Freedom in Choices

"I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments" Exodus 6:6.

Bondage -
The state of one who is bound as a slave or serf.
A state of subjection to a force, power, or influence.


What weaknesses keep you bound? Are you a slave to anything in your life? Is it a drug addiction, a bad habit of smoking, eating unhealthy, always in a state of fear and worry, insecurity, negative thinking or even addicted to a destructive relationship? We have so many choices in our lives, but sometimes instead of choosing God's best for us, we choose what is familiar, comfortable and easy. God encourages us to choose life, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction" Deu 30: 15 I knew I had a choice and I knew that God's way was best for me, but sometimes I would just ignore the truth and chose to do what I wanted to do. Instead of trying to stop smoke you just give in, it feels good so why stop? Or have a physical relationship with someone who does not treat you right, or who you are not married to. Isn't it easy to just give in to the pleasure and have some fun? Don't let the devil deceive you into choosing death over life. Yes it is easier but afterwards the shame, guilt and regret sets in and soaks your soul. But be encouraged! God can and will set you free, He WILL rescue you. When you make that first initial decision to make a change in your life and follow God's will - you will be amazed at how much easier it is each time. Saying no becomes easier to say :) Say No to addiction, brokenness and passivity! Say Yes to God and stand up against those things that hold you down, look to Him for guidance and His power to help you overcome. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you". Luke 10:19 You have the Power of God on your side. Nothing can keep you from the perfect, loving and happy life He has planned for you - you need only look to Him and let Him guide you. Let's choose life together friends, let us all choose to follow Christ!


Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for being my best friend and savior. Holy Spirit please remind me that Jesus did not die on the cross to save me once, but remind me that Jesus continually cleanses and saves me. Thank you for your good and perfect will and help me live according to it and have a life of happiness, love and prosperity. Amen 

Desires of Your Heart

"Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's"

Psalm 103:5

Photo source by me (Krystal H. Cartwright) Taken in Nassau, Bahamas (Eastern part of the island)

In today's world there is so much focus on desire, money, power, lust, sex, pleasure and gratification. Married couples fall off the foundation of "keeping the marriage bed holy Heb 13:4" and into the "excitement and thrill" of affairs. Young people subject their bodies to sexual lusts that leave them unsatisfied. People use mind alternating drugs, which leave them miserable after the high has faded. We have all put ourselves in jeopardy in some way or another in pursuit of unbridled happiness. Drinking the night away, waking up saying "Oh I'll never drink again", sleeping with people who don't treat us right just for the physical pleasure or just simply for the fleeting comfort. We search and search, we give ourselves away to our lusts, leaving a piece of ourselves in each unfulfilling pleasure. The only true pleasure, the only true love, the only real satisfaction and contentment you will ever experience is in God and God alone - not in a career, another person, money or material things. "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" Psalm16:11. It is only in our Creator we have that peace of being enough just the way we are. Come to Him and open your heart up to that exhilarating truth and love that only He can give unconditionally. "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4. God knows the desires in your heart, come to Him, learn of Him, in His word and your heart will be restored and grateful. "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14 You were not made to live apart from God, you were made to be loved and it is God's love that will sustain you, cleanse you, release you from the world's harshness and bondage. Spend time in His Word, make an effort to pray every day and see for yourself how those pleasures of the world that seemed so important and vital before, can never compare to what you will find in Him. "Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all -- on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully" 1 Peter 5:7. Spiritual freedom, supernatural provision, freedom from anxiety and worry, powerful protection, contentment and rest in knowing you are completely loved.

-Krystal H. Cartwright

(broken to chosen)

Lighting Darkness

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ”John 8:12 

  

Sometimes the world can seem so dark. Children dying, wars going on, violence and murder in our country. There seems to be no regard for life. Mothers are heartbroken, fathers are frustrated or absent. Children have to grow up quickly in order to survive in a world riddled with sex, drugs and violence. But do not fear tomorrow, for Jesus said I am the light of the world. Although we are attacked by darkness everyday, remember your Lord and Savior. Rest in His truth and light. Follow Him and He will direct your path to honor. Goodness and mercy will follow you. He has the light of LIFE, He died so that you can have life and enjoy it, abundantly. John 10:10  Even in your “thought life”, I battled with negative and dark thoughts for many years. Thoughts about your self worth, your future, even how you look at people. Don’t let the darkness turn you into a miserable, bitter person. Let Jesus’ light shine in your life, learn to think like Him. Tell yourself “I am a new creation, God does not hold my past against me so I won’t hold it against me”,