Dear brothers and sisters,
Welcome to another Heartstrings day! My concern for this Saturday is that we would know without a doubt that we are treasured, and our hearts are captured by our loving Father.
I believe God can do anything. When I remind myself this, I automatically want to tune in to His wave length, the song of God's heart. This channel is the worship and voice I need to heed to resist giving into the mindless lies of the enemy.
One thing I know too, is that on days that are especially gloomy, I don't dare entertain dark thoughts or a pity party arrives, pounding on my door to let them come it. NO Way GO Away! Claiming the blood of Jesus over the doorposts of my life...they have to leave.
When God says, "Go!" He means it. When Jesus spoke to the demons, they had to leave. I don't want to be bound to a graveyard. Instead, I will invite Jesus Christ to be my tomb raider and extract me from that darkness.
God sees us as a precious jewel, His prize. He wants us free from despondancy and being stuck in depression.Oh, let His Love capture you! He wants to bring us into His eternal light!
Proverbs 15:15 is a great one to memorize to ward off the darkness. "All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]."
I love this! We are preparing to take a trip in March back to my home state. We will see my parents and our children and grandchildren left behind there. Now, Montana seems so far from Oregon! Especially in the last 7 years.
My health has been a times a difficult trial. My memories tend to crowd in on all the times I personally disappointed the Lord and others in that place. So, it has seemed kinda scary to think of going back. But, we have a blessing waiting there. The way to get it is to return, only for a few days. The Lord goes before us. He made this plan so we will move forward in His grace.
In the meantime, I have been anxious and have worked myself up so I can't sleep at night. My brain tends to analyze; examine to a fault the details. So already I am trying to detail the who, what, when and wheres. It a crazy wheel of misfortune!
That is why I call on Jesus to take me out of the tombs of my past, my shortcomings and failures. I want to really know that I am His treasure and worth saving. Don't you? He already paid the greatest price for us. WE are His and welcomed back to the Father. Changed, transformed and resurrected into new life through the work on the cross and that empty tomb. He is conqueror!
Why am I being so honest here? To expose the darkness and bring my mind into the LIGHT! It really is those anxious thoughts that get each of us in trouble. In the LIGHT we find reasons to be glad of heart...regardless of our circumstances.
The LORD spoke to my heart two days ago. I was to make a list of all my fears. Wow! That was not a short list! Then, I was to make a list of the blessings by going on this trip. That list is still being added onto today. The fear list was burnt in the woodstove. Then, I explained my raw heart to my husband. WE prayed together and took communion. Since, my heart has been so much lighter.
Do you feel raw, like there are chains around your wrists and ankles? Do you want to be at a continual feast of joy and freedom? You can! Jesus says, "Come" to you today. Let Him raid the hidden chambers of your heart, expose that darkness and set you free to leave that life behind. He has such good plans for you!
Well, if you have made it through this very long post, I know God has something wonderful in store for you. Sometimes we have to go through a dark place to get to the blessings. I believe there is more to be revealed as I surrender my life completely to Jesus Christ.
This is my testimony. What is yours? Be encouraged, even without the change of circumstances. That is a key to unlock those things that bind you. Rejoice with gladness in the Love of the LORD. You are in my prayers and I trust you to let God show you how much He treasures you. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, be free! Amen.
Abundance is...from fear to feast