February 26th, 2023
12:36pm
Ecclesiastes 3:6
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
Lord, as this pen moves across these white lines may your words set this page on fire. May your truth give us a deeper understanding of why it is so important for one not to hang on to unnecessary baggage and reach for the freedom that can only be found in you. Help us not to get complacent but get desperate like the woman who had the issue of blood in Luke 8:43-44.
Luke 8:43-44
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
There is this Apostle named Dr. Matthew Stevenson that I watch from time to time. I have heard him say on a couple of occasions that sometimes your breakthrough can come in different atmospheres. I was given the great opportunity to volunteer at a Woman conference called “Galentine Vibes”. The Conference was for two days but I started to receive blessings on Thursday night when I was asked to help with the task of helping fill the gift bags. One reason I was blessed is that I was surrounded by other Christlike individuals who all wanted to see the Lord’s will be done Matthew 6:10. Last week I spoke about the importance of having hands available when doing the Lord’s will. Because when called to do a thing often it requires somebody to come alongside and assist with the movement. Moses had Joshua on the ground and Hur and Aaron on each side of him when they battle against the Amalekites which can be read in Exodus 17:8:14. I have never served like this before in a church setting but I’m glad God opened the door for this opportunity because not only did I walk away from old baggage and being set free but also with a greater understanding that we need to walk side by side while doing the work of the Lord. Nothing comes easy but the reward is great, especially when you have a great surrounded by Individuals who want to see God’s Kingdom come and his will be done in your life.
John 3:1-3
3 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth: unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Baggage, we all have it or have had it at one point and time. I think that one of the greatest steps that the Lord has been walking me through is learning when to let it go. We carry it like it is a badge of honor but it hinders us from the place we are to go some places require no carry-on.
Luke 9:3
He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.
Lord, I am asking in the name of your son King Jesus that the Blood that was shed on Calvary sanctify our minds as we continue to walk out your purpose. Reminding us that when we go where you have directed that we need not carry anything but you and in doing so all will be provided.
Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Atmosphere changes are vital for one to be stretched, and sometimes it may not be the physical room but your posture before the Lord. I can understand why one might not like this because let’s be honest who likes being uncomfortable? But it is at that moment that I believe God demonstrates what he spoke of in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that his strength is made perfect in our weakness and as quoted underneath with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
At the conference, so much of God’s presence could be felt. I had the opportunity to walk and talk with another woman while they shared their journey with God and how he has helped them. While sharing mine I talked about my blog and learning to cope with the passing of my son. I was presented with the question of why I would write from a place of death when God has called me to live and write more abundantly. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is of the Flesh: and that which is born of the spirit is born of the Spirit. When I gave my life to Christ almost 9 years ago I made the Distinctive Decision to follow after God, which meant leaving my old ways and thought processes behind. The way that the world says to do things. I have been growing in my walk with God about letting go of things that have caused me pain and dwelling on the things that he brought into my life such as Love, peace, and Joy. I share at the beginning of the year how the Lord has been talking to me about a new thing.
Isaiah 43:19-20
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.20 The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
To do this I have to be willing to listen when spoken to, but also allow him to carry my past. The word Cope means to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties. I have been doing this, not realizing the next step is walking out of the freedom that Jesus died for. Joshua is gone, and it hurts but I deserve to heal from this. During one of the breakout worship sessions, I began to pray and tell God how I was angry with him. I cried so hard that my lashes fell off, but it was in his presence that I came boldly before his throne of grace and obtain the mercy and grace that was needed at that moment. I received his truth and let go of the lie-rejecting proud obstacle that was trying to keep me from knowing God and just like that he lifted my burden. The heaviness that I had been carrying was gone I will continue to walk out this process through fasting and prayer.
Matthew 17:21
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
So, what are my takeaways from this whole experience if one was to ask?
- Do not let the enemy’s chains keep you bound because there is healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18.
- Walk in the abundant life that Jesus came to give me (John 10:10 and that Jesus is greater than any the world has thrown at me (1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Freedom, Freedom, Freedom
2 Corinthians 3:17
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
1 Peter 5:7
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I also want to draw your attention to someone that the Lord just spoke to me and that is that we need to serve/volunteer and not be concerned about receiving money for a deed. In john 13:1-17 Jesus washed his disciple’s feed and told them in verse 7 (Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Jesus is our great example and we are to follow after that no matter what the world thinks, I pray that this will help someone.
Closing Prayer
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. God, I thank you for the opportunity to experience your love on a deeper level this weekend. Chained I came, but free I left and it is all because of you. Lord, help us surrender our baggage to you in prayer because your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Teach us that letting go is a never-ending process and also that we should never feel guilty about doing so. I also pray that I and anybody else needing this prayer will learn how to submit while remaining steadfast under pressure. I pray in the name of Jesus that we will remember that our worship is a weapon, and some things only go and stay gone but prayer and fasting.
The sang of the week is sung Group called We will worship and it is called “I belong to you”
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