Freedom From Shame Put on You

“My dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 44: 15-16

Shame and abortion often are tied together until revelation of the cross of Christ breaking the power of shame is unveiled and deeply rooted.  The living Word of God cuts through the tie shame holds on identity.  And once cut and truth is rooted deep, shame has no more hold.  This is true not only for abortion but any sin or strongholds strongly tied to identity.

Sin and shame co-exist well together in a dysfunctional way.  Jesus broke the power of both. 

What is often overlooked is the shame not caused by a personal sin, but rather of those who sinned against you or shame that was “put on” you by others.  The common expression “Shame on you” is a prime example of how people place a garment on shame unwittingly on others.   These three little words contain immense weight. 

Often times these people are even placing this garment of shame on ones they love and care for, unknowing the toxic implications of their words. 

This shame can lay dormant masking as insecurity.  It can cause those affected to hide and self-protect, unwilling or unable to fully enter into relationships and community.  We can be hiding as a result of the cloak covering and binding us.

The Lord revealed this to me as I have been walking through new revelations of shame I was unaware of due to words and actions others placed on me in childhood.  It was not a result of a sin I committed.  Words have power.  Actions have power.  Shame has power.  But there is a power greater.  The blood of Jesus defeated the power of shame, all shame, whether self-inflicted or outwardly induced.

The Psalmist in Psalm 44: 15-16 experienced shame due to those in close proximity inflicting dishonor on him.  This shame hides in the shadows and is often overlooked.  The Lord wants to expose and expel all shame.  

Whether you have had an abortion or have another sin in your life causing shame to latch onto your identity, or if there is shame lingering due to the sins of others against you, there is good news for you!  Jesus broke the power of all shame!  The enemy of our soul shames.  His goal is to go after identity.  If He can convince you of how unworthy you are and tie shame to your feet, He knows He has you bound and you won’t move far. 

We can take off the garment of shame and lay it at the foot of the cross. This action frees us to accept who God says we are, His beloved daughter or son, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  No one can take that identity from us.  It is our true identity. 

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to break the power of shame, whether self-inflicted or placed on us by others.  Thank you, Lord, for the cross of Jesus Christ that expels shame.  Help us lay down our garment of shame placed on us by the enemy or others and pick up our true garment of praise and righteousness, fully loved as a daughter/son of our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I Have a Secret to Keep

 

“But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7

 All three of my children know about my abortion. The Lord led me on three different occasions to share my story with them.  At some point, I may write about those experiences.  But for now, I will say each of them received the news with showers of grace and love.  However, one of them asked me a question poignant with power, “Does this mean I now have a secret to keep?” 

Thankful he revealed this thought in his little heart, I immediately refuted his fear.

“No, my son.  I don’t want you to have a secret to keep.  In fact, this isn’t a secret at all.  My mission is to tell my story so others can make a better choice than I made or find healing and hope if they had also had an abortion.  This isn’t a secret.   You probably don’t need to go tell all your friends right now about it, but if the Holy Spirit leads you to share it, I want you to know you have freedom to share.  This is not a secret.”

A sigh of relief came over him knowing he didn’t have a secret to keep.  In the words of Aunt Mae from the movie The Amazing Spiderman, “Secrets have a cost.  They are not for free.”  Secrets are exhausting, draining and down-right depressing.  I would never want to burden my son with a secret. 

However, most with abortion in their past, do hold onto keeping this secret at whatever the cost.  Secrecy surrounds abortion and can latch onto your identity clutching on for dear life.  It was interesting to me that my twelve-year-old son inherently knew that if he had to keep a secret, he would be robbed of something. Secrets have a cost.  They are never for free and in his twelve-year-old mind, he knew this truth. 

It is freeing to live fully in the light unhindered by the fear of secrets being discovered.  Living in the light of truth is a beautiful way to live—knowing we are forgiven and loved and cleansed by the blood of Jesus from all sin.  

Father, thank you for the gift of freedom.  Thank you that we can live fully in the light of your grace and truth, fully hidden and protected by you even when we feel completely exposed.  Lord, help us to live in the light in community with one another, covered in your love. Help us, your beloved,  to come out of hiding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Revelation of the Father’s Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

When I was in Sunday school as a child, we memorized scripture.  A red plastic wallet-like case held the scripture cards and it was a badge of honor to know the verse and say it in front of the group.  After four weeks of faithful verse reciting, we got to pick a prize from the prize drawer!  It was like heaven…a whole drawer full of prizes!  I had my eye on one prize, a metal globe pencil sharper, and worked hard memorizing week after week in hopes of obtaining this one special prize.  I cannot really say what drew me to it but this globe captivated my attention.   I flipped open my plastic case and repeatedly read the scripture written on the card.  John 3:16 was one of the scriptures. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Aha!  I did it and earned my pencil shaving globe!  It was a proud moment.  However, at that moment, the scripture was just in my head, an accomplishment for achieving a material gain.  Even though I could hold my new metal globe in my hands, the reality that God loves everyone on the globe including myself did not connect at that time. 

Memorizing scripture is a great discipline but unless the Holy Spirit is allowed to breathe life into scripture with fresh revelation, it can become just an intellectual idea or theological point. 

For the next 35 years, John 3:16 was just a scripture to me.  It was truth and I believed it but it wasn’t a reality or a revelation.   I had been a Christian for twenty years, but for some reason there was a blockage of truly understanding and accepting the Father’s love for me. 

I knew beyond all doubts JESUS LOVES ME.  We sing it as children and it is sung over us, planted deep within from a young age, but the Father?  Does He really love me and want a relationship with me?  He seemed distant due to feelings of unworthiness of being in His presence.  He has always seemed distant and evading. 

The ways we view the Father God can often be connected to our parents.  We tend to view God through the lens of who our earthly parents were to us.  However, this view is skewed since no one has earthly parents who love perfectly like our heavenly Father loves. 

I have been on a journey of knowing my heavenly Father and who I am as His daughter.  He is going after that orphan spirit and breaking down the lies of the enemy and uncovering truths and revelation in common scriptures such as John 3:16.  Come on, John 3:16!!!  We all learn that as kids but now it is a reality in my life…

For God so loved ME that HE SENT His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

God the Father LOVES ME.  Not just Jesus.  I knew Jesus loved me because He died for me.  But God the Father so loved me that He sent Jesus.  It is His love that pursued us. 

I am not an orphan.  I am His beloved girl.  

Our world is craving love.  Our world is full is orphans who do not know they have a Father who is passionately in love with them.   This Father is one who will never let us down.  He will be our protector, defender, hiding place, provider, strength, fortress, hugger, encourager, dance partner, math homework assistor, swim instructor, teacher and everything a good father should be.

If you don’t know the Father as all the above, ask Him, seek Him, and I know He will show you His love for you. Just ask. He loves you so much.

When I was 8, I memorized John 3:16 and my teacher gave me a globe.  The beautiful truth of John 3:16 and revelation is that the great Teacher, God, gave Jesus to the globe to die for you and for me! I understand it now! 

FOR GOD so loved you that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I have a feeling this Easter is going to be different for me as this fresh revelation simmers in my soul.  I pray it will be fresh for you as well as you reflect on how great a love your heavenly Daddy has for you.  You are not an orphan, you are loved.  

Father, Abba, Daddy, thank you for such a great love.  Forgive me for not always seeing your love in the greatest story ever told.  As I celebrate Easter and reflect on Jesus’ love, I pray I would also reflect and meditate on your love, Daddy.  You sent Jesus to die for me because of your unmeasurable and extravagant love for me.  Thank you for being such a good Dad.  Thank you that I am not an orphan but a son/daughter with destiny and purpose.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Calling Forth Destiny

“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one.”  Romans 9:25

In February 2011, God woke me up with an assignment.  On my computer sat a blank blog page waiting for words.  That chilly February morning, the spirit of the Lord spoke clearly, “Tell them who they are and tell them I love them.” 

I began writing and God began moving to show me ability He put in me long before I knew it was there.

At the beginning of this journey, I struggled with accepting the assignment to write.  Thoughts of insecurity and doubt rose up.  Who am I to write about the Lord?  Who am I to have a voice? 

There was a choice—either accept the assignment or agree with doubts and insecurities.  There was a battle inside of me as the two voices collided.   Finally, I accepted what God said rather than my thoughts or lies of the enemy and continued forward in fulfilling what God had said to do. 

He called me a writer before one word was on the screen.   

There was no natural indicator that I should be writing.  But still He called.  And what He calls you is truth. 

That is how God operates.  He calls things that are not as though they are.

God does this again and again in His word. 

He called Eve “the mother of all the living” before she had ever even conceived children.  (Gen 3:20)

He called Abraham “a great nation” when he was still childless. (Gen 12:2)

He called David “anointed king of Israel” while he was a shepherd in a field. (1 Samuel 16: 13)

He called Paul “a chosen vessel” even though he was persecuting Christians and before he knew Jesus or preached one word. (Acts 9:15)

What has he spoken over you?  What calling and destiny lies in wait for you to fulfill?

Knowing your true identity as His son or daughter puts you in line for receiving His blessing and inheritance. (Gal 4)  He calls you daughters/sons even if you did not have parents because you are His daughter/son.  He loves you as a loving Father and wants you to know you are His.  He is calling.

Perhaps you have never seen yourself as a mother. He calls you mother even if you have never have given birth to a child.  There is an entire world out there who need mothering.  He is calling.

He calls you wife even if you are not married, even if you never will marry.  You are His bride and He is your Bridegroom.  He adores you.  He is crazy about you! He is calling.

These are truths.  God has a destiny for every one of His children.  He called Israel His people and His loved one when Israel’s heart was far from Him.   Perhaps you have a child or someone you love who is far from the Lord.  We have authority and right to call forth their destiny.  God has a destiny for each of us.  Or perhaps you have been living outside of God’s plan and destiny for your life, out of rebellion or unbelief.  Today is the day to step into His plan and purpose and live out your calling.  

When we live from a place of resting in His love, we become all He intended us to be.  He has called you His, He has called you loved–come into agreement and accept the assignment.  Walk in your blessing and inheritance.   He is calling.

Father, show me my identity, my true identity.  Thank you that you see the end from the beginning and you call things that are not as though they are.  Father, I pray forth into existence my calling and destiny.  I call forth my identity as your beloved daughter/son and to be all you called me to be and walk in my inheritance.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Turning Shame into Glory

“How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood.”  Psalm 4:2

David wrote the verse above as a question to men who were speaking falsely about him and were treating him as an outlaw instead of who he truly was destined to be.

This Psalm rose a question in me:

How many of God’s children with a divine destiny are hiding in shame and believing lies of unworthiness?

Could it be when we hide and agree with shame and unworthiness, that we are actually denying God glory?

David had a divine destiny and he knew who God had called him to be.

Those with abortion-wounds often believe the lie that they no longer are worthy of the calling on their lives, that they are no longer worthy to be used by God.   Living in denial, they withdraw, and hide under a cloak of shame, denying God the glory due His name.  This isn’t just those wounded from abortion.  Much of the body of Christ is living in hiding, living in a state of false humility that claims I am unworthy to be used of God, I am unworthy because of my past and what I have done.

In sense, turning glory to shame, loving worthlessness and seeking falsehood.   And God says, “Enough.”

He wants His children to rise up out of hiding.  He wants you to know who you are in Him, as a son or daughter of the King, Your Father, who adores you.  He wants you to know you are worthy because He said you were worthy when He sent His son to die for you (yes, you!).  He wants all His children to stop agreeing with falsehood, with the lies of the enemy.  You are His child.  He has a purpose for you, a great plan for you.  His heart is for you to fulfill what He created you to do!

Like David, you are royalty.  Your destiny is one of a child of the King, the Father’s beloved son or daughter.  You are worthy.

“How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood.”  Psalm 4:2

Father, forgive me for not allowing you to turn shame into glory.  Forgive me for agreeing with lies of unworthiness. Oh Lord, turn my shame into your glory and reveal my worthiness in you.  Lord, open my eyes to see your glory and how you turn shame into a declaration of praise.  I pray I would no longer agree with the lies of the enemy but would see my worth through your eyes.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

 

Redeeming the Day

 

“He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever—holy and awesome is His name.”  Psalm 111:9

Father, thank you that when You provided redemption, Jesus did not just pay in part, but in whole.  Thank you for redeeming even the day and providing hope for those hurting from the day of their abortion.  We ask for You to redeem the day and change what was full of death into a day of life.  We ask for all things to be made new—even the day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A friend recently told me of someone she knows who every year on the anniversary day of her abortion,  is stricken with sadness, grief and unbearable sorrow over her choice.  This friend has the date in her calendar, to remind her to call this beloved girl and comfort her in her pain.

This is all too real and common.  We all have birthdays we celebrate.  The lack of a birthdate for one created to live is unnatural and it leaves an aching hole in the heart of those living with abortion-wounds. The anniversary date of the day chosen to end the life of their child—it is almost too much to bear.

But Jesus.  The blood of Jesus is not limited to redeeming one’s sins or health.  The blood of Jesus seeps into every pour and every aching crevice, filling and completing the healing until all is restored—even the day.

Today, Emily Donels graciously shares her story of how the Lord redeemed the day for her.  Thank you, Emily, for sharing the Lord’s redemption power in your life.

April 27^th used to be a day I dreaded.  I was so gripped in knots the entire month that I didn’t feel I could breathe again until May. 

In the earlier years of my healing journey with my abortion-wounded heart, I would try to do something that I felt honored the daughter I aborted.  From planting flowers in my flower bed on that day to placing a plaque on the wall of the National Memorial for the Unborn in Chattanooga, TN, to just driving down to the memorial so I would have a safe place I felt like I could mourn.

It wasn’t until after my own Deeper Still retreat that I felt the Lord truly redeem April 28^th for me.  I finally believed my Heavenly Father had reconciled my relationship with my daughter, Hannah.  That day went from me feeling I needed to atone that day to just being in sweet remembrance of my daughter that day.  Twenty years to that exact day, I was serving on the Deeper Still Spring Retreat team and I was assigned to lead the sharing time during the memorial service.  I opened up by sharing that I couldn’t imagine any better way to honor my precious Hannah than by being there with each of them (the participants) and telling them how proud I was to be Hannah’s mom and that I longed for the day to meet her face to face.

The following year, the Lord put it on my heart to return to the abortion clinic for the first time in 21 years to the date.  I was joined there by my sisters and brothers in Christ to pray a prayer of repentance to cleanse and heal the land.  That day I left a bundle of flowers representing life in honor of Hannah’s life.  God not only redeemed me, He redeemed the day.

Your Invitation to Breakthrough

“Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down.  And then, as it sank in, they started praising God.  ‘It’s really happened!  God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!’”  Acts 11: 18 (MSG)

Father, thank you for breaking through to the nations with the good news of life, healing and freedom.  Many were skeptical but it is happening and we give you praise, honor and glory. Father, we thank you for resources and provision to complete the good work you have begun to bring healing and lasting freedom to the abortion -wounded in the U.S, China and around the world.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Again, we sat across the table and shared the vision the Lord had given us of sharing the good news of the healing message of Jesus Christ with the abortion-wounded to the people of the country of China.  And again, we were met with opposition and skepticism as we were told, “Don’t go.”  “This is too big.”  This can’t be done.”  “It will never work.”

We sat in bewilderment and disbelief at what we heard.  How could we not go when the Lord had said “GO”?  Plus there is the great commission to consider—“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)…He never said just go to the easy ones.

When Peter and Paul began preaching the gospel to nations outside of the nation of Israel, many marveled, especially the religious leaders of the day. It was a bias of their countrymen that the gospel was for only their nation.  Thankfully, the truth that His gospel is for everyone prevailed as Paul led the charge and Peter gained revelation.  Peter and Paul are essentially a part of all of our stories of faith and salvation.

We cannot even imagine in present times someone saying, “Jesus’ message of healing isn’t for that group of people.”  However, that was precisely what we were hearing as we shared what God was leading us to do for His Chinese people.  Only it wasn’t because of bias, as in the case of Peter above, but rather a case of unbelief.

As Peter shared His story of all the Lord had revealed to him and done to set those of other nations free, the religious leaders turned from sullen to ecstatic with praise.  We are finding the same.  God is at work in the nation of China to heal His abortion-wounded church.  The wounds are vast and deep and the need is great.

How can a nation be free to love others when a majority of the body of Christ is walking around wounded? How can the church be healthy and strong and vibrant when living with hidden sin and full of people living in silent shame, guilt and condemnation? (The same could be asked of the American church as well.)

God is breaking through to the nations with His healing message of grace and redemption. He cannot be contained.  He wants all His children healed, restored and free.  The exciting part is that you have the opportunity to be a part of someone’s story!

Peter and Paul listened to the Lord and as a result, the gospel message spread to the nations.  We listened to the Lord rather than to men, and we are seeing God do the miraculous in front of our eyes for the nation of China.  In the last year and a half,  there have been two Chinese retreats in the United States and one in the country of China.  There are two more Chinese retreats scheduled for this year and we believe this is just the beginning of what God wants to do.

At our banquet we will hear some of the stories from the United States and the nation of China.  We would love to invite you to be a part of the story.  How incredible is it to think we can be a part of someone’s story across the world as they find hope and freedom and healing for the first time?  It’s amazing.  Jesus is breaking through to the nations.  Are you ready to join Him?

If you would like to make a donation to Deeper Still, go to the banquet to hear live testimonies of how God is moving in this ministry or see how you might become involved through prayer or volunteer opportunities to be a part of the story, please visit godeeperstill.org and find us on the Facebook page Deeper Still and Instagram  @GoDeeperStill .

 

 

 

 

Open Doors {Prayer for Fundraising Banquet}

“Behold, I have set before you an open door that no one can shut.” -Revelations 3:8

Father, we thank you for all your amazing works.  We pray that on March 6, we will see Your glory unfold before our eyes as men and women share their story of redemption and healing in front of hundreds at the Deeper Still fundraising banquet.  We pray for the table hosts as they are preparing now and are inviting guests.  Lord, encourage them and we pray they would boldly proclaim your healing message of Jesus Christ with others who will potentially attend the event.  Would you open every door and opportunity for every person you want to be there to attend. May nothing hinder all you want to do that night.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, three people will share their testimony of God’s redemptive work from a stage.  These testimonies are powerful and will be life-changing for every single person in the room including the ones giving the testimony.

The first time a door was opened for me to share my testimony publicly was at a fundraiser for a local pro-life pregnancy center, the Hope Resource Center.

I sat trembling as the announcer called my name. Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, I rose up and walked to the podium.  The only noise in the room was my heart pounding.  Only a few steps were needs to reach the podium, but it seemed like a mile.  In reality, I had taken many steps the audience couldn’t see that night to be free enough to walk those few.

Again, I breathed.  The moment my feet touched the stage, I heard the Lord whisper in His love, “I am right here with you.”  Spiritually, I could see Jesus standing right beside me holding my hand.   Smiling at His loving hand, He infused courage to tell the story–His story of redemptive love.

The Lord gave me an open door that night–an open door to invite others into His story. An open door for others with abortion wounds in the room to hear the truth of His healing love and mercy.  An open door for those with critical hearts to be softened as they hear how abortion affects those who have walked through doors of death.  An open door for those on the side of choice to hear the reality of how this choice chokes life out of the clutches of those who have chosen abortion.

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He has set before us an open door. On March 6, this door is open.  An open door to share His great love with others.  An opportunity for His children to hear He is a God of abundant and extravagant mercy and grace–far more than we could ever ask, think or imagine.  That is who our God is.  And this is the opportunity we have–to share the reckless never failing and never-ending love of our Lord Jesus Christ with a hopeless and dying world who is desperate for the truth.

We just need to walk through the door.

 

 

Living Pain Free

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”  1 John 16:33

Father, No matter what we face or the pain we endure, you have overcome.  Thank you for your promise of living pain free in heaven and thank you for how you use pain as an indicator of a need for healing.  Lord, heal those areas of our hearts in pain and bring us into greater levels of freedom as we look to you our Healer.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The sun shone brightly overhead as we headed toward the East Tennessee mountains for a day of hiking in God’s beautiful creation.  While driving, we passed a billboard that boasted a promise unattainable this side of heaven.  The billboard read, “Live Pain Free”.   The car sped past the sign blurring the details of what the sign was promoting.  Regardless the remedy, it couldn’t possibly prove to extinguish all pain to the point of living pain free.

There is no magic pill or formula to alleviate all pain.  If there was a magic pill, would we want it? Perhaps we would take the pill promising pain-free living, but consider this: to feel no pain is to not feel at all—a numbing.  Pain is the symptom of a deeper wound.  It is the body’s way of crying out for healing.  Pain indicates our need for healing and our need for a Healer.  Without pain, we would be oblivious to the deep bleeding happening within and our need for the only Surgeon who can tend to the wounds.  Unspoken pain manifests in a way that mirrors the mess inside.  Pain triggers our awareness for the need for healing.  It is never isolated.  Pain spreads and seeps begging for care—pointing to our need for the Healer.

Once we begin to seek the Healer in response to our pain, His response is quick and vast.  He pursues the root of the pain when we invite Him into the deepest area of our hurts.  With our permission, He advances until all is healed.  Less and less pain until eventually all is healed.  The final healing may not manifest this side of heaven, but there are levels of healing where indeed we can live exponentially pain free.

The promise of living pain free cannot be found in a pill or earthly physician.  Only the Great Physician can lead us on this journey.  And in the journey, we will have trouble.  There will be suffering.  There will be pain, but we can take heart knowing His ever-loving arms and His presence overcomes it all.

He is the promise that has overcome the pain, He has overcome the world.

 

Just Say No!

 

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Acts 16:18

Father, thank you for the authority You have given us as children of God.  Father, I pray we would learn to renew our minds to the truth of Your Word and recognize when our flesh or the enemy tries to crowd in on our thoughts with lies.  Lord, may we learn to live in your truth and say no to lies. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

My fifteen-year-old son sat at church with his high school friends.  I asked if I could sit with him and He willingly agreed.  He was in one seat and I was in the seat next to him.  As the worship music began, a fifteen-year-old girl crowded in next to my handsome son, right in between us!  Yes, you understood correctly.  I was in one seat, he was in the next seat and she sat smack dab between us.  A little put off, I moved over slightly to lessen the awkwardness of being squished in the sanctuary.

Standing during worship lessened the obviousness of the space invasion.  However, annoyance was soon replaced with irritation at her posture during worship.  Her phone seemed to be the object of worship.  Most may not worship golden calves in 2018 in the United States, but there are other shiny things clamoring for our attention.

The worship stopped and the sermon began.  Surely now the phone would go away.  The irritation meter was rising.  What happened next catapulted me to the edge.

This fifteen-year-old girl began leaning on my son’s shoulder!  In the middle of church! Knowing I’m his mother, she felt completely comfortable with not only sitting right between us and adoring her phone, but also now was lying on his shoulder?!  It was just too much for a mom to bear.

Lord, what do I do?  Just then, in a moment of clarity, my son’s eyes met mine and he mouthed the words, “Help me!”

“Help me!”  The sweetest words a mother could hear at that moment.

Without a moment of hesitation, I looked straight at the girl, lifted my pointer finger in the way moms do, and firmly said only one word, “NO!”

That one word was all that needed to be said. And just like the White Witch in Narnia sat at the sound of Aslan’s roar, this fifteen-year-old girl immediately sat up from her laying position, put her phone away, looked straight ahead, and said, “Ok”  in a voice that conveyed understanding.

Not that I am by any means Aslan, but as a mom and as a child of God, I have been given certain authorities.

When the apostle Paul was being bothered by a girl who annoyed him by constantly yelling “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation” and persisted in this for many days, Paul finally had enough. It says, “Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’  And he came out that very hour.”

There may not have been an evil spirit in the fifteen-year-old girl, but nonetheless, greatly annoyed, I  rose up with authority.

Thoughts of unworthiness or feelings of inferiority can plague those with abortion wounds. I personally struggled with these lies for years before freedom.  Renewing our mind to the truth of God’s Word does help.

We can only be free to the level we know the truth. 

However, only renewing our mind and taking full advantage of our authority is comparative to knowing a fifteen-year-old girl should not be lying on your son at church but then not stepping in to change the action.

We have that authority as believers in Christ.  We have authority to say, “No!”. When thoughts come against us that do not align with God’s truth, we can choose to just accept the lies or stand against the lies and tell them “No!”.

He has given us all authority in heaven for the pulling down of strongholds.  (2 Cor 10:4-5)

Any thought contrary to truth is crowding in on our space and needs to be told “No!”