Breaking Free

I was recently at a conference where the speaker was referring to the different stages of freedom.  That "stuck" part of the process of freedom call "I can't" came to my mind.  A log jam was the description of the speaker.  I could see myself standing on the edge of the log jam...on top of the pile of logs.  I was wishing and waiting on the "break free" and waiting. 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him." Psalm 28:7

I realized that the log jam represented my trying to do in my own strength what the Lord asked me to do in His.  Suddenly, an active video of freedom formed in my heart and mind.  I no longer had to struggle to kick out of the jam, I simply had to raise my hands in surrender.  As I did, I flew as if on wings.  He was waiting in this glorious river of freedom.  Together, we swam as one.  He was the leader.  He led me in a dance of freedom in the water and in the sky.  Colors and light reflected onto the water, and my heart soared at the secrets He whispered to me. 

So it must be for all of us.  It is time to stop trying to do things on our own strength.  We must not let the devil make us feel like failures and remind us that we cannot do it.  It is time to strongly say, "The Lord is my strength..."  Lift up your hands in surrender today.  See what is waiting in the air.

Significance

Today, some difficult things were happening in my morning.  Rather than let circumstances squash my joy, I knelt before Lord.  As a result, this song rose from my heart:

You check the time
Results have come and gone
But God is still on the throne

Hal - le  - lu - jah
To - the - Lamb
He died and rose again
All else is yet to bear such significance

So you tried and said and did
Your heart is heavy, Son.
But remember what I said is the end...

Hal - le - lu - jah
To - the - Lamb
He died and rose again
All else is yet to bear such significance (x3)

Kids may kick and fight
Puff their chest in might
Get on your knees and see what He says
He says...

Hal - le - lu - jah
Give Him Glory
He died and rose again
Look up and see His power today

So your pockets pull out void
Your vats are running low
How will the food go on the table?

(Sing Hallelujah from above again)

I see the heads hung down
Staring at the ground
Wondering what to do with this plight

Lift up your head, my friend
The sky spans with the sun
The clouds are there, the storm will pass.
He will be victorious!

So today take some time
Call out your needs to Him
Allow your heart to trust and hold His hand

Hal - le - lu - jah
To - the - Lamb
He died and rose again
All else is yet to bear such significance

(Stretch out your arms and sing the Hallelujah chorus again and again)

What stirs in your heart today?

The City-Not-Forsaken

One morning I was reading Isaiah 62.  I was struck to the core of how those words spoken over Jerusalem could be said over us as individuals.  It could be spoken over our country.  Let us pray this over our nation today. Regarding our hearts, regarding America:

Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut,

regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue,

Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun

and her salvation flames up like a torch.

Foreign countries will see your righteousness,

and world leaders your glory.

You’ll get a brand-new name

straight from the mouth of God.

You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand,

a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.

No more will anyone call you Rejected,

and your country will no more be called Ruined.

You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),

and your land Beulah (Married),

Because God delights in you

and your land will be like a wedding celebration.

For as a young man marries his virgin bride,

so your builder marries you,

And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,

so your God is happy with you.

I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.

Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,

reminding God to remember.

They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,

until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise.

God has taken a solemn oath,

an oath he means to keep:

“Never again will I open your grain-filled barns

to your enemies to loot and eat.

Never again will foreigners drink the wine

that you worked so hard to produce...

The farmers who grow the food will eat the food

and praise God for it.

And those who make the wine will drink the wine

in my holy courtyards.”

Walk out of the gates. Get going!

Get the road ready for the people.

Build the highway. Get at it!

Clear the debris,

hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!

Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:

“Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes,

Ready to do what he said he’d do,

prepared to complete what he promised.’”

Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,

Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.  (Isaiah 62 MSG)


As individuals and as a Nation, what are we going to set our minds on today?  What is our next move?  We have a choice!  It is time to re-build the CITY and LET GOD BLESS it. 

My prayer is that our nation will turn back their hearts to their Father.  We have long since been growing cold and indifferent to His voice.  May our ears be on fire to hear what He has to say today! 
What is your prayer over our nation today?