God granted me the AWESOME opportunity to speak to some beautiful ladies in the Upstate (South Carolina) this past Monday night!!
I was able to share the LOVE of my Savior, The Ultimate Valentine on the eve of Valentine’s Day...as I also shared my testimony and how He has seen me through times of trouble and trial.
I promised the ladies that I would post some of the scriptures that I used during these struggles… to encourage me… keep me strong, and close to Jesus… so that they would have them in their “arsenal” as well.
Without further ado….
Isaiah 61:1-3 (Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted and set the captives free!!)
There was also a quote that I shared by James Boice that I have written on an index card, posted above my computer… to remind me daily that…
“The God of the Bible is not weak; He is strong. He is all-mighty. Nothing happens without His permission or apart from His purposes – even evil. Nothing disturbs or puzzles Him. His purposes are always accomplished. Therefore those who know Him rightly act with boldness, assured that God is with them to accomplish his own desirable purposes in their lives.”
For even more encouraging scriptures and quotes, you can also access my story in three separate blog posts found HERE.
Thank you SO MUCH to my Sweet Friend Amy Hickman and LifeSong Church for making me feel so welcome and loved!! You guys are SUPER-DUPER SPECIAL!!!!!
Whew!! This “Mama Thang” can just about wear you flat out, can’t it??
Between the boisterous play of two strapping boys, and the complete “diva meltdowns” of a pre-teen daughter, sometimes I don’t know whether to scratch my watch or wind my rear-end!
But have no fear!! The fabulous Lysa TerKeurst is offering out some life-lines for us frazzled Moms!
Check out her blog post here, or click on any link below to take you directly to the encouragement you need!
Also, if you haven’t already, subscribe to her feed so you can get daily emails. I really look forward to her wisdom and insight each day… She is REAL, and very humble and humorous in her writing.
So what are you waiting for?? We are in the trenches people!! Grab reinforcements so we can get back out there and WIN this battle for our children!!
Upward and onward we go! Let me hear you say it… “Hoo-rah”!!!!
I’ve been awake for a little more than two hours now, and already this day has been FANTABULOUS!!! I just have to share what God did this morning…
Some of you, who know me well, know that I have REALLY been struggling over the last couple of months. I have let chains (that I’ve already been freed from in the past) re-shackle me and keep me down in the dumps… held captive once again.
I find it interesting that as my goal in life is to be TRULY CAPTIVATING… basking in His Glory… Satan takes that very word (as he always does, for he is a liar and the father of lies) and twists it… reforms it… and leaves it simply CAPTIVE… because that is his desire for me.
My mother has told me all my life that if I were to ever TRULY KNOW the JOY my salvation, Satan would cower… quiver in his boots. Which is why he seeks to keep me defeated and render me useless for the Kingdom.
Well… NO MORE!!
As I was studying Ephesians 1:7-10 this morning, The Son appeared to me and SET ME FREE!!!
(Here is the entry in my SOAP Journal from this morning…)
SCRIPTURE:
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV)
Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence), Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, (Ephesians 1:8, 9 AMP)
OBSERVATION: God has freely given me salvation through his Son Jesus. He has blessed me with abundant grace, which brings me freedom and knowledge of his plans for me. I(likeALL things) am to be made complete in Christ. Why? Because it brings Him pleasure… and because He loves me!
APPLICATION: Accept the gift! Open it! Treasure it! Wallow in it!! I am FORGIVEN and FREE... I need to stop shackling (and re-shackling) myself in chains of bondage. Chains of remorse, regret and shame... the Son has set me free, so I am FREE indeed! I am to be made complete in Christ. Allow him to work and reign. Stop trying to perfect myself. Rest in the abundant grace of Jesus!
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I am so sorry! I've been walking around like in defeat as if your work on the cross (defeating death, hell, and the grave) doesn't matter! You have chosen me, forgiven me, and destined me! Please help me accept that. Stop trying to earn it and just receive it!! God I surrender my whole heart to you.. Right now. All of the places and spaces that I have locked up and kept beyond reach, or hidden out of the way, I ask you now to open and fill! Fill with your presence! Your love! Your grace! In you I am being made complete! You have awesome plans (still) for my life! You are not done with me... Not until I have taken my last breath and returned home to you. Help me Jesus to be secure in that! Work in me... Move in me! I am yours!! I LOVE YOU, JESUS!!
I don’t usually post my Bible Study Notes for the world to see, but today, I am. Today I will shout it to the roof-tops!!
“My chains are gone! I’ve been set free!! My God, My Savior has ransomed me! And like a flood, His mercy reigns… Unending Love… Amazing Grace!!
