Freedom reigns;

This afternoon I was reading through the beginning of Isaiah 9, and this verse stuck out to me in particular:


Isaiah 9:4 —You will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.


I began to think over the last couple years of my life and the different things that have chained me down, kept me stagnant, and caused great fear in my heart. And then I remembered how each of those things had been knocked down, pushed away, and annihilated with each step closer to Jesus. He brings freedom.


Fear constantly held me back. But God is bigger than all of my fears. (Eph 3:20)
Doubts flooded my mind. But God is constant and faithful to His promises. (1 Thess 5:24)
Timidity overtook my spirit. But God gave me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)


His strength and power has given me hope. He has made me bold and firm in His word.


I have been rescued from the depths of despair and loneliness; restored on a firm foundation filled with joy unspeakable because Jesus Christ is who he says he is and he can do what he says he can do. I am in absolute awe of his sovereignty. His name brings warmth to my heart because all that he promised me, all that he asked of me, all that I have done in his name...has never ever been useless. He knows what he's doing (Jer 29:11).


So, Merry Christmas! 2011 has been a year of exponential growth in my life. And 2012 only promises even more of it. I am enjoying every moment of God's crazy, spontaneous plan for my life. After all, it's ALL about him.


1 Thessalonians 2:4b — Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.


Praise his name on this glorious day! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.


(: