Freedom

Freedom in Christ

In previous blogs I have shared a number of topics I have addressed in my new book, Unshackled. The last chapter deals with no shame, no chains, free to know God in which I have written about the freedom to be found in our relationship with Christ as we embrace and live out His guidelines.

It is so good to experience the safety and provision of our good shepherd as we come to Him early in the day, lay our burdens down, and experience the peace that comes as we trust Him to work out the troubling situations we may be facing.

I give keys that we can use to help us. They are obedience, praise, prayer, the name of Jesus, and proclaiming the blood of Jesus.

True Freedom

I returned from a mission trip to Pakistan on June 30^th. As I celebrated July 4^th. and the freedom we associate with that date I drew a parallel to the many in Pakistan who are now truly free in Christ as they stood to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

It was really touching to be able to present the pastors with my book, The Power Of The Lamb’s Blood, in their own language. The man who translated it had traveled an eight hour bus trip to be at the conference along with his wife and young son.

I was blown away when over 50 people stood to pray to receive Christ after I talked one night. There were over 80 the next night when Linda Dulin spoke. When we went into a village that had NEVER had the gospel preached before there were about 1200 attending and masses stood up to pray the prayer for salvation.

We heard of a number of healings of all kinds of pain, (one rib pain for 4 years), headache for 3 months, back problem, a tooth needing a root canal, joint pain, afflicted knee, headaches. The people were shy to come up and testify but we hope to get reports from the pastors in the villages and the evangelist who travels around to villages.

I had never prayed corporate group prayers but that was what we had to do. I took a stand against tormenting spirits over minds and one young woman came up and said, “I was possessed by a demon and it left” Is this beyond anything I have experienced – yes, but it was a part of Jesus’ ministry for sure. We went down the body and prayed over every part and every affliction connected with that part.

We saw an afflicted little boy – an extra finger on each hand, some palate problem for which he had had surgery and a severe dislocation of both knee caps and protruding knee bones on both legs. After we prayed over him I heard the word witchcraft and upon asking was told his grandfather was into witchcraft. So sad but the sins of the fathers are visited on the children.

I left a part of my heart in Pakistan and pray daily for the people we touched through the power of the Holy Spirit. I know I will see many them in heaven and I praise the Lord for that.

Living Free of Anxiety

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

I have to confess I am somewhat of a type A personality in that when I need something done I like to get right on it, get it done, and marked off my to do list. In the assignments God entrusts to us this approach often does not work.

Recently upon arrival home from a writer’s conference my head was swimming with all the writing projects and speaking promotion I could do; however, I have had it with my own ideas that don’t lead anywhere except to frustration. I want to be a good steward, so in the past I have run ahead with what seemed like the right thing to do, only to end up with no fruit to show for the effort. It was as if I was saying to the Lord, “Come along with me and bless my idea. You follow me, Jesus.”

A very proliferate writer/speaker said when she started praying five minutes a day over her ministry things really seemed to start happening. I certainly pray over what the Lord would have me pursue, but have interspersed those prayers into my regular time rather than a concentrated focus.

I decided I would try what she suggested as I was trying to sort through all the possibilities presented at the conference. When I finished this prayer time I heard in my spirit, “Be faithful, not frantic” I thought this was a very good word for many of us who want to serve the Lord, but sometimes shoot off in too many directions as we try to do our best for Him. (Noble as it is to want to serve Him)

Be faithful, not frantic is now my reminder that I am not to be anxious but to have faith in the Scripture in Psalm 138:8a “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Then I will experience the peace promised in Philippians 4:7.”And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to stay submitted to your will for ministry and not my own ideas. Help me to stay focused and faithful, but not frantic.