The Sweetness of the Freedom He Offers

I was thinking the other day about Rescue and redemption stories! While it’s so easy to live into the present, forgetting the very things we were delivered from, it’s amazing what recounting your story for others to hear, does for your faith and even heart! In moments of questioning, where, and how God is working, I’m amazed how he takes some stories from trials and journeys that we’ve lived through to bring us to where we are, and shows his direct hand of provision and protection in our lives! Do you recall miraculous moments, you or someone close to you were delivered from the snares of death, only to walk forward from with clarity and a renewed perspective? For me, I think back to much of my high school days and years, and I think about the very fact that it was the divine acts of God, and totally miraculous ones that I am who I am today. Story after story of redeeming moments and rescue. Once we’ve experienced rescue, we want to spend a lifetime helping others experience the same freedom we have experienced— Freedom from self. Freedom from pain. Freedom from suffering or sorrow. And yet, just because one walks with Jesus doesn’t mean they will never experienced any of these emotions or temptations again – it’s that they know the sweetness of the freedom that he offers; what no counterfeits can fulfill, and we know that in all things Jesus will be with us, despite how dark it gets!! Isn’t that what we all want? “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalms 23:4-6 NLT IF YOU MY FRIEND are in a place, struggling to believe, there’s hope for you, your situation, or what you’ve constantly believed, can I just encourage you that with Jesus next to you there is a better way? That he can be your everything? That he can replace lies with truth, and get the voices that say you’re not enough to stop. There is a God, who is jealous for you, and if you let him he will show you that he is not going anywhere, this journey takes a lifetime, but with him in your corner, and the resolve to keep going in the unknown parts, the hard parts, the ugly parts, and the parts you assume skip he will take you to the other side. He is entirely faithful, and I believe if you invite him to, that He will do what only he can do and it will be magnificent! YOU ARE SO LOVED MY FRIEND. I hope by now, if anything, you’ve concluded from the show, my story, even my guests, is that we are all still on this journey towards Jesus, and trying to live for him, experience him daily, and Livy, abundant life. He promises in John 1010. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light, so it’s Jesus speaks to your heart today. I just encourage you to ask him to do it only he can do in your life; to heal the parts that need to be healed, and then help you step into the unforced rhythms of Grace. OH HOW HE LOVES YOU!!! We’ll catch you again next time on the places between. Thanks for turning in.