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For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT Are you like me? For years I really didn’t understand what freedom was. I could understand it in the physical sense, that is when a prisoner is released from prison, or in a political sense, as when someone is free to worship God in their country. But, even though those are important, they didn’t really resonate with me.
It was only when the Lord began to take me on the journey of healing my soul and spirit that I came to understand that I had been imprisoned, held captive by fear, unforgiveness, false beliefs, cursing words, vows that I had made and generational darkness. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul writes about the “veil” being taken away. It was by grace, in prayer, that the Holy Spirit came into my life, my heart and my mind, and as I allowed him to work, he removed the veil of deception and darkness so that I could recognize and understand that God really loved me and I had a choice to stay in darkness or run to the light of his presence. I began a process in which the Spirit entered a new area and began to cleanse and restore. I am sure there is still much work to be done. But now, I embrace that work in me, seeing the result and experiencing true freedom. I am free from the old things that held me down and strangled my spirit and my soul. I am free to reach for more of God, his love and ways, and to become more of who he created me to be. Have you experienced true freedom? Do you want more? Don’t be shy. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and guide you into his healing presence. Seek a trustworthy person who can pray with you. Receive the truth that will set you free. The Holy Spirit is the life-giving Spirit. Be free to receive more life! Pray with me: “Father God, I believe that in Jesus Christ, I have access to true freedom. Holy Spirit, I want more of you and your life-giving presence in my life. Come and heal me and set me free. Lead me to a person who can walk beside me in this healing journey. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.” Dear friend, be blessed as you trust that God wants to give you true freedom. May your spiritual eyes be open to the light and may you be given the faith and courage to pursue more freedom in the presence of our life-giving Spirit. Amen. Mary Sumner October 25, 2018
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Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT There are days when things have been very difficult. We, or a loved one, get a bad prognosis from the doctor, we suffer a financial setback, we endure a hurricane or earthquake that leaves us on the edge of survival or we feel helpless as our child suffers. We have heard that God is working in our situation, and in us, for our good, but we internally shout, like little children, “Aren’t we there yet, Daddy?” God’s love for us motivates his working to make us more beautiful and holy. He is preparing us for Heaven. But, if we are honest, some days we think, “Please, don’t love me so much!”
In John 5:17 we find Jesus’ comment, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” As believers in Jesus, God’s Word in Romans 8:28 tells us that the Father is always working everything in our lives for our good according to his purposes. We are told that Jesus is constantly battling for us, and interceding on our behalf before the Father. God the Holy Spirit is continually working IN us, to purify us and realign us with God’s original plans and design. And we have the promise of Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” And our part? Like little children, we obediently get into our Father’s “car”, the life he has planned for us before the beginning of time. We learn all we can as we travel through it, and trust that Daddy knows best and will get us there safely. We gradually understand that during the “car time” with our God, we are growing to know him better and growing in our love for him, and in our ability to receive his grace and peace. When we least expect it, we will reach our destination. So, let’s be ready! Pray with me: “Father God, forgive me for sometimes grumbling and complaining. I choose to trust in the truth that, even in the hard times, you are working in and around me for my good. I release all control to you and fall into your loving care. Teach me to love you and trust you more. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.” Dear friend, be blessed as you discern God’s hand in your life. As you understand where he is working, be blessed to join him and grow in joy as you partner in his work. May the Lord provide all that you need for your journey. Amen. Mary Sumner October 19, 2018 And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Isaiah 44:3,4 NLT This may sound crazy, but the Holy Spirit sometimes communicates to me by the times I see on a digital clock. Has that happened to you? The times represent Bible verses that he uses to tell me something. Recently, our adult son hit a rough spot, and I have been thinking about him. At the same time, I have repeatedly noticed 4:44 on the clocks in our home. I sensed I was to look in the book of Isaiah, and when I hit Isaiah 44:3,4, I just knew that was what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me.
It reads, “And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.” Wow! What an awesome promise. What especially jumped out was the word “thrive”. God promises that our children will thrive, not just survive. Our God is so good! Then I remembered that he had given that same passage to me before. I sometimes need to remind myself how much Father God loves our children and grandchildren. And he has a unique and good plan for each of their lives. Of course, just like us, they can mess it up and wander off course. But God is so faithful! He is always there when they ask for help to pull them back on target and protect them. I am a visual thinker. It helps when God gives me a picture of something that communicates a spiritual reality. One such helpful visualization is when I release my children and grandchildren to Jesus. I literally see my children going to Jesus as I name each one, telling Jesus that I am trusting that child with him, for him to protect and guide. When I do that, the children are so happy to be with Jesus! And Jesus is always smiling and loving on them. It gives me real peace. If you are like me, and tend to worry about your children or grandchildren, why not try that visualization? Then, the trick is to leave them with Jesus, and trust him to continue his care and protection. Don’t take them back! Jesus does a much better job of it than we could ever hope to do. Pray with me: Father God, forgive me when I fall into worry and forget to trust you. Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done for me and my family on the Cross. You love us and only want what is best for us. Please, continue to commission your holy angels to watch over us. Please, protect us from sickness, danger and harm and any retaliation or retribution of the enemy. Hide us under your wings, In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.” Dear friend. be blessed with much peace as you trust that whatever and whoever in your family that you entrust to Jesus, he will care for as his own. We are the sheep of his pasture, and he carries his little lambs close to his heart. Receive the peace that comes with living in his arms. Amen. Mary Sumner October 12, 2018 |
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