This morning, a beautiful text was sent to me by a dear sister. She was sharing a story about a woman she knew who was deep into sin and how she prayed for help, but didn't leave the sin.
She was tormented until finally she was delivered when she made the decision to trust in Christ as she walked away from that which was comfortable and familiar to her. Then Christ delivered her, and her heart and life were changed forever.
My response to the story was one of sheer delight, because it was so familiar to my life. Here was my response.
"Wonderful, these words could have been written about me 50 years ago. It's even harder when we are surrounded by people who are not godly and want us to remain as we are. The real miracle and the real challenge is in surrendering so completely to Christ that it doesn't matter if you have any support from people."
"Praise God the Holy Spirit is greater than anyone around us. We can't blame anybody but ourselves, and when we finally fo come to Christ in earnestness, the beauty of our joy is so much greater than what we thought we would lose." Unquote
I think about this often when family members or old friends attempt to accuse me of my past that has been expunged from God's books.
Perhaps everyone should have a story like this that they have been delivered from while walking in victory now.
Our life is changed forever and often our friends change because our hearts have changed. We cannot walk with those who attempt to keep us down to avoid looking at themselves.
Unbelievers hate that our life is full of joy and purpose in Christ because they do not want to turn from their pleasures.
James 1:7 "…7 That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
When we hang onto sin while begging God to save us from the trouble we have caused ourselves, we cannot expect God to lift a finger to save us from the consequences. Often, it is the consequences that motivate us to seek Christ. It is God's love to allow us to wallow in what is miserable for us.
Praise God for all the trials He allows so that we will ultimately repent and become saved from hell and gain heaven.
James 1:2-8 "2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
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