Lake Travis United Methodist Church

A shift has begun I believe, and the “Series of Stories” feels to have come to an end.  And so we pivot once more.

For years, when I would run into struggles, stress, any sort of hard times, I would search for the answers to my questions.  I would search for information in books, websites, from friends and family that would help me reason through, or figure out, my problems.  Every time I did this, I would search for days, even months, and then finally remember to go read my Bible.  And every single time, God met me where I was.  And the peace finally came.

I finally hit a point in my life, where God finally got through to me, and I began to start with the Bible - everyday (mostly 😊).  And from that journey that God took me on, I now have received freedom, and know how to go to Him when further freedom from sin and the things that hold us back in this world are troubling me.

Freedom.  What does God tell us about Freedom? (For we learn to always begin and end with God 😊).

Day 1: James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

• This week, begin to explore what “prayer” means to you, and what God wants it to mean to you!

Day 2: Revelation 7:10 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!

• Salvation is Christ’s alone!  The only path to salvation and freedom is Christ!
• Do you believe this?  Do you feel this truth in the deepest part of your heart and soul?  Do you feel this truth in every part of your being?  Ask God to help you explore and fully grasp this truth!  Ask God to explain this truth to you!

Day 3: Revelation 7:14 & 7:17 Those who are in “great tribulation,” Jesus “will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

• Ask God to show you what He means by this for you!  Ask Him what tears He wants to wipe away for you!  Let Him lead you through that healing.  Ask Him questions.  Wait for His answers.  Keep up that pattern until God lets you know He’s shared what He wants to with you!  It might take 15 minutes, it might take an hour!  Be ready to sit and talk with your beloved Father and hear what He wants to tell you!

Day 4: Isaiah 59:19  When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

• Ask God to show you when He has protected you from the enemy.  If you feel that you’re currently in a situation where the enemy is attacking, ask God for His protection.  Ask Him to show you how He will protect you.

Day 5: John 14:12-14  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

• Can you think of the great things that Jesus did while He walked on this earth?  He promises that those who believe in Him will do even greater things!  What feelings does that bring?  What questions perhaps may that bring?  Ask your Father and Jesus your friend.  Listen for their answer. 

Day 6: Psalm 111  Shout hallelujah to Yahweh!  May every one of his devoted lovers hear my passionate praise to him, even among the council of the holy ones.  For God’s mighty miracles astound me!  His wonders are so delightfully mysterious that they leave all who seek them astonished.  Everything he does is full of splendor and beauty!  Each miracle demonstrates his eternal perfection.  His unforgettable works of surpassing wonder reveal his grace and tender mercy.  He satisfies all who love and trust him, and he keeps every promise he makes.  He reveals mighty power and marvels to his people by handing them nations as a gift.  All God accomplishes is flawless, faithful, and fair, and his every word proves trustworthy and true.  They are steadfast forever and ever, formed from truth and righteousness.  His forever-love paid a full ransom for his people so that now we’re free to come before Yahweh to worship his holy and awesome name!  Where can wisdom be found? It is born in the fear of God.  Everyone who follows his ways will never lack his living-understanding. And the adoration of God will abide throughout eternity!

• Allow these truths to wash over you and flow through you.  Let them settle in your heart and fill your being.  Ask God to highlight for you what He wants you to hold onto from this scripture today.

Day 7: Psalm 34:4 I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.

• Do you believe this in your entire being?  Can you draw close to Him and feel His presence with you?  Can you ask Him to free you from your fears today?  Name them out loud.  Write them down.  Picture yourself handing them over to Him.  Ask Him to show you what He does with your fears once you give them to Him.  Ask Him to show you what He replaces your fears with.  Hold onto these truths forevermore!

God is powerful, and therefore His healing and freedom is powerful.  As you embark on this journey, please make sure that you have someone you can talk to about these things - a loved one, a friend, even a counselor.  Sometimes as we have these sorts of conversations with God, we can feel overwhelmed, question what we’ve heard, or feel isolated with our feelings.  Please know that God gives this freedom and healing freely, and there are many in this community that can share these experiences along with you.  Always reach out and share what God is doing in your life - for your own comfort and for what it can offer to others.

I invite you to go on a journey towards Freedom with God.  He can heal us and free us in ways we never felt imaginable.  I hope you will join me, as weekly we will allow God to lead us on a path to freedom, not only for ourselves, but so that we can share His promises and freedom with others.

May God bless your time with Him this week.  May you look upon the face of Jesus and see Him in all His glory.  May the Holy Spirit move in you in ways you’ve never felt before.  May the God of hope, and love, and peace, be your full and complete protection throughout your every day.  Amen...So be it 😊