Freedom Walk

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Are you as free as you can be?

As Christians, we profess to be free from death, sin, and the grave.

Free from eternal damnation.

And yes, that would be correct.

As a Christian, you have placed your trust in Jesus, and He has paid the penalty for your sin.

So, yes, technically, you are free from all of the above.

But what about freedom as we step upon this earth?

Are you walking as if you are free?

Just because you are free from the penalty of sin, does not mean you are free from its effects.

Do you feel pitiful and ugly when someone ignores you?

Do you feel a rush of anger when someone wrongs you?

Do you feel sarcastic while belittling someone who doesn’t understand you right away?

Do you put others down, lifting yourself up instead?

Do you put your needs first, serving your number one above all else?

Do you refuse to look at life through the lens of another, wanting your way instead?

How are you at listening?

Or, gasp, asking for forgiveness when you are wrong?

How are you at even admitting you are wrong?

Do you help others before asked?

Leave the room better than before you walked in?

When we do not clothe ourselves with the fruits of the spirit, walking as Jesus did, we are not free.

When we jump to satisfy ourselves over others, we are not free.

When we listen to lies in our head, we are not free.

When we become defeated in our many mistakes, we are not free.

Only with the power of God, can we break the chains that bind us.

Speak Jesus’ name over what binds you.

Over your flesh that speaks louder than your spirit.

Cancel the enemy’s assignments and send it to the dry desert.

Ask Jesus to cover you with His wisdom, power, strength, and joy.

And remember, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.

That, my friends, is freedom.

Photos by Michael BaccinRikke HembreAnita Austvika, & Olivia Snow on Unsplash

Whispering Dark Thoughts

The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, is upset.

He’s a champion for the dark side.

Here is his rant.

I am discouraged. First the overturn of Roe vs Wade.

Good grief, it was so utterly easy deceiving Americans for almost 50 years now.

Guess we relaxed our efforts too much, thinking the law would never change.

Who would have thought those Christian prayers would ever really help?

I sure didn’t. Especially not after this long.

Time to work on the states. Surely most will keep choosing death. They think it’s a choice, but I know the truth.

What? The court decided coaches can now pray after a public school game?

On the field? In public? Like out in the open? Are they crazy?

Need to ramp up the violence. Let’s concentrate on the cities with less police protection.

What about the Christians? I’m not worried. I know how to get them.

Let’s take him over there.

I know him well. He looks spiritual, but underneath, he’s a mess.

He’s full of self-pity, one of my favorites. Tends to affect him every night about 7pm.

Becomes morose thinking of his family. I know how to stoke that.

Sometimes, he doesn’t crumble under the lies, because he prays, bringing the power of God into the room.

Not tonight. I got this.

Look – he’s thinking of his family. I’m going to plant a doubt, telling him they don’t care a whit about him.

Neither does his wife. Good. He’s quite upset. Perfect.

Let’s keep going, as this is quite fun.

I’ll whisper, ‘You’re nothing. You’re old and it’s almost over anyway, so what does it matter…’

Haha, good. He bought it. Closed his eyes and tried to escape.

He’s done for the night. Who else can I torment? Time’s wasting.

Now we will peak into his evening as the demon in charge, whose name escapes me, determines the next assignment.

“Who’s got her?” shouted the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.

“I have her, sir,” answered a tiny demon with a large voice.

“Excellent, #2”, replied the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.

“Want me to apply the usual tools, sir?” asked the tiny demon with the large voice.

“Yes, #2. Full report when you are done,” answered the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.

Running to the girl, demon #2 assessed the situation.

He saw her sitting at the table, heads in her hands. It was late. He saw no one else up.

“Fabulous!! She’s staying up past her children and husband. She’s all alone, ready for my thoughts,” declared demon #2 with a large voice, although he whispered not wanting to disturb her.

Whispering into her head, demon #2 said, “You’re right. No one ever cares. Certainly not your family. They couldn’t care less about you. You might as well leave. Would they even notice your absence? They could live totally fine without you. You are not needed. You are useless. You are stupid.”

Sitting back, demon #2 witnessed her reaction. While the words began to take affect, she started to cry. Confirming the lies from demon #2, she agreed with his words, blowing her nose from the tears, which were beginning to flow from her weepy eyes.

The angels were stirred. Immediately, they circled her, knowing her heart and loyalty to God. They began to whisper God’s truth, combating every lie from demon #2.

Demon #2 sat up, scared. “Crap, they are negating my lies.” Immediately, he began to whisper more lies into her head.

Suddenly, the girl was aware of two trains of thoughts entering her head: the angels and demon #2.

Burring her face into her hands, demon #2 thought he had won. He started to celebrate, a smile erupting on his ugly face.

All of a sudden, the girl yelled, “NO.” She began agreeing with the angels, opening her bible to read. Her lips declared the name above all names, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

Demon #2 shrank back in fear, recoiling from that powerful name.

Immediately, he ran back to his nest, more comfortable among the evil comrades.

“Back so soon?” asked the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. That demon was certain of demon #2’s triumph.

Shuttering in fear, demon #2 replied, “Sir, she was helped by the angels from On High. They came and I didn’t know what to do. She began agreeing with them. And sir…she even declared that name. Jesus.”

“NOOOO,” cried the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. “Next time, I will personally accompany you. We must not let that girl out of our grip. She’s too important. Her mission from God MUST be accosted no matter what. Do you understand me?” He roared in anger.

And that ends our story. Demon #2 went on to worry about the next assignment. The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, went on a giant rant for a long time, certain to pull out all stops the next time he could encounter the girl.

The girl remained in her home, unaware, or partly aware of the spiritual battle swirling around her. Knowing she needed to remain whole, she began to pray deep in her heart, wanting to remain always loyal to Him, deciding from then on to listen closely only to His voice.

Are you loyal to Him? What might the dark side say to you when visiting your thoughts? Will you choose to believe God’s truth today and always?

Photos by Chris Barbalis, David Gabrić, Duncan Sanchez, Timeo Buehrer, Noah Silliman, & Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Longing

May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! Psalm 20:4

What is the longing of your heart?

The deep down longing?

To win the lottery?

To get married?

To make it through the day?

How bout to know God?

To know the living God, who made ALL things?

He wants to know you.

In fact, He already does.

Inside and out.

All those ugly things you don’t like to talk about?

He already knows.

All those deep dark fears, thinking you’re really not good enough?

He knows.

He sees your future fears.

He sees your past regrets.

He sees your broken heart.

He sees everything.

And you know what?

He still loves you.

Not only that, but He longs to have a relationship with you.

Jesus longs to fill your voids, canceling your debt upon your back.

Sometimes Christians keep their burdens.

We know we are saved, but we hold onto the things we regret.

We hold onto the things we wished were different.

Bitterness.

Anger.

Fear.

Unloving.

We hold onto it all.

But guess what?

God knows it all.

Every little thing.

And He still wants you fully as you are.

Come unto Him, lay down your everything, including that secret fear you’ve held for your entire life.

Might be scary, but it’s worth it.

Know why?

Because God, who knows the beginning from the end, will take your fear and hold it for you.

He will hold it.

When He holds it, it becomes love.

Your fear becomes perfect, because God is perfect.

He rights wrongs.

He cancels sin.

He creates beauty from ashes.

What are you waiting for?

Run to Him.

Submit, and give Him EVERYTHING.

In return, He will give you His peace.

His perfect peace.

There is nothing in this world that compares.

Nothing.

Photos by Vadym Lebedych on Unsplash