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Sunday, October 24, 2010

My Suitcase of Bondage

There are days when I carry my suitcase like a tortoise carrying his home on its back. These I call normal days.  Normality to me means hanging in there!  Sometimes I wonder why I bother to carry this suitcase around. Of course, this suitcase of mine has a lot of different colourful panels and compartments.   And I love colourful, bright things! Don’t you think this is quite cute?  I suppose you’d like to know what’s in this suitcase of mine. Okay! Here’s a sneak preview:

Yes, I thought you’d be a bit surprised! When I look at this suitcase now, you can just imagine what’s running through my mind!  What else...  I am so exhausted by the load that it seems like I’m a prisoner walking with a ball and chain in a prison yard. You might ask me some questions like:
Why do you carry your sins in this bag?  Are you nuts? Don’t you know how clever and devious Satan is? Now wait a minute, the only reason I’m carrying my sins in this suitcase is because I think I can try and hide it in little compartments far away from God. But, then just when I think things are running smoothly, Satan barges onto the scene with his scheming plans of a quick fix. He’s adamant that he can use my sin as a diversion to keep me away from God. Then he tries everything in his power to conquer my spirit. He even brings my sin’s sidekick in the form of conflict, resentment, anger, jealousy, and what not to try and make me a slave to sin. As expected, Satan is singing and dancing because he knows that these are the times that I am proud of myself because I want to be God. I want to wear his crown. I want to be King! He laughs at me silently when he sees that I want to take control of our own ship. He beats his fists against his chest when he realizes that my ship is about to sink. But, then out of the blue, his dreams comes crashing down when I humble myself before God and throw away my foolish pride and plead with Our Heavenly Father to forgive me from all my sins. God, the forgiving father that he is, then pours out his mercy and grace on me taking me in his arms just like a father would. Once more he gives me the assurance I need that my sins are forgiven without any conditions. (Hebrews 8:12) 12 For God will be merciful to our unrighteousness. He will remember our sins and lawless deeds no more.”  As soon as I’m forgiven, I know that Satan has failed in his quest to conquer my spirit. So, this is when I picture myself carrying my suitcase [back pack] like a mountain climber reaching the summit of Mount Everest. It is in this instance when I realize that I have left all my sins at the top of that mountain at the foot of the cross. This is the time when I know that God has forgiven me from all my inequities.  He has cleansed me from my sin and that my heart is scarlet no more because it is now as white as snow. (I John 1:9) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is then that I know God is the only captain of my ship. And all I have to do is put my ship in cruise control. Isn’t that amazing?
Prayer: Father God, I come before you a sinner who falls short every time.  Please forgive me of my foolish pride, my fits of anger when things don’t go my way. Help me not to judge others harshly. Let me not take part in any gossip of any kind. Just help me to keep my mind on you Lord. Help me to let go of all past hurts and wrongs that was inflicted by friends or family. Lord, help me to forgive those people who have wronged me.  Please help me also to be like you in everything I do or say. Amen

This is how I strive to be!

How do you carry your suitcase?

 Be blessed,
Cheryl

3 comments:

  1. This post is very encouraging! Satan is always trying to hold us down but we have the ultimate redeemer!

    I especially love this line, "As soon as I’m forgiven, I know that Satan has failed in his quest to conquer my spirit." Awesome!

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  2. Hey Cheryl!

    I stumbled upon your blog this evening and I'm so blessed by your words here!

    Praise the Lord for so great a Salvation He has provided us!!

    I'm following along with you now and hope you'll stop by my place for a visit sometime.....I love meeting new bloggin' sisters in the Lord!

    HE IS FAITHFUL!!

    Blessings!
    Jackie

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  3. Hi Cheryl,

    Thanks for your visit to my blog and your warm words. I had to pop in to visit with you and get to know you a bit. I always appreciate meeting another sister in Christ on and off line.

    Powerful message Cheryl. This is an important area for me that I live and teach on. I shared a few brief moments of a message on bondage (free to be me) at a retreat last year. If you'd like to take a moment and visit here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKb-sHihqeo&feature=player_embedded

    I praise GOD for your heart to share here! I'm looking forward to visiting again! Blessings to you!

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