Originally posted 2017-07-28 22:10:44.
Hi!
Well it is countdown Day-25! Right now I’m thinking about a time in my life, before I surrendered to the Lord. My sister, Angie and I were living together in the upstairs flat of our childhood home. Our children were very young. No one in the house was living saved. I remember sitting at the dining room table; drinking a forty ounce Mickey’s.
The cassette player was blasting. In my drunken state, I was listening to The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s, “I Got My Mind Made Up To Serve The Lord;” Anita Baker’s, “Same Ole Love;” and Shirley Caesar’s, “Go.” There was a war going on in my spirit, heart and mind; between secular and gospel.
I sat at that polished cherry wood table; crying and hurting from missing my mother. At the time, I was a single mother; with two children. I had run for my life from my children’s father three years before that day; and I thought I was in love with my new beau. Yet I still agonized over my mother being on the run; gone; vanished; poof. I desperately wanted to be saved; but I didn’t know how. So, beer and liquor were my refuge.
Now, don’t you judge me!
We all willfully sinned in some form or fashion; before we started living saved. Your sin might be different from my sin. But ALL unrighteousness is sin. The point here, is that, I’m living for the Lord now. The scripture says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
And for all who wonder where the Bible talks about, “Come as you are;” here is a text with that thought: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 KJV)
Another text to think about: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” (Joel 2:32 KJV)
Anyway! Back to the Point!
It was three more years and another child later; before I surrendered; and told God, “Yes.” Now that I think about it; God heard my cry while I lived a sin filled life. He reached down in the midst of my mess; and pulled me out. He answered my prayer. He’s such a promise keeper.
When my mother left; I asked God to save me. Today, nearly 30 years later; here I am; saved, sanctified, and filled with the precious Holy Ghost. It’s been 24 years since I repented and surrendered to the Lord Jesus as my Lord and savior; and I’m so glad. Praise God!
WAIT! I know what the word is today.
It’s “Freedom!” Wow! In the midst of trying circumstances and health challenges; “Freedom,” rings loud.
My friends, have you ever looked back over your life; and, “Thank you Jesus,” burst forward? Did you feel like singing the song, “Look where He brought me from! Look where He brought me from! He brought me out of darkness; into the marvelous light. Look where he brought me from?” Don’t you agree; that surges of appreciation result from “Freedom?”
Think about it. When you take a retrospective look at how God brought you through some imprisoning times; don’t you feel lighter? That’s “Freedom!” Being bound does not always mean being behind physical bars. Life’s struggles can lock you up; if you let them. That is why it is such a wonderful thing to walk in freedom. Broken chains! Hallelujah!
There are so many people, places, situations, states of mind, and things to break free from.
This is only a smidgen of them: Free from bad or abusive relationships. Free from limiting jobs. Free from poverty. Free from jealousy, strife, envy, low self-esteem, haughtiness, pessimism, negativity, laziness, confusion, fear, and insecurity. Free from impatience. Free from indecisiveness. Free from an attitude problem. Free from self sabotaging; self-pity; and self-hatred. Free from starting things; and not finishing them. Free from being overly sensitive. Free from worrying about what people think of you. Free from being a people pleaser. Free from self-imposed hindering walls. Free from depression. Free from, “I can’t.” Free from unbelief; doubt; lack of trust; and lack of faith. FREEDOM!
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV)
Wow! God is so gracious. He placed it on the heart of a childhood classmate who I reconnected with a couple of years or so ago; to tag me on a Facebook post today. The timely post has a short encouraging video of a woman with an awesome voice, singing lines from a liberating song. She sang, “It won’t always be like this. The Lord will perfect that concerning me. And sooner or later, it will turn in my favor. Sooner or later it will work in your favor. Sooner or later it will work in my favor. It’s turning around for me.” Praise God! Thank you DB. I receive it; and declare it.
Well my friends; today’s writing is at its close. I can think of so many layers peeled off today. The main layer peeled back today is sadness. I’m sure there are multiple layers of sadness; but, exposing and extinguishing one at a time is great. Praise God!
This journey is liberating. Puts me in mind of the exhilarating feeling of “Freedom,” that comes with horseback riding. I’m looking forward to Day-24.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you are enjoying your journey. I’ll leave you with: “How do you remember God’s personal promises to you?” We’ll talk soon.
Blessings!
Rochelle
