Freedom in the In-Between May 2025
As I deal with inflammation in my body—fighting it off—it requires some painful adjustments, like eating differently. It means I need to change how I respond to my cravings. I have to say no to nighttime treats. It's this consistent, daily, changed response where I will develop freedom in my life.
The same is true for spiritual and emotional healing. If I’m struggling with God—blaming Him, getting mad at Him—I need to recognize that I don’t really know Him. I’m in a place of bondage. Why? Because I know the Scripture says God is love. But my feelings lock me down in this place.
I essentially cannot look God in the eyes because I hold contempt in my heart toward Him—because I’ve held my ideals or expectations against Him. But what if I allowed the Bible to get in the way of my theology?
What does it look like to daily change my response in a consistent manner toward Him? Like my choices to ignore my cravings, I can say to myself every morning, “Self, God is love.” So when I have a thought that He is against me, I repeat, “God, You are love. Thank You for Your love.”
It sounds simple, but it will change me—not immediately, but eventually. My mind will be released from the lie I’ve been believing, because I replace it with the truth.
Our neural pathways are designed to be changed and rewritten. That is why I have no reason to allow sin in this world—or my past mistakes—to remain in my identity.
It is my job to change this—to change my future. I am responsible, not God. God has a deep desire that I be free of anything that keeps me in bondage. These things can be found in my psyche, in my soul, my emotions, and even in my body.
Some of the horrible things that I’ve allowed in my past to stay on the road of my future are:
Accidents and injuries
Being defined by divergence
Fibromyalgia
Pain
Broken and failed relationships
Abuse
The failure to recognize the abusers
In order for me to change the road of my future, I need to do a deep examination of my inner self to discover: What or who is driving me on this road? What is enticing me into sin?
“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”
—James 5:10 NKJV
—James 5:10 NKJV
This is what I pray:
Holy Spirit, I give You free reign to access every area of my life. I want to learn, listen, and look for Your guidance and direction. I know that there can be some pain that will pave the path to complete spiritual healing and restoration.
Holy Spirit, I give You free reign to access every area of my life. I want to learn, listen, and look for Your guidance and direction. I know that there can be some pain that will pave the path to complete spiritual healing and restoration.
I allow that, and I choose not to be afraid of it—because I know that the pain I might experience in removing garbage from the peripheral places of my life is pain I can endure. You have given me the strength.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.”
—Psalm 84:11 NKJV
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.”
—Psalm 84:11 NKJV
So, as I deal with inflammation in my body—fighting it off—I know it will require some painful adjustments. As I do, help me see the freedom at the end, not the harsh in-between—believing for better days of freedom and success.
It’s in this constant, daily, changed response that I will find freedom in my life.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding me in every moment of my life of the lies that need to be uprooted—even in the simple things.
I look forward to seeing how You have grown me in strength and endurance—until I have the stamina to walk with You on the long journey of this road.
Faith in the Emergency Room April 30, 2025
~This devotional reflects on Psalm 75 and James 1:2-8. Full Bible texts are included at the bottom for you.
Recently, I have found myself giving so much—sacrificing my life, my time, my energy, and even placing my own dreams on the back burner. I have poured myself into helping those in crisis. Some say that I am skilled in the "spiritual emergency room," a place where urgent intervention is needed. But I know I am not perfect. Along the way, I have made mistakes. At times, I may be too bold, too harsh, too rough around the edges.
Yet, in an emergency, sometimes pain must come before healing can take place. It's easy to criticize oneself and agree with those who are hurting. When emotions run high, when wounds are fresh, when words cut deep, the temptation to absorb their pain as truth. But true healing requires courage—both for the healer and the wounded. I must remind myself that being called to serve does not mean I will always get it right; it means I must continue to lean on God’s wisdom, trusting that He refines me through the process.
I’ve been reading Psalm 75, particularly verse 10, which says:
"All the horns of the wicked will also be cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."
I’ve been contemplating what this means. In the Bible, horns symbolize strength, power, and authority. If you look at the preceding verses, the psalmist first gives thanks to God, declaring His wondrous works, before acknowledging that the wicked boast in their own strength and authority. He knows the proper order on how to deal with hurting people. He recognizes who is truly in charge and how we should act in the middle of word storms.
This passage reminds me of the times when I have had to tend to the bleeding souls around me—when the spirit of Accusation tries to wound me by whispering, You were too rough. You did harm rather than help. Those words can cut deeply because, sometimes, the Accuser comes painfully close to the truth. Sometimes, the enemy uses those closest to us to deliver his attacks.
But I am convicted to stand firm in defiant joy—to remain rooted in truth, even when faced with judgment and misunderstanding. What strikes me most about this verse is that God commands us to remove the horns of the wicked. He doesn’t do it Himself—we are called to take action. Then, as we obey, He exalts the horns of the righteous.
Ironically, in the same devotional reading, I also reflected on James 1:2-8. James speaks about faith—how without works, our faith is meaningless. Verbal faith is not enough. Mental faith is insufficient. Genuine faith must inspire and empower us into holy action.
I truly believe that God calls me into these urgent situations—not because I love a particular person more than others, but because I love Him. Because I love saying yes to Him.
James 1:5 stood out to me:
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
There is actually a divine formula in these verses for success. Joy produces patience, which perfects and completes us—so that we lack nothing. If we choose this path every time, we will always find ourselves sustained. But the key is verse 5: when we recognize lack in our lives, we must ask God for wisdom. And He will give it generously, without hesitation.
However, James warns that doubt disrupts this process. Even the smallest seed of doubt will toss us like waves upon the sea. Doubt becomes the very barrier to healing. Someone can be brought to the emergency room, but if they doubt they can be helped, if they doubt they can be supported, if they doubt that God always loves, heals, protects, and abundantly gives—their healing will slow and, at times, even stop altogether.
This morning, my prayer is this:
When Accusation has a huge foothold on others, and when they accuse and join with darkness and repeat the offenses, help me, Lord, to let the wicked fall away like chaff and leave behind what remains—righteousness.
When my heart is hurt, Lord, because I allowed it to speak to my life, because when I got weary, I let others break my boundaries and then turned around and accused me—and then I let those accusations stick—Lord, You tell me to cut off those horns of the wicked.
I will not come into agreement with the Accuser. No matter how close to the truth the Accuser gets, I will not come into agreement. No matter who the Accuser uses, I will not come into agreement even if it might mean a loss of a relationship temporarily.
I will move myself away, and I will cut it off. It will hurt, but Jesus, You are the great repairer of open wounds. You are the healer, Holy Spirit, and I will rely and lean heavily on You.
I will patiently wait for the horns of righteousness to be exalted by You. I will ask from You wisdom to be my mantle, and You will give generously.
Thank You for the courts of Heaven where I have been made perfect and holy because of what Jesus did.
“As I reflect on the beauty of creation and God’s healing touch woven throughout this devotional, I am reminded of a song close to my heart—'Swept Away.' It speaks of being carried by the awe of God's creation and the comfort found in His presence. I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me. Take a moment to listen and reflect. Allow its melody and message to draw you closer to the One who heals, restores, and carries you through every trial."
Psalm 75 (NKJV):
"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly. Selah
I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.’
"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly. The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly. Selah
I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.’
For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is fully mixed, and He pours it out; surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down.
But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. ‘All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.’”
James 1:2-8 (NKJV):
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
WISDOM_______________________UNDERSTANDING
Have you ever had someone lie about you? Betray you, say things so against your character? I've had the most ridiculous lies told about me. Unfortunately, this has happened to me more times than I can count throughout my life. It started in my childhood by a parent, through school, high school, in church. Even my best friends have turned on me. I've lost jobs because of it.
It's very easy to become mistrustful, not reveal who I really am, and to stay hidden. It's also easy to think that maybe it's me, maybe there's something so broken about me and I deserve it. Ridiculous!
I've walked away from situations so broken and hurt that it's everything in me not to slime, slander, and throw insults towards the offender.
There were times when I just wanted to see God vindicate me, to show me that he really does have my back especially when somebody's lying about me. Recently, one of these situations came to light from my past and I can see that God is doing something because the offender is being challenged, and people are starting to see the lies that they tell. It reminded me that I'm not crazy and those things did happen to me. It tells me that God is handling each of our hearts and our lives in his time.
Proverbs 10:7: The memory of the righteous is blessed but the name of the wicked will rot.
Eventually, the quality of our work and efforts will show with time. Maybe you've been hurt because you've honored God with your gifts and others have been jealous of that, and they've tried to create a place of prominence for themselves. Maybe it's a leader who can't handle anyone rising above them? Remember this verse. Eventually, all will be revealed when those that rise to a place of leadership or prosperity through cheating or lies will falter. They will be humbled, and you will sit back, feeling extremely sad for them and pray for them. Because your heart wants people free; free to live in truth, wisdom, and understanding. And you will not laugh, mock, or scorn them, but rather bring them back to Jesus where you know that healing is there for them.
Prayer: Lord, you know the things that have been said about me, things even I don't know. I pray for continued protection of my heart and soul that I may not encounter them anymore, that your angel armies will buffet me from those storms. I pray for my enemies, I pray for freedom, truth, wisdom, and understanding to be in front of them. I pray that they can't walk anywhere but straight into it. I ask for an immediate stop on their ability to speak or put into motion slander and dissension. Bind up the words of the enemy against your people. Continue to give me a heart like David, who just wants to praise and worship you in the center of wisdom and understanding.
April 12, 2024
MERCY__________________________________TRUTH
ungodly compromise /\ unfeeling legalism
ungodly compromise /\ unfeeling legalism
Prov 3: 3-4
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.
I have been asking the Lord for a while now: How are my brothers and sisters in Christ falling away, changing their thinking so much that it is hard to see how they differ from the world and its ways? How can their thoughts and beliefs move so far away from the spirit of TRUTH found all through scripture that they begin to not just allow sin into their hearts but actually promote and encourage it? It's almost as if their reasoning and understanding become jilted; they are unable to see what might be obvious to others.
Today, there are lots of culturally NORMAL ways to think; ideals to embrace that are very different from our predecessors. If we were to walk a moment in the past, we would see these same questions being asked.
Then I stumble onto this verse, and I see something new…
I begin to ask more questions.
How do we bind Mercy and Truth around our necks? It makes me think of jewelry or perfume—something to be displayed, proud of, to show off, to change the atmosphere with a fragrant aroma. It is beautiful; it should not be hidden. We are to remember it every day, every time we see our reflection to be reminded of it. When others see it, they should be drawn into it, even comment on how beautiful it is.
Today, there are lots of culturally NORMAL ways to think; ideals to embrace that are very different from our predecessors. If we were to walk a moment in the past, we would see these same questions being asked.
Then I stumble onto this verse, and I see something new…
I begin to ask more questions.
How do we bind Mercy and Truth around our necks? It makes me think of jewelry or perfume—something to be displayed, proud of, to show off, to change the atmosphere with a fragrant aroma. It is beautiful; it should not be hidden. We are to remember it every day, every time we see our reflection to be reminded of it. When others see it, they should be drawn into it, even comment on how beautiful it is.
This diagram reveals what happens when they are not balanced. When there is Truth but no Mercy, we tend to behave and communicate unfeeling legalism. When Mercy does not accompany Truth, we will move towards ungodly compromises. It's here that I see many of my kingdom family stooping.
Many have experienced so much of this type of truth in the past, feeling the legalism of Christianity, feeling the unkindness of religion. It has left its stripes on the injured, and we have become afraid to lean into Truth because we do not want to repeat this. But culture has had a knee-jerk reaction to this and has moved us so far away from Truth towards a condemning type of mercy; where Truth IN Love is now no longer accepted, in fact, we are ‘arrested’ for thinking differently.
Where does that leave us as people who want to adorn both Truth and Mercy?
We must be balanced in both, lean hard into both, trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide us with Wisdom. We mustn’t be afraid to rumble with the fear of hurting another with Truth; additionally, we mustn’t be afraid to be Merciful to those who are hurting no matter the sin. It is not our job to be responsible for another's heart when their sin hurts them in the face of Truth, nor be responsible for another thinking we ‘condone’ their mistakes because we are compassionate or understanding. Leave the work of the Holy Spirit alone.
Proverbs 3: 3-4 leaves me hopeful. Why? If culture is leaning this hard into mercy that it's compromised all things Godly, then I know we are ready for the pendulum to swing back to center. So I ready myself for this moment so I can ‘slide’ along this teeter-totter and balance the system back to the way of healing and freedom, Truth and Mercy.
Prayer: Lord help us that want to be culture changers, to be ready to adjust ourselves so that we can help balance this hurting and painful world. Help us to bring Your Truth and Mercy in a balanced way, to be adorned with that beauty. I pray the fragrance of it, the beauty of it, will be smelled on us, seen on us, so much so that others will comment on its preciousness. I pray for those hurting and being misled into compromises that cause harm, I speak Truth into those situations so healing can be experienced. In Jesus' Name.
March 20, 2024
Feeling overwhelmingly sad? Sense dense pressure?
2 Samuel 19:1-8
David lost his son Absalom in a great battle against him because his son became his enemy. All of David's people fought hard, many losing their lives in order to save David's life, his family, and his kingdom. When the dust settled, David mourned for his son, for he truly wanted him to live. He stated, "... if only I had died in your place!" His mourning invited the spirit of death, wishing for a different outcome. He did not focus on the will of the Lord, for God brought this victory. It was Joab, the very man who killed Absalom in spite of David's request to keep him alive. Joab was brave and set David straight by telling him that he was going to have far worse problems than he ever had in his youth if he didn't change the road that he was on of this extreme mourning. So David got up and went to the gate where all could see his face and changed his attitude, and people were no longer afraid of his sorrow.
In today's culture, we are being forced to continually look back into our country's past and see the great battles and losses. And that requires us to walk continually in a spirit of mourning, of extreme sadness. We forget that the Lord has given this country victory upon victory while we live in unity side by side nation with nation, culture with culture, and in relative harmony. We grow, we thrive, we take care of one another when catastrophes come.
We need to celebrate these victories. We need to posture ourselves in a spirit of gratitude and celebration for what God has done in our country and is continuing to do. When we take the cloak of sorrow onto us, we heap far more guilt and sin into ourselves and our lives. And we open the door to more of Satan's condemnation.
Get up, rise up priest, princesses, rulers, and take the keys of the Kingdom. And celebrate together for He has and He will!
MARCH 17, 2024