As we come into the FREEDOM weekend, we are often reminded of those that gave their lives for our freedom in the US. There are many that I think of, especially Adrian (my nephew was KIA Iraq 2007). But the most profound One to have given His life for us worms, was Christ.
God is one of three. The Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit (the comforter). God sent His Son to earth to be born as a human, to feel the pains, the temptations, to understand the struggles that we feel. Yes, He was God, but He still felt what you and i feel. The only way He could truly be our sacrifice was if He became like us.
See, we had messed things up so bad that God had to send us a Redeemer. The Jews had always used an animal for the sacrifice of their sins. But for us to be truly set FREE, One without spot or blemish had to be sacrificed.
Christ (which means Messiah or Anointed One) was sent to not only be our blood sacrifice to redeem us from our sins, but to set us FREE and to give us authority over ****.
Everyone that will read this, knows the story. (If you don't, please write me and i will be HAPPY to tell you all!) Jesus Christ was born as a baby, raised by human parents, learned in the temples, played with his friends, ate dinner, did chores, was human, yet was GOD.
He knew when He came into His ministry that His mission in life was to die for us. For those that loved Him and for those that HATED Him or simply refused to believe in Him. HE died for you, regardless of your love for Him. Regardless of how you have slammed Him. Regardless of the fact you don't believe in Him. He loves you. He believes in you.
Have you been rejected? Abused? Hurt? Abandoned? Shamed? Are you sick in your body?
Did you know that He took all of that on the cross so that you could be FREE from it forever?
He was rejected by those he knew...arrested.
He was abused...beaten, 39 lashes by a whip that contained bone and metal shards.
Hurt goes without saying.
He wasn't clothed on that cross. He was naked. It was cold. He had dried blood on his naked skin. He was hammered onto that cross and the people laughed at him. He was SHAMED.
His Father, the One in whom He always trusted and knew to be there. TURNED His back on Him while He took our sins and disease on that cross. Jesus was ABANDONED
I know that I have been rejected and abandoned by the ones meant to love me and protect me. I have been beaten and abused in some of the worst ways. I have felt the shame of those things. Molestation creates shame...some of the worst shame. It doesn't matter who says it wasn't your fault. It still hurts and causes you to feel less than. I've been raped. I've hurt. I've been sick, in my body and mind. I've hurt others. I've abused others. I acted on my hurt and hurt others. I was suicidal. I had virtually no hope. Drugs, sex, alcohol, outrageous lifestyle choices...yes, I was a stripper, yes I did a lot of drugs, yes i had a lot of sex, yes i hurt many that tried to love me. Why? I didn't feel loveable. I didn't love me.
I finally came to a place where I made a choice to live and not die. It was that desperate of a place. I sought God. I had played with Him so much over the years. This time, I had to TRULY seek Him. He didn't make it easy for me. But He says that when we seek Him with all of our hearts, He will be found my us. (jeremiah 29:11-14)
I was so determined. I wanted Him more than i wanted anything. because all i had left was death. nothing mattered to me anymore. i wanted to die, but that small hope was there...calling me to cling to life.
It has been five years since I finally quit playing with God and looked for Him and gave Him me. (i had quit most of that stuff before then, but was still playing with God, not going after Him with my whole heart) In these past five years, I have stumbled, fell and He picked me up. I've learned to die to my desires, die to myself, die to my worries. Anyone that knows me WELL knows that I struggle with the voices in my head often. I've gotten where I know how to shut them down with the Power and Authority Christ gave me, but sometimes...those voices are more difficult to shut up. It's like each level I go to in Him, there are new battles and new victories!
He took my (and your) shame, rejection, abandonment, hurt, abuse and sickness on that cross. It's not mine or yours, to carry around anymore! HE TOOK IT! It's time for you to let it go. You weren't created to carry that junk. He said "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and i will give you rest" (matthew 11:28). He wants you to give the worries and pain to Him.
Is it easy to live for him? No. But it's easier than living for yourself. He gives peace, joy, a purpose and a plan (Jeremiah 29:11 "For i know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.")
At this point in my life with Him, it is easy. Easier than it was two years ago. As with anything, you learn how to let go, you learn how to lean on Him, you seek Him in all things and rely totally on Him instead of trying to figure it out all the time. I'm analytical. I like to figure it out. I like to make it happen. That's been the hardest part for me, letting Him do it and not doing it myself.
Because of my life before Christ, i was very independent and did not trust anyone. (so, i'm still pretty private and kinda freakish about people getting in my life) But He took away my independence! He made me dependant on Him. I had a preacher give me a Word once that said "So step out on the water, go to jesus, put your trust in Him and let go of those things you call security and totally trust God to be the One who makes a way for you, you will see His Glory unfold, His Glory revealed and your prayers answered." and you know what? I have.
God supplies all my needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. He takes care of my every care.
people comment on here and in my daily life how FREE I am. It's because of Him. Because He died for me. I walk in that FREEDOM because I took Him at His word. I have died to myself. I am a corpse, the pain of this life can't hurt me now (read the note on here called I AM A CORPSE for better understanding on that). I love, I laugh, I live, not like I used to...but now i do it in His FREEDOM! I am His child and He is the King of the Universe...of EVERYTHING! You just have to have a tiny seed of faith...(mustard seed faith - Matthew 17:20). Hebrews 11 talks about all of the ones before us that walked BY FAITH.
It is by faith that I travel like i do. It is by faith that I pay my bills (thank God those are not many!), It is by faith that I know God has my future, my husband, my children. I walk by faith not by sight. I can't trust these human eyes, but I trust Him. It is by faith that I walk in His glorious FREEDOM and love!
Join me for FREEDOM? He loves you so much.
Peace!
-BBurns july 3, 2009
kidnapper 
icons to sow it justice 
I am glad you are enjoying the devotionals too.
HI FOLKS ~ we have cooler temps with some rain right now, but that's good becuz my flower bulbs are coming up today and I know the rain is helping them. We just stayed home today; and I did laundry, dusting, tidying up, and other light housechores, while DH tackled his shed. We had fish with baby cucumber & tomato salad. I had homefries and DH had regular baked fries with his. I just cut up a small, new potato and baked it with some olive oil and seasonings. 
