Freedom (18)

CoViD-19 and Lent

Pray for wisdom for those in leadership as they make decisions on what precautions to take and how to respond as COVID-19 has been spreading throughout the region.


Pray for conversations with locals about the fear and anxiety many have towards this illness and its spread.  Pray that those in the Arabian Peninsula would recognize that they are not immune to the brokenness of the world. Pray that they would be pointed to their need for a savior as their sense of security is broken. 

Outwardly, lent can appear similar to fasting our friends do during Ramadan.  Pray for opportunities to share about the meaning and purpose of lent.  Ask for wisdom in sharing how lent is different than Ramadan and about fasting in the Christian context.  Pray that locals would be drawn to the freedom found in Jesus and the personal relationship we have with the Father.

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CoViD-19 and Lent

Pray for wisdom for those in leadership as they make decisions on what precautions to take and how to respond as COVID-19 has been spreading throughout the region.


Pray for conversations with locals about the fear and anxiety many have towards this illness and its spread.  Pray that those in the Arabian Peninsula would recognize that they are not immune to the brokenness of the world. Pray that they would be pointed to their need for a savior as their sense of security is broken. 

Outwardly, lent can appear similar to fasting our friends do during Ramadan.  Pray for opportunities to share about the meaning and purpose of lent.  Ask for wisdom in sharing how lent is different than Ramadan and about fasting in the Christian context.  Pray that locals would be drawn to the freedom found in Jesus and the personal relationship we have with the Father.

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God's Chosen Fast

Fasting from all, one day at a time.

The body grows weak, dreams come to mind.

All food abandoned, an annual fast.

We’re seeking forgiveness and healing that lasts.

 

Forty days pass, like Jesus I fast.

Temptations and trials start to attack.

Breakthrough will come, if only I win.

Could fasting help us all overcome sin?

 

Abstaining from pleasure, I walk Daniel’s path:

Rich foods forgotten, in this partial fast.

I yearn for my homeland: a vision revealed.

The future unfolds; the Scripture unsealed.

 

Demons must flee, as I starve my old flesh.

Evil must leave! I passed the test!

Mercy increases, I yearn to be right.

The journey’s been long, but the end is in sight.

 

Transform my hunger to faith in the Lord.

Refraining from comfort as I bear the Sword

Of the Spirit to vanquish my foe and pierce

Through the dark: no lusts, no pride, and no fears.

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Here is a testimony and request for prayer from an expat believer in Qatar. Let's pray for Qatar this week, that the Lord will tear down the spiritual walls that keep the Qatari people from knowing Jesus!
 
The Walls Speak
As we drive through Qatar, tall walls are seen encompassing residential housing buildings often far away from the city. These tall walls remind us of the huge fortresses that used to protect these cities in the ancient past. The Arab Gulf is famous for many such fortresses that prevented enemies from entering their territory. It also built watch towers to look out for such enemies.
 
These tall, walled buildings often belong to Qatari families. They are close-knit families who would like to stay private and maintain their family bonds. In addition, tall walls of these homes have something beyond their physical structure. They picture the spiritual barriers that the enemy has erected, preventing the love of God to reach the hearts of the Qataris. We see these traps of the enemy every day and so want to see Qataris set free by God's love and truth.
 
The Bible speaks of a great wall that protected the city of Jericho. The enemy was defeated under the leadership of Joshua. The walls came down miraculously without physical effort. Rahab, the harlot, was also rescued from that city. This is a story of God's redemption and victory. No matter how huge the walls were, He could provide victory and redeem doomed lives.
 
There are lives like those of Rahab trapped in Qatar behind those walls. They need redemption and victory over the evil one. There is a great responsibility for those who know the truth to get behind those walls even if it is difficult and get the good news of salvation to those needy ones. As the Bible says "....The battle belongs to the Lord" (1 Samuel 17:47). Through our own effort, we are not able to be victorious over these barriers in Qatar.
 
Let us trust in the Lord just like Joshua and march around these walls having faith that the Lord will bring them down for us. The tall walls continue to speak to us and they need an answer. Will you be able to hear God's voice and march ahead with His message of love through your prayers?

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
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Prayer Requests - April 15, 2019

Pray for many to gain access to the Word. Pray they will be irresistibly drawn to read and their eyes and ears will be open to the truth and the Father's love. Ask for someone to come alongside them who can help explain the way to salvation and answer their questions.

Women in prisons are coming to believe in the Lord. Pray for continued opportunities for provision of clothes, toiletries, and copies of the Word. Ask for a spiritual breakthrough among these women. They are poorly treated; some don't deserve to be in prison, so pray for their freedom as well.

Pray for open doors for ministry in the marketplace. Ask that businesses run by believers will thrive and locals will be attracted to these places. Pray for divine appointments and discipleship opportunities through these establishments.

Adoption used to be looked down upon, but there have been open doors for locals to start adopting. It's normally considered shameful in the culture, so please pray that hearts continue to open to this need so that orphans can find a home. And may the Lord be at work in each of these homes to draw these families into his kingdom.
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He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. - Psalm 113: 7,8
November 10, 2018
 
Dear Praying Friends,

November 10 is the International Day of Prayer for Yemen when Christians around the world will be uniting to pray for Yemen.  As you know, PTAP has been encouraging much prayer for Yemen due to the immense suffering of the Yemeni people from the horrors of war, resulting in the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today.  So please join us in prayer again, united in the Spirit as one body of Christ, for God to have mercy upon the people and country of Yemen.  

Most of all, pray for the end of the civil war!!!  Pray for successful negotiations and a resulting ceasefire.  Pray for all fighting and killing to stop. Pray against famine and cholera and all disease.  Pray for all humanitarian efforts to be successful. Pray for normal life to return so that the country can start to heal and prosper again.  
Below are links to resources to help you pray.  Also, we recommend the following:
  1. Spend a dedicated time of personal, focused prayer for Yemen.
  2. Fast if possible.
  3. Lead your family, small group, church, etc. in a time of corporate, focused prayer.
  4. Share on social media that November 1o is the International Day of Prayer for Yemen and encourage your friends to pray.
PTAP's Yemen page:  http://prayforap.com/yemen.html
Pray4Yemen:  pray4yemen.com
PTAP's Facebook:  facebook.com/PRAYTAP 
PTAP's Prayermate mobile app:  http://praynow4.org/arabianpeninsula


Here is a short testimony from a Yemeni believer and also recent prayer requests from Yemeni believers themselves.  Let's pray along with our brothers and sisters. They are greatly encouraged when they know that we are praying with them.  

My story
"I used to live with fear and hatred, and I was tired of living this way.  It made me sick. So one day, I fervently prayed to God to free me from this unrighteousness, and God sent me a brother who was actually my neighbor.  He spoke to me about Christ. I saw Christ in his life. God gave me freedom like I have never experienced before.
Now, when I encounter challenges (people of another faith who want to harm me and give me trouble), the only thing I have to give them is love, joy, peace, patience, and reassurance in Christ.  No more fear, no more hatred.  I have complete freedom. I can now trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because He lives in me."
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This year, Ramadan begins on approximately May 15 (depending on the moon). During the 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims will be fasting and praying. During the month of Ramadan, PTAP will be sending weekly prayers highlighting specific groups and/or events.

The 2 million Shia of Saudi Arabia represent one of the most unreached peoples of the world. As a small minority group within a conservative Sunni community, the Shi'a... in Saudi Arabia have endured hundreds of years of hardship and discrimination. Let us pray on behalf of the Shia people, that they would seek and find true freedom and peace in Christ. Let us also pray that the Lord would prepare workers to engage them.

More information on the Shi'a of Saudi Arabia can be found in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWn1W2Zl3w&feature=youtu.be

More information is in this PDF:
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp…

Prayer Requests:

•That the Gospel would take hold of their communities, and that the Spirit of God would move mightily among their families and tribes
•For a spirit of childlike humility and repentance to displace pride and hardness of heart
•That the Shi'a of Saudi Arabia would seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, even above their own welfare and political freedoms
•For a spirit of righteousness and justice to flood through their homes, communities, and the Saudi government
•For peace to reign in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. That they would know Christ as the Prince of Peace
•That the Lord would raise up many workers to sow and to harvest the Gospel among the Shi'a of Saudi Arabia

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PTAP: Faltering steps forward

A young woman who has been reading the Word has been called back to her village by her father who wants her to become the second wife of a man who already has children. It would mean dropping out of school and being trapped in a life she doesn't want. After an attempt to reason with her father, he has given her the ultimatum of marrying or quitting school, getting a job in the village and turning all her income over to him. Please intercede for her freedom, not only from this undesirable situation but that she will be free to pursue her desire to know more about Jesus.

Please pray for "Jennifer" whom we have prayed for in the past.  She is the local woman who is suffering from the effects of black magic.  The good news is that her believing friends continue to love her and share the gospel with her.  The bad news is that she has been moving away from them recently.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to work in her life, bringing her back to her friends so that the light of Christ would continue to shine in her dark life.  Pray that the Father would speak to her through the Bible which she owns and also through dreams of Christ which she has had in the past.  Let's continue to pray for her salvation!

Also pray for a local man in the same country as Jennifer who is reading the Bible with a believer. This is a big step and an answer to prayer after many years of prayer for this man.  Both of these locals need the Holy Spirit to break through and change their hearts and minds completely.  Pray that God would do so.
 
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Thank you for praying over cities in the Arabian Peninsula!
 
With Jizan, Saudi Arabia, we have come to the end of praying for key cities throughout the AP.  We started 16 months ago by praying for one city per month.  We started with Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia and have now concluded with Jizan.
 
Thank you so much for praying for these cities!  God has heard and has already answered our prayers by recently sending laborers to several of these cities where there were none before.  This is a big answer to prayer.  The harvest is there and the laborers have been sent.  Let's keep praying for more laborers for the harvest."
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Day 2 - August 31, 2017
Sacred Act 2: Wuqoof (standing at Arafat)
Today is the most important day of the Hajj. Why? Because Muslim scholars say this is the "day the religion of Islam was perfected." The Hajj only becomes valid when the day of Wuqoof is observed. For it is on this day Muslims believe their major and minor sins are forgiven.* If they miss this day, their pilgrimage is pointless. Today, they will invoke Allah for mercy and forgiveness as they stand or sit near Mount Arafat. Muslims believe that as they finish this day they are cleansed of sin,* which also brings freedom from shame. At sunset, a cannon sounds. Pilgrims leave Mount Arafat going to Muzdalifah, where they sleep or stay up all night under the stars.
Key Scriptures to Pray
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
He [Jesus Christ] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:42-43)
Going before the Father
◦Muslim pilgrims long for their major and minor sins to be removed from their lives. John the Baptist's words cry out that Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Pray that Muslims would not feel a cleansed heart, mind and soul until they realize the finished work that Jesus has accomplished on their behalf.
◦God appointed Jesus to be judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. Pray that the truth of the Lord Jesus' life, death and resurrection would penetrate the hearts of longing Muslims. Pray they will be drawn to the Giver of Life.
◦Pray that as many Muslims seek to stay up all night to pray, they would have dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17). Ask God for an open heaven and for the people who are genuinely seeking an encounter with God to have one that leads them to the incredible truth found in Jesus.
What does the Bible say?
* The Bible talks about sins being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:7
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WITH THANKSGIVING

know Thanksgiving is over. Most of us have already unpacked Christmas decorations, and begun preparations for the biggest holiday of the year. But I would like to suggest that we hold on to the Thanksgiving holiday a little longer. In fact, I think we should continue to celebrate it 365 days a year.

Let me draw your attention to a Scripture passage that is so rich that all of you are familiar with it. Philippians 4:6 reads,

"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known unto God."

This verse clearly teaches that we are to give thanks as we let our requests be known. You might well ask why would we not wait until we see God's answer before we start saying thank you. The Scripture offers such thanksgiving as a statement of faith. But I have had prayers answered with, "no." Haven't you. In fact, some of those I have in time thanked God that He didn't answer them the way I wanted when I prayed. John 15:7-8 gives us this promise of prayer.

"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples."

I strive to discern His words and will for my prayers. I know that is the only way I can bear spiritual fruit. I also find a wonderful freedom in this promise. I can pray in confidence trusting God to keep me from praying mountains on top of your house or my own.

I also find a great joy giving thanks to God as I pray that He is at work in the most difficult or fearful situation that I pray for, even if I am unsure or mistaken about how He should answer.

So join me in continuing our Thanksgiving all year long. It is a wonderful celebration with or without the turkey.

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://daveswatch.com/index.html

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

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ONE FATHER

In Matthew 23:9 Jesus spoke these words.

"And call no man your father on earth,

for you have one Father who is in heaven."

It is terribly important to grasp this truth. This is at the heart of the gospel. And the gospel is the heart of Christian theology. When Jesus instructed us to pray to God as our Father, and when Paul said God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, "Abba, Father," the pattern was set for our relationship with God. We are born again into His family, into His embrace.

When I recognize God as my Father, I admit that He is the source of all that I have and all that I am. He brought about my spiritual birth. He suffered all the labor pains. He's covering the cost.

I am physically the product of my parents combined DNA. Even that was determined by God. He determined when and where I would be born. He decided who my parents would be.  More than that, He has determined my spiritual gifts for His great purposes. He plants His spiritual DNA, in me.

He is developing His character in me. When I was a child my earthly father worked with me to develop my character. The summer before my final year of high school I went to work on a farm in a different state, hundreds of miles away. All that spring Dad was obvious in his purpose of developing my character. He did that because he loved me. He also let me know he was proud of me even though he was often frustrated at how slow I was to apply what he was trying to teach me. Knowing God is my Father leads me to submit to Him. It gives me a hunger to spend time with Him in prayer, Bible study, service, and obedience, so He can graft His nature into my heart.

Knowing God is my Father helps me trust Him to provide my needs. If the God of the universe is my Father, I can be at peace about my needs. More than that I can grow in the joy of His generosity. As God prompts me to give more and more, I can enjoy it, trusting Him to provide. If God is my Father, I can risk everything in the adventure of His purpose. My Heavenly Father will take care of me in and even beyond this life.

I have one final word for this blog, although we will never grasp the breadth and length and depth of this reality. If we are God's children, we do not do any of these things to win His approval. We serve Him because are His. We have become God’s children. He loves us as much as He loves Jesus. Your pictures are on His refrigerator. He holds you in his heart.

 

 

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PTAP: Taken Captive by the Devil

The devil has been taking people captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26) since the fall of man. The land and kingdoms of this earth are controlled by him (Matthew 4:8-9). As we think about advancing the Kingdom of God we know that there is a fight between two kingdoms. There are places in the Arabian Peninsula that have been controlled for years by the devil. Pray that the AP will be freed from the devil and his control. Pray that the hearts of AP Muslims would be freed from the hardness the devil places there, especially the hardness against knowing Jesus the Son of God and the full truths about Jesus. Pray for a growing movement among people who will seek Jesus to advance His great name in families, villages, towns and cities across the AP. The devil has been in control too long, we are seeking the God of all creation to have a great victory in the AP. 
 
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
 
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. "I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." Matthew 4:8-9
 
What did Jesus respond? "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew 4:10
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The Quran is written in beautiful poetic Arabic. Those that hear it in Arabic say it flows. The Quran has an especially strong grip on Muslims. The actual book is to be treated with great respect. To translate it into other languages should not be done. Arabian Peninsula Muslims honor the Quran, but few know it well or have read it. It seems amazing that the Quran is treated so well, but few Muslims know it well. The paper and ink seem to be what is important, not so much the meaning of the words on the page. Pray that the way the Quran traps the Peoples of the Arabian Peninsula would be removed from their hearts. Pray that the Word of God, the Bible, would not just be a good book or a corrupted book, but the Bible would be for them the very words of God. Pray that the Bible would communicate God's love for the peoples of the world and the people of the Arabian Peninsula.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

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The Danger of Violent Religion

“What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.” (Robert F. Kennedy, The Pursuit of Justice, 1964)

 

The evil of violent religion was graphically illustrated again this morning when 47 people were killed and 79 wounded in a bombing outside a school in northern Nigeria. An attacker disguised as a student set off the explosion in a government boarding school, where students had gathered outside the principal’s office for a daily speech. Police suspect that Boko Haram is behind this terrorist act.

 

Boko Haram (“Western education is forbidden”) is a militant Islamic movement that has carried out several deadly attacks on schools teaching a Western curriculum. They have murdered more than 5,000 civilians since 2009. They have abducted more than 500 women and children, including the kidnapping of schoolgirls last April. They kill people who engage in practices they view as un-Islamic. They offer no breathing room to anyone not adhering to their strict religious code.

 

The group’s aim is to establish an Islamic state ruled by Sharia law. This law, which they see as deriving from the Koran, covers public behavior, private behavior, and private beliefs. Of all legal systems, it is the most intrusive and strict, especially against women. A woman can have one husband, but a man can have up to four wives; a man can unilaterally divorce his wife but a woman needs her husband's consent to divorce; a man can beat his wife for insubordination; a woman who has been raped cannot testify in court against her rapist(s); a woman's testimony in court, allowed only in property cases, carries half the weight of a man's; a female heir inherits half of what a male heir inherits; a woman cannot drive a car, as it leads to “upheaval”; a woman cannot speak alone to a man who is not her husband or relative. Theft is punishable by amputation of the right hand. Several infractions are punishable by death—criticizing any part of the Koran; denying Muhammad is a prophet; a Muslim becoming a non-Muslim; a non-Muslim leading a Muslim away from Islam; a non-Muslim man marrying a Muslim woman. The oppressive list goes on.

 

Pascal, in Thoughts, points out that the law which governed Jews is the most ancient law in the world, and that Greek and Roman legislators borrowed from it their principal laws. He also comments that this law was the severest and strictest of all, imposing on the Jews “a thousand peculiar and painful observances, on pain of death.” What is astonishing, he says, is that this law was preserved unchanged through many centuries, while other states changed their laws though they were far more lenient.

 

The apostle Paul, who faultlessly observed the Jewish law and harshly persecuted the church before he was converted to Christ, writes that “those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.’ So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’ Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing.” (Galatians 3:10-13 NLT).

 

All Christians have not always practiced religious tolerance, as sadly demonstrated by the Inquisition. But though such historical atrocities and current religious fanatical acts are heinous, we should do some personal soul-searching to see how willing we are to admit we do not have all the answers and we are not holier than others.  

 

At heart we believe religious freedom is the God-given right of all people. At the same time, we place all our hope in the Son of God to save us from sin. We rest in Jesus Christ, who has answered the demand of law through His perfect life and vicarious death. He is our personal peace, and the ultimate hope for universal peace. The last word is not law—it is grace.

 

Johnny R. Almond

Christian preacher and writer

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Read blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized

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What is happening right now in Boston is amazingly prophetic. Just two days ago, I was writing about revival after visiting John Adams' rare books collection at the Boston Public Library. (To see that post, entitled "Step Into Your New World", click here). What I did not know was that the same day I was publishing my article, archivist Pam Hatchfield was prying open a 220-year-old time capsule at the MFA, one that had been embedded in the State House's cornerstone by Sam Adams and Paul Revere in 1795. On July 4, 1795, fifteen white horses - one for each state of our union - had pulled this cornerstone and time capsule through the streets of Boston for the dedication ceremony.

To continue reading,  click here.

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Freedom Flight

“I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free.” (Charles Dickens)

 

When we’re exhausted, we can seek God’s strength and glide gracefully on eagle’s wings. That is not to say it will be easy—we may have trouble envisioning such beauty,and it may be all we can do just to get to our feet. But if we take God’s hand, He promises to help us fly high above the mediocre world below. On His wings of proven love and absolute truth, our Lord pilots us above gloomy clouds of despair. Spirit Wind aerodynamics lift our spirit to altitudes exceeding loftiest earthbound ambitions.

 

When we’re disenchanted, if we dare take a seat in the cockpit of grace God will carry us on an unforgettable sortie. We’ll do more than merely survive; eagle-like, we will soar!

 

When our mortal wings tire, we should try His.

 

When our flight is turbulent, we can trust the Pilot.

 

When we’re a little nervous about His flight plan, if we listen carefully we’ll hear heaven’s reassuring message—Relax and enjoy the flight.

 

“You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle’s wings.” (Exodus 19:4 NLT)

 

Johnny R. Almond

Christian preacher and writer

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 48 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Read blog at http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

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YOU ARE FREE!

SO NOW --- STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP!

Too much has been said about freedom, deliverance, breaking free, breaking loose from the bondage and shackles of our past without the actual application of just doing it! So many Christians live such defeated lives that it would take me another book to dissect all the reasons; rhymes and horrible times we put ourselves through when we refuse to live in the Victory.


What Victory am I speaking about? This Victory is one we won when we took up residence at the Foot of the Cross. We then embraced its substitutionary atonement and subse accepted the Pardon which was paid for there, and is still valid almost 2000 years since!

Two verses today speak to this as we glance at the wonderful chapter of Romans 8 and see that verses 1 and 2 undergirds this foundational truth: "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death"!

How about that! Here are just the facts, ma'am"

No condemnation: we have been pardoned and declared not guilty BECAUSE we surrendered all at the Foot of the Cross.
- We are not just not guilty (even though the Charge against us was "WE SINNED AGAINST GOD") but now the Judge Who said we are still "not guilty"  then says..."and furthermore, you now belong to My Son, Who created the Heaven's and the Earth! Can you just imagine how that feels?! WE BELONG TO THE ETERNAL KING!
- AND not just that, but because we DO belong to this Eternal King of Glory, the Lord God Almighty, the Powerful Force Who created and controls the entire Universe just pulled our fat out of the fire and given us"ZOE"! That word ZOE is a powerful word. It is officially described as "GOD intimately sharing His gift of life with people, created each of us in His image". Then gave us all the capacity/power/supernatural strength to know His eternal life.

Therefore, in light of all this mind-boggling Grace to us from our Heavenly Father, we can now not only be free from the past sinfulness but can proactively live victoriously. This can only come about because we are safe and solidly in the knowledge of the Holy, Who has given us more than we deserve! So friend, if you're struggling today with some past acquaintance reminding you of things which God has already forgiven you or even your conscience being used to play tricks on you....if you're saturated with societal lunacy, which never seems to satisfy but more than ever pulls you down into a zone of fleshy dissatisfaction with your current physical environment and circumstance....well then, remember these same verses from Romans 8:1 and 2!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, please seal this encouragement from Your Holy Scriptures in our heart. Help us to learn to not just accept that You have forgiven us, through repentance and the sacrifice on the Cross, but to comprehend that we can now hold on to with this Truth and walk in peace, joy, contentment and righteousness. Father, knowing that You love me and everyone reading this, I pray for those who have not been told the Truth. I pray that if they have truly come to the saving personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, that they will believe with every fiber of their being that "He whom the Son sets free - is FREE indeed"....and THAT FREEDOM is now theirs!  In the Strong and Powerful Name of Jesus, amen!
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