Oh my!
The humidity has been "deafening" these past few days... with very little relief. It has cooled off a little at night and with a fan, one is able to sleep. So it was again this morning as I began my morning routine of tidying up the kitchen ... My hubby says that some mornings "hurricane Ruthie" hits the kitchen with a vengeance... :)
This morning I was emptying the dishwasher and this "popped" into my head
"Beads of sweat sit on my brow,
Beads of blood were on HIS."
This stopped me up short ... I thought about these words and tears came to my eyes as I recalled what He endured for my freedom -
Freedom in Christ -
Freedom from the consequences of my sin because He took my sin to the cross!
Freedom to live in victory!
Freedom to defeat the devil at every corner!
Freedom to give HIM praise for and in and thru my circumstances!
Freedom to live beyond my fears!
Freedom to surrender all to HIM!
Freedom to live for eternity!
Hallelujah!
Oh Father God, I praise you this morning for the gentle reminder of WHO You are and WHAT You did for me... for all of humanity. May I never again contemplate the "beads of sweat" I am enduring without thinking of the "beads of blood" He endured. May this always be a reminder to me of Your gracious love!
Praise You, Lord!
Resting in HIM,
Ruthie
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Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freedom. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Circus Elephants
I read this story a few weeks ago and am feeling led to share it with you:
When circus elephants are still little and weak, they are chained to iron stakes in the ground, which prevent them from breaking free and running away. This allows their trainers to keep them close, work with them, and prepare them for their routines. What's strange is that even after the little elephants grow into huge powerful animals capable of lifting a ton or more with their trunks, they remain restricted by these same miniature stakes in the ground. Even when they are more than strong enough to yank the stake out of the ground and roam free, they don't do it. They don't even try. They remain limited by the old boundaries. Sometimes we demonstrate this type of helplessness as well. We focus on the little stake (or mistake) from our past and forget that, with God's help, we have the power to release whatever has been holding us back.
One day, after reading this story, I noticed that our little one year old, 4 pound Yorkie (Teddie) could have gotten free from his "room" (kennel) if he had but pushed on the door ... but he didn't do so. He is so used to being in there to sleep, or while we are out of the house, and not getting out until we let him out, that he didn't even try to move the door... which had not been latched properly. This has occurred a few times in the past weeks.
I began to wonder about myself.
Am I still bound by an old boundary or mistake or thought from the past?
Am I capable of pulling out the stake or shoving open the door - but because of old habits or old ways of thinking I am stuck? Or I think I am stuck?
Whoa!
What about you?
Can you relate to the elephants? or to Teddie?
Dear Father God,
Your Word tells us that we can do all things thru You who gives us strength! I pray, dear Lord, for myself and all who find themselves following in the footsteps of the elephants... Give us wisdom, Lord: give us Your strength, Lord - to break free - to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us on the Cross! Convict us, Father, of the "Stakes" we need to pull up - of the "doors" we need to push open! Then enable us to move in the direction You so want us to move in! I thank You, Father, for Your love, and Your grace.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Blessings on you, dear ones!
Ruthie
When circus elephants are still little and weak, they are chained to iron stakes in the ground, which prevent them from breaking free and running away. This allows their trainers to keep them close, work with them, and prepare them for their routines. What's strange is that even after the little elephants grow into huge powerful animals capable of lifting a ton or more with their trunks, they remain restricted by these same miniature stakes in the ground. Even when they are more than strong enough to yank the stake out of the ground and roam free, they don't do it. They don't even try. They remain limited by the old boundaries. Sometimes we demonstrate this type of helplessness as well. We focus on the little stake (or mistake) from our past and forget that, with God's help, we have the power to release whatever has been holding us back.
One day, after reading this story, I noticed that our little one year old, 4 pound Yorkie (Teddie) could have gotten free from his "room" (kennel) if he had but pushed on the door ... but he didn't do so. He is so used to being in there to sleep, or while we are out of the house, and not getting out until we let him out, that he didn't even try to move the door... which had not been latched properly. This has occurred a few times in the past weeks.
I began to wonder about myself.
Am I still bound by an old boundary or mistake or thought from the past?
Am I capable of pulling out the stake or shoving open the door - but because of old habits or old ways of thinking I am stuck? Or I think I am stuck?
Whoa!
What about you?
Can you relate to the elephants? or to Teddie?
Dear Father God,
Your Word tells us that we can do all things thru You who gives us strength! I pray, dear Lord, for myself and all who find themselves following in the footsteps of the elephants... Give us wisdom, Lord: give us Your strength, Lord - to break free - to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us on the Cross! Convict us, Father, of the "Stakes" we need to pull up - of the "doors" we need to push open! Then enable us to move in the direction You so want us to move in! I thank You, Father, for Your love, and Your grace.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Blessings on you, dear ones!
Ruthie
Monday, May 17, 2010
Freedom & New Life!
Freedom & New Life...
IN HIM!
HALLELUJAH!
I see Jesus all around me! I thank HIM for that!
The other day we heard a scratching noise in the kitchen. We used to have a wood stove there and have had it removed. Hubby covered the "hole" with somekind of Cap, I guess it is called. Any way... the scratching was coming from inside the cap... hubby unscrewed the cover, put his hand inside, and came out with a Starling... somehow she had flown down in there and was trapped... just like we get trapped in our sin. Scratching and fighting to get out - but we need a Savior - we need a rescuer! As hubby was this bird's rescuer so is Christ for us! Hallelujah!
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
Hubby took the bird to the door, opened his hand, and away she flew!
FREE!
I can only imagine the relief she felt at this time!
I KNOW the relief I felt when I was saved!
Oh! the chains were gone! I'd been set free!
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
Just yesterday we had a new calf born - a male - we named him Moses.
Here's a picture of him and mom...
IN HIM!
HALLELUJAH!
I see Jesus all around me! I thank HIM for that!
The other day we heard a scratching noise in the kitchen. We used to have a wood stove there and have had it removed. Hubby covered the "hole" with somekind of Cap, I guess it is called. Any way... the scratching was coming from inside the cap... hubby unscrewed the cover, put his hand inside, and came out with a Starling... somehow she had flown down in there and was trapped... just like we get trapped in our sin. Scratching and fighting to get out - but we need a Savior - we need a rescuer! As hubby was this bird's rescuer so is Christ for us! Hallelujah!
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
Hubby took the bird to the door, opened his hand, and away she flew!
FREE!
I can only imagine the relief she felt at this time!
I KNOW the relief I felt when I was saved!
Oh! the chains were gone! I'd been set free!
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
Just yesterday we had a new calf born - a male - we named him Moses.
Here's a picture of him and mom...
We took a walk yesterday and everywhere are signs of new life - as well as in the pasture! Springtime is a time or renewal and re-birth ... I can't help but reflect on the New LIFE I have because of Chris't sacrifice for me! I am so thankful! Words can't express how I feel!
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
Take some time today to reflect on your new life in Him and the freedom that He's brought to you! Look for evidence of HIM in your daily walk! He's there! I know you'll find Him!
May your heart be joyful today - even in the midst -
Have a thankful, favorful day in Him!
Blessings!
Ruthie
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