These past couple of months I have been wading through many different thoughts on just what my next blog post would cover. Nothing really has stood out until this past Sunday while in our church service. It was Memorial Day weekend and only one service was held. We had the usual time of prayer, worship and message. Of course this particular weekend was a time to honor our vets so our Pastor had all the vets past and present come up front and receive an American Flag. It was a special time with young and old veteran's standing up front to be honored. I believe that most appreciated the gesture of honor but I think most felt a little uncomfortable being in that position. During our worship service there were two words of knowledge given for our congregation, two somewhat different words, but yet both talked of freedom and healing. Let me share them with you and may God speak to your heart as much as He spoke to all those who received the message from God and were blessed from it.
Our military men and women have always fought to maintain our freedom's we have enjoyed in America. Many gave their lives for us so we could enjoy what we have today. War is an ugly and painful aspect of the human race. Wars are fought for various reasons, but the war that is fought for freedom is always a war that cost the most. It cost so dearly because freedom comes at a very high price, it comes from those who give and sacrifice their lives for others. Jesus Christ gave us our freedom from slavery just over two thousand years ago by giving His life on the cross. Yet there are many still who suffer from the slavery that Christ came to free them from. You might just be one of those who are still bound by the slavery of sin. You might be one that is struggling to be free from old habits, lusts, jealousy, hatred, anger, or you are just at a point where you want to just give up. You're saying that you have tried and tried but just can't do it anymore, it's just not worth the effort any longer. I want you know that God has not forsaken you, He has not forgotten you or the struggle you are going through. Listen to these two words of knowledge that were given on Sunday, May 25th 2014.
We all are at war while we are in this world. The apostle Paul stated in Ephesians 6:12 that we fight against powers unseen. As our military men and women have fought in the past and in the present to maintain our freedom, Christ, Gods only begotten Son gave His life so that we can have victory over our enemy. Christ was raised up from the grave and sits on the right hand of His Father so we can now have life and not death. He is our true commander and chief who fights our battles for us. He requires only one thing from us, that we TRUST HIM. Consider the two messages that God gave us through a couple of folks that serve God and obeyed Him by sharing what He placed on their hearts.
I am only going to summarize the messages because I cannot quote them word for word, but that's not necessary, the content of the message is what is important. The first word was given by a woman, she said that God gave her a word for those who are feeling like they want to just give up, it's not worth it anymore to even try. She went on to say that there are those who are hanging on to past sins such as anger, lusts, or are trapped in pornography, other's who cannot get victory over old habits that keep dragging them down. There are those who have to reach deep down within themselves and let God take care of the situation that is keeping them enslaved. This lady ended God's word to us by saying that if you want God to heal you spiritually and want to be freed from these shackles you have to reach out to God, you cannot just keep sitting back and hoping something good will happen, you have to invite God into your life and situation if you want complete victory over your sins and or situation that holds you back.
The second word that was given was from a man who has given words of knowledge before, He shared it with the Pastor and ask the Pastor to share it to the congregation. This word tied right into the previous word but went past the invitation part of the first word. Here is what God said to this man; the desert is a dry and barren place, nothing much grows in the desert because of the lack of water. When the rain does come the desert becomes one the most beautiful places to behold. It comes alive with blooms of many colors, colors that are rarely seen in the desert. Seeds that have been dormant in the ground for years burst into life and plants grow to give the desert it's spectacular beauty after the rain has fallen. If you are one of those who are suffering from any of the above situations in your life or any that are not mentioned and you feel as though you are in a dry and arid place, the rains are about to fall on you if you will obey what God is directing you to do. These rains from God will cause you to be refreshed and no longer feel dry and parched. Your life will blossom as the desert blossoms after a long awaited rain that falls on the desert floor to give it life and beauty.
(I want to emphasize that these words of knowledge or messages are summarized, not quoted word for word, the content of the message is important).
In Job 38:34-38 God is admonishing Job. Job as you know suffered a great deal when he was being tested and satan wanted to destroy him. God reminded Job who was in charge by asking him "who is wise enough to count the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?" God was reminding Job just who He is and he reminded Job just who he is. You see, Job could not solve his problem, only God could do that and Job needed to be reminded that God still loved him and wanted to bless him beyond what he had lost. Job remained faithful but in his suffering he began to question God and His intentions. Maybe you are in a place like that right now, you are questioning God and His intentions with you. In Psalm 65:9-13 King David praises God for who He is and gives a description of who God is. David stated that "You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile." then he goes on to say that "The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy."
This my friend is what God wants to do for you. He wants to cause you to blossom like the desert after a long awaited rain. He doesn't want you to continue in the parched dry land wandering around without hope of relief. God has given us His Holy Spirit who comes as a rain over the dryness of your life. He comes to give you comfort and relief from your present situation. If you stop running from Him and let Him flow over and into you, you will receive that long awaited rain that only God can give. Listen to Him and let Him come into you by believing and receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is through Jesus Christ that you will receive the refreshing and comforting rain of His Holy Spirit. God wants to bless you, but He can't do that until you do things His way. The scripture's tell us that "Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, You forgive them all," Psalm 65:3.
You may be a believer already but are struggling with your walk with Christ, and if that's the case, remember God said it Himself, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you," Deuteronomy 31:8. Jesus Christ said "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," John 10:10. So what will it be with you? Are you going to continue to suffer and be bound by that which has you enslaved or trapped, or are you going to be the one who steps up and claims your freedom and have those shackles that have you bound broken so you can be set free? It's up to you which type of life you choose to live, a life of freedom through Christ, or a life of enslavement to your enemy?
Let me pray for you right now, Dear God, for those who are trapped and don't know how to escape, show them the light of Christ so they might be set free from what has them bound. Help them in their journey Dear Father, break the chains of destruction that has them bound. Bind up their enemy so that your people will have the freedom that Christ gave them when He gave His life for theirs. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I ask for their freedom, Amen. Now you pray, Father in heaven, forgive me of my sins, I invite Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be the Lord of my life. I am bound by (name what holds you captive) and ask you to set me free. I no longer want to be a servant of the enemy. Thank you for hearing my prayer, I receive your forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. I am set free by the blood of Christ and claim victory over that which has held me captive. Thank you Heavenly Father for not forsaking me and for loving me unconditionally. I pray this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer then believe that it is done. God is faithful and will not go back on His Word. If you need help with what you have been going through I encourage you to seek out someone who believes in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and ask them to pray for you. If you don't have a Bible, get one and start reading. If you have a Bible already, open it and start believing what God is showing you in His Word. God loves you no matter what you have done, He loves you unconditionally. Remember this, you have a choice, you can do it your way, which is the world's way of thinking, or, you can do it God's way which is the complete opposite of how the world thinks. Choose God and you will not be sorry.
