Sunday Sermon: T. D. Jake Sermon - Free Your Mind

Inspirational Video Moment: Silent Night

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Video Credit: ARAND Video Services

Inspirational Video Moment: God is Generous in Giving

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Video Credit: ARAND Video Services

Learning to Dance in the Rain Movie

Check out this truly inspirational video!  There is so much to be thankful for....

Learning to Dance in the Rain Movie

Sermon Sunday - Vision + Mission = Change

Emmett G. Price III from Community of Love Christian Fellowship in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts preaches the powerful word of God.

New Life Today Blog: My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For G...

New Life Today Blog: My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For G...: Editor's Note:  When I read the following article, I shed a tear.  As a domestic violence survivor myself, I understand totall...

My Abuser Meant To Harm Me, But God Meant It For Good by Candy Goldie - Testimony Tuesday

Editor's Note:  When I read the following article, I shed a tear.  As a domestic violence survivor myself, I understand totally what the author means.  My abuser intended to kill me - to totally annihilate me, but God had another plan for my life.  I thank God for allowing me to see that the abuse I experienced could serve a purpose.  Instead of being bitter, through God, the experience has made me better - a better mother, a better person, a better Christian.  I am more than just a domestic violence survivor.  Through God's grace and mercy, I am now  a Baptist minister, creator of an inspirational blog (www.newlifetodayblog.com) and Founder of Love Is Kind Empowerment Services, Inc. (www.loveiskind.org), a new faith-based nonprofit that will provide services to empower survivors spiritually, financially, psychologically and physically; prevent domestic violence; encourage all women to make health relationship choices; and educate religious organizations, educational institutions, and businesses about how best they can deal with the issue of domestic violence. 

As Genesis 50:20 proclaims, You intended to harm me,

but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

This is the testimony that I shared at Safe Harbor's Candlelight Vigil in October of 2009, upon being honored one of the volunteer's of the year. It is a testament of how God provides, gives purpose and deliver's. Every single ounce of this testimony is to glorify him.

First, I want to give God the praise and glory for he knew the plans he had for me even back when I felt no hope that I would survive my own ten year battle with domestic violence. I know now that when I cried, God was catching all my tears with his loving hands. He even knew the number of hairs that my abuser yanked from my head. I use to ask God, "Why does this have to happen to me?" He didn't answer that question until this Summer (2009). 
                                                                                                                 
This past June, all of the Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter Volunteers were given a tour of Harbor Hill; The new permanent housing apartments for victims of domestic violence. I couldn't wait to see what it was all about. As soon as I walked into the first apartment, chills ran down my whole body and I felt as if a wave had crashed all over me. I had to help! Immediately I signed up to adopt a one bedroom apartment. I chose a small apartment because I thought it would be the easiest to furnish. I began praying and fasting for God's will to be done and for his blessings to fill that apartment so full that it would overflow into other apartments.

A week later, I found out that because of shelter overcrowding, all the one bedroom apartments were taken, so I chose a two bedroom apartment. By this time my church had embraced the idea and partnered with me to help. 

From the very beginning, God pressed upon me to do this project without a budget, so for six weeks I collected donations of new or used household items from various sources. I received NO MONEY! We set up three separate decorating days. The first was for small stuff, the second for large stuff and the last day was for making final touches. Many of the women and children from my church helped to bring this apartment together. My Pastor also came by to pray for the future of it's first resident.

By the second decorating day, we began to notice that not only did we have everything that we needed to furnish the apartment, but we had collected so many items that we could share them with several other apartments. That was an answer to my prayer. But God also threw in an added bonus, everything that we had collected also matched; enabling us to have pretty themed rooms.

By this time, we found out that a victim and her two daughters had toured our apartment and chose it to be their new home. All they would have to do is move in and start living. Their move-in day was to take place as soon as we finished up on our last decorating day. During the final decorating day, this sweet precious lady kept calling the property manager to see if we were finished yet. I can only imagine that she was in knots the night before as she thought about the brand new life that she and her daughters were going to have the next day. The property manager shared with me, a statement from this victim that I will never forget. When she walked into her new bedroom, she laid back onto her bed, cried and said "I can't believe, all this for me!" Those words are going to be etched on my heart forever. 

I don't know how God could ever bless me more than he did through this project. Because he finally revealed to me the reason why I had to be a victim of domestic violence. For his divine purpose and glory. You see, my abuser meant to harm me, but God meant it for good. He knew I would answer his call and use the talents and passion that he gave me to help bring all that together, JUST FOR HER. 

Thank you (Safe Harbor) for the precious honor of being one of the 2009 Volunteer's of the Year. I consider it to be another blessing from God.

Inspirational Video: Christian Comedian and Pastor Corey Tabor

It is said that laughter is good for the soul. If that is the case, then your soul will definitely appreciate today's Inspirational Video, featuring Pastor, Comedian, Author, and Life Coach Corey Tabor.  Enjoy...

Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence - Inspirational Video Mondays

Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence

Inspirational Video Moment: Forgiveness

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Video Credit: ARAND Video Services

Sermon Sunday: Do People Have to Stay in Abusive Relationships?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, New Life Today Blog is devoting the week of October 21, 2012 to addressing this issue.

The topic for this week's Sermon Sunday is 

"Do People Have to Stay in Abusive Relationships?  

The answer, according to Pastor Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church Ballard campus in Seattle, Washington is 

NO!

Do you want your life to change,
but don't know where to start?  This video should help you...

Does God care about me?

Video Credit:

 http://www.youtube.com/user/DougandJonShow?v=qiKRtvq31n0

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday

Don't Let Your Past Keep You From Seeing Your Future - Sermon Sunday 

Associate Minister Phillip Allen, Gilt Edge Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Video Credit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_esNsG1zATU

Holy Riches Prayer

Editor's Note: Lounell Williams shared this prayer with me. This prayer is meant to bring blessings to those of us who have faith that God will grant us His favor.  I promised her that I would share it with the supporters of the New Life Today Blog.  For printing purposes, the prayer has been slightly modified.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Since I seek first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness, all these things are added to me.  There may be a shortage of food in the cupboard and money in the bank, but my God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory. El Shaddai is my source. I speak light into the darkness.

Lack of clothing I speak to you. Lack of finances I speak to you.  Lack of food I speak to you. Lack of transportation I speak to you. "If God be for me, you cannot be against me. Be removed from my life and be cast into the sea." Provisions, food, clothing and money, I speak to you. "Come into my life. Come into the life of my family. Righteousness finds its way to me. Healing finds its way to me.  Prosperity finds its way to me. Financial blessings come upon me and overtake me."

Jesus is pre-eminent in my life. Therefore, all grace is abounding toward me. So I can have a sufficient supply in every area of my life to give into every good work of God.  I am a giver.  I am a sower.  Therefore, I am a reaper.  Harvest day has arrived.  Jesus became poor on the cross so I could be rich.  Prosperity is part of the atonement and my spiritual right.

I resist lack and prosperity in Jesus' name. I will not live below my covenant right.  I AM PROSPEROUS.  Today will be a good day.  Every weapon of Satan planned for me will turn on him.  This day, I am more than a conqueror.  Today will be filled with blessings from God.  All spiritual and natural blessings for this day have been arranged for me before the foundation of the earth.  I can't lose.

All of these things I pray for in Jesus' Precious and Holy Name. Amen.

Testimony Tuesday - Overcoming Depression With Christ by Dinora Trujeque

A few days ago I watched a movie featuring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. My daughter and I had been watching this movie 15 minutes each day before she went to school. This had been going on for three days in a row and then the movie’s theme started to change. 

Immorality showed its ugly face in some parts of the movie and I decided that I would watch it by myself before, to make sure there weren’t any more wrong messages that could affect my daughter. So I sat on my couch and watched it until the very end, (which by the way was very moving).

I have to tell you, I hate immoral scenes and profanity in movies because I think they are not necessary to make a good movie, and because they have been put there to make us believe that a life of sinfulness is fun and rewarding, when in fact IT IS NOT. 

You wouldn’t believe me this, but I had to fast forward that movie more than 15 times! I ended up watching half of it, just the things worth watching. I wouldn’t recommend this method or this movie. It is always better to choose well from the beginning.

I learned something from that movie though. Even if life plays dirty tricks on us, God wants us to know that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” In the same way that the story had a happy ending, God has planned a happy ending for the lives of His children too. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”

Have you ever had that feeling that the problems in your life would never end? I’ve been going through some family problems for some time and I feel worn out already. It has affected my health to the point where I have to deal with depression, because I know that except through prayer, there is nothing I can do to help my family. I know what I just said sounds as if I see prayer as doing nothing, but that is not what I mean. If you have ever been in such a situation when there is no way you can even alleviate the pain of your love ones, you know how I feel. That doesn’t mean that I have lost my faith, in a way I am reclaiming it every day. 

I also realized that even if I’d like to fast-forward my life like I did with the movie, to avoid the bad parts, life doesn’t work that way. We’ll have to go through some problems of different sizes and shapes but the Lord has promised us that “in all things we will be more than conquerors through Christ.”

He comforts us with the hope that just like the Apostle Paul; we’ll get to that point of maturity in which we’ll be able to say, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I am learning to wait on the Lord more than ever, because only through trials and tribulations can my faith grow. I am holding fast to His word with all my strength because He is faithful, reliable, and powerful. 

He told us our lives would be like this; he wouldn’t lie to us, and he asked us to be of good cheer even when the pain is great, to be at peace because The Prince of Peace is with us, the One who has overcome the world is by our side. 

Inspirational Video Moment - "Purpose" - All is Vanity"

"Purpose" -  All is Vanity"

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opch9wMjocY&feature=related

Inspirational Video Moment: In Times of Trouble

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Video Credit: ARAND Video Services

Sermon Sunday - Dr. Marvin Sapp, Inspirational Sermon

Dr. Marvin Sapp, Survivor Sunday Sermon Highlight

Mt. Zion,  Bishop Joseph Walker III

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4b6Nm-jPM

Jesus Set Me Free by Amber Leggette-Aldrich Testimony Tuesday

I Am B.A.D. (Blessed And Delivered) 

Our church youth group returned from Youth Camp this past weekend. I had been reading some of their posts on Facebook about their experiences, and I could feel the excitement and joy in their hearts. It has always been a tremendous blessing to me to see our young people so full of fire and enthusiasm for Jesus! And their willingness to openly share what God is doing in their lives is something that I deeply admire. These young people are not just talking about God, but they are walking the walk as well.

At the Wednesday night service several of the youths gave testimonies about what they had experienced at the camp. As each one shared, I found myself crying inexplicably. It wasn’t out of sadness, but more from a deep sense of thankfulness. Before long I began to realize that I was remembering what my life had been like before Jesus set me free. There was so much bondage in my life, mostly from my own doing. I can’t even begin to explain the deepness of the gratitude I feel for what Jesus did for me. But when I think about it, and how I have been changed by His love, there is a joy that just explodes inside of me, and I want to share it with the whole world! 

Each new day is another opportunity to let that joy shine into the world. I don’t have to wait for something to stir me up. I only have to think about what the Lord saved me from, and how much He loves me. I can find His goodness in the promises of His Word, and I know where I am going when my race is finished here. My God is more than enough for me! He is bigger than any storm I face! And I am no longer a slave to sin!

I am not perfect, yet. But God is working in my heart, changing me day by day, moment by moment. And I will be made perfect when I enter His gates! Knowing that gives me an assurance and contentment, as well as excitement. I no longer live in condemnation, but in liberation. 

“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:” (Galatians 4:3 KJV) Things like anger, unforgiveness, doubt, fear, drugs, rebellion, hate, hypocrisy, enviousness and more, were all chains of bondage to me. No matter how many times I tried to change, no matter how hard I tried, I could not do it. Maybe for a day or two in one or two areas, but it never lasted. 

But then I began to learn about Jesus. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 KJV) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV) Through learning the truth about His pure and unconditional love for me, I began to trust in Him. I called out to Him for help, to set me free. The chains that had held me hostage for so long were broken. I repented and was baptized in Jesus’ name. My sins were forgiven and washed away. As I opened up my heart to Him, He filled me with His Holy Spirit and great love, and my life began to change.

My journey since then has not always been easy. Many trials and temptations have come my way. But the freedom I have in Jesus replaces the fear I once had with peace and comfort. He is always with me, and He gives me strength and courage to continue on. I remember what my life was like before He saved me, and I won’t go back. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1 KJV) I may fall down and scrape my knees, but He helps me to get back up and keep fighting. He gives me the heart to love others, and to forgive as He has forgiven me. I put my life in His hands, and there’s no better place to be! He has shown me the wonders of His love, and profound miracles too. I AM SO B.A.D. (Blessed And Delivered) Jesus has set me free!

God is My Coach - Inspirational Video Monday

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

Source: www.GodisMyCoach.com

Prayer for America - 9/11 Tribute

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for all of your grace and mercy.  We thank You for keeping America safe.  We thank You for allowing us to see another Patriot Day.   Thank You for allowing us to start sending the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan to be with their families.  And, Lord, we pray for those soldiers who are still over there fighting so that America can remain free.  

Lord, we pray for peace.  We pray for unity among humanity.  And on this Patriot Day, let us remember the 3,000 men, women and children who lost their lives that fateful day – September 11, 2001.  Let us pray that their families are comforted knowing that they are not alone in their grief.  Let us pray that those who died that fateful day did not die in vain.  

And, God, please continue to bless America.  Lord, give our politicians the wisdom to know that differences of opinion and philosophy are not an excuse for insulting and denigrating anyone.  Let our country understand that despite all of the trials and tribulations we have endured, You are still in our midst.  Lord, let all Americans know that You are still in the healing business.

You are still comforting our restless souls.  

Lord, bless those in this country who are unemployed.  Continue to cover them.  Continue to provide their needs, Lord.  Lord, we pray that You grant those with needs of healing or employment or whatever else Your people may need, with Your favor.  

All of these things we ask in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

Loius Giglio"s How Great is our God - Inspirational Video Moment

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.


Video Credit: Louis Giglio, "How Great is Our God", Youtube

(This week's video was recommended thanks to  Sister Charmaine Valentine of the Church of the Living Water in Round Rock, Texas.
If you have a video that you would like posted on NewLifeTodayBlog.com, please feel free to email the link to chelle@newlifetodayblog.com.)

One Minute Sermon - Sermon Sunday

Video Credit: One Minute Sermon, Youtube

ANGELS ALL AROUND ME by Joan Morrone - Testimony Tuesday

Do you like angel stories? Most people do. After I do some 

Source:  ifcj.org

heavy writing, I need to write something on the lighter side to lift my spirit and hopefully yours, too. I will tell you a few stories about “angels” in my life. I will not be talking about angels in shimmering white robes and wings. I’ve never seen any of those. My angels are those who have helped me along the way just as I was about to fall. They came just in time to pick me up and guide me. 

One meaning for angel in the Webster dictionary is “a guiding spirit or influence.” In Strong’s Concordance, one meaning is “to dispatch as a deputy.” Deputy is a person appointed to act as an assistant to another. One or more may have been angels dressed like real people. These last are the ones in Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 

Also when I look back I see people standing on the sidelines. These are those who were there for me when the chips were down. I did not appreciate them like I should at the time. I can see now that I was never alone. I didn't even know jesus at some of those times. 

Source: gbcdecatur.org

My favorite was a little old bag lady. She was dirty, unkempt and foul smelling. She came into the place I worked as a waitress. She was put at my table. I waited on her, smiling as I did. I try to treat everyone the same. She invited me to sit down and eat with her. I said I was sorry but we weren’t allowed. I brought her food and then got busy. 

Later I looked and she was gone. As I began to clean the table up, I saw a bill folded neatly under the cup. It was a $100 bill! The really amazing thing is that was exactly what I needed to pay my rent. (I was a Christian by then.) There is a lot more to the story but I’ll leave it at that. I know, without a doubt that if I would have been nasty with her, I would never have gotten the money. God knows how to handle a situation!

Another angel in people’s clothing was a little old lady at my bus stop. I rode the bus home and realized I didn’t have my package. I told my husband I was going back to get it. He said it would never be there. It was a bad area and people have gotten mugged there. The bus came by just as I got out the door. This was no mere coincidence. When I got to the stop, there was this sweet old lady, holding my bag as nice as you please. 

Walking toward her, she smiled and said she knew I’d be back. How did she know it was mine? She stood up to leave before I could thank her but I was able to ask her name. She looked astonished and hesitated before she said: “Pearl”. She took off like a scared rabbit and disappeared! All I could think of was “Pearl of great price”; Pearl was a name she made up in a second.

Angel # 3 appeared in New York. My second husband and I were on our honeymoon. Circumstances forced us to go to Long Island to visit his aunt. Coming back to Penn. Station had us stumped. Which train should we take and what side of the track? We were not seasoned travelers. As we puzzled over it, a pleasant looking man, dressed in a well worn but neat suit, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could help us. He got us to the right train and disappeared. We got off in the big city and were lost for the second time. Which door do we go out to get a taxi to take us to the airport? Out of 1000’s of people, the same man tapped me on the shoulder once more. “May I help you again?” I thank God often for His angels who come along when I need them!

Source:  foodnflix.blogspot.com

At the same restaurant where I saw the bag lady, I waited on a man at the counter where I worked. I was talking to a lady about an art course I was taking. The man began to talk to me. He was an artist. He came in the next day and gave me the basic paints and a couple good brushes. My co-worker said he had been coming in for about 15 years and he never spoke to any one. Why me? One day I got talking to him about the Bible. He said he didn’t understand it. I told him that I would write some scriptures and try to explain them to him. He told me to make them simple. 

One evening he was there when I wasn’t busy. I must have “preached” to him for about a half hour. He seemed to enjoy the stories. When he was leaving, he said: “Thanks for the Mini-Sermons.” That is when I began to write regularly and seriously. He was one of my guiding angels and strong influence. Then he slowly slipped out of my sight, only to appear when I would get discouraged. Haven’t seen him since!

This will be my last story. After my first husband divorced me to marry someone else, I was determined I was not going to let it get the best of me. I was going to go out and have a good time. I wasn’t saved yet. A girl I worked with asked me to go out with her after work. She wanted me to meet this “nice” guy. I wasn’t aware it could be dangerous. I agreed. On my way home at 11 P.M. to change clothes, I had this feeling I shouldn’t go. I called my friend and said I changed my mind. She put the guy on. He sweet talked me into saying I would go. He wanted to meet me. I was innocent of the ways of the world. I was pretty protected from it most of my life. 

I got changed and on my way to the meeting place. Half way there, it felt like some one grabbed my steering wheel and sent me back home! I asked the girl the next day how it went. She didn’t know because she didn’t go either. Then I got the shocker. The guy I was supposed to meet was arrested for assault and battery, carrying a concealed weapon, drug charges and his wife was suing him for divorce. 

God was looking out for me even then. He knew where I would be today. Who knows what would have happened to me if I did go. I could have been in jail as an accomplice, or raped and possibly murdered. My whole life could have been ruined completely. I didn’t deserve God’s care but I got it! God is awesome.

I have more “angel” stories but I’ll let it go at that. Hope this has encouraged you to believe God has angels all around us to look out for us when we can’t look out for ourselves. 

God bless you.

Inspirational Video Moment: Have a Prayer Answered

Mondays are Inspirational Video Moment days at 

New Life Today Blog.  

Visit us every Monday to view the 

new Video of the Week.

ARAND Video Services

Humble Yourself

This prayer was written by Joyce Adejumo of Mitchie's Gallery in Austin, TX.

Father in Heaven, I humbly come

before you - surrendering all I am.

Thank You for loving me as I am.

Thank You  for the many gifts and miracles You have given me throughout my life.

Thank You for sheltering me and protecting me from harm.

Thank You for carrying me when I did not

have the strength to carry myself. Thank You for

granting me wisdom and knowledge to complete the

tasks You for predestined for me.

Thank You that no one can take from me what You has claimed is mine.

Father, keep me close to You and watch over me as I

submit every aspect of life to You.

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

James 4:10

English Standard Version (ESV)

When the Soul Bleeds by Sharon Jaynes

When the Soul Bleeds
Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

[Jesus said] "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering" (Mark 5:31-34 NIV).

Friend to Friend

When we read the story of Jesus healing the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, it is hard for us twenty-first century women to imagine such a condition lasting for so long. Medical science has progressed far beyond the rudimentary knowledge of Jesus' day. It is simply unthinkable today.

Graphic Credit:
http://www.jeremiah-2911.com/2011/07/women-of-bible-woman-with-issue-of.html

But I suggest there are still many women with chronic bleeding of a different sort. We bleed from the heart.

From the time Sarah was six-years-old, her father crept into her bedroom in the dark of night and violated her little body. Now, as an adult, her heart bleeds.

When Beth was walking to her dorm room from the college library, a lurker jumped from behind the bushes, dragged her to a nearby shed and raped her at knife-point. Now, ten years later, her heart bleeds.

After twenty-years of marriage, Lucy accidentally stumbled upon an in-town hotel receipt in her husband's wallet. Suspecting the worse, she uncovered past e-mails, supposed meetings that never occurred and a trail of deceit. When presented with the evidence, her husband admitted to having a three-year long affair. And her heart bleeds.

Laura was laid off from her job and her mother's words re-emerge like sewage leakage from an underground septic tank. "You're no good. You'll never amount to anything. You're a loser just like your father." And because of the lies, her heart bleeds.

Melissa holds her newborn little girl in her arms and coos her to sleep. Interrupting the sweetness of the wee hours of the morning, she hears her aborted child crying from the grave. Guilt presses down as the ever-present weight deflates her joy. And her heart bleeds.

Women - hoping the pain will go away. Awakening each day with a memory that cuts a fresh wound. Women-longing to hear the words, "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

The woman with the issue of blood was no different from you and me. While her apparent illness was physical, her inward suffering ruled her life. She had lost her family, all her money, and her standing in the community. She was viewed as an unclean, untouchable outcast. But in one radical moment, one momentous decision, she reached out to Jesus and grabbed hold of her healing.

He wants to set you free from your suffering, but he will not push you out of the jail cell or yank the chains off your neck. He unlocks the door, but you must walk out the door. He unlocks the chain, but you must stop wearing them around your neck.

Graphic Credit:
http://cccooperagency.wordpress.com/
2012/03/16/what-are-you-looking-at/ 

We can choose to bleed. We can choose to remain in our suffering and pick at the scabs of the past. But hear me dear friend, it is a choice. Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10). That's what he wants for each of us. But we have to embrace the truth and, like the woman with the twelve-year-bleeding, reach for our healing.

In John, chapter five, Jesus 
encounters a lame man sitting by a pool of water where the paralyzed, blind, and afflicted gathered. Then Jesus walked up to him and asked a strange question, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6b).

Perhaps it wasn't such a strange question. Many times we get used to being emotionally sick, and we wear the sickness like a shroud. We become walking wounded, picking at emotional scabs – not allowing them to heal.

Jesus said to the woman, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." That is the same healing he offers to you and to me. What will you do?

Let's Pray

Dear God, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I reach forward today, touch the hem of Your garment, and receive my healing. Yes, I want to get well. Give me the faith to walk in freedom and victory.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Is there pain in your life that you have refused to let go of?

Do you want to get well?

That is a risky question. It took a lot for the man who had been lying by the pool to get up off that pallet. He had to learn how to walk, get a job, and learn to live like a healthy person. That's a big change after 38 years. But you can do it! You can let go of the past and begin to live in victory and freedom! Let's start today!

If you are ready to reach out to Jesus and grab a hold of your healing, log ontowww.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and say, "I'm grabbing hold."

Re-posted by permission from Sharon Jaynes' blog at www.sharonjaynes.com

Today's devotion was taken from my book, What God Really Thinks about Women: Finding Your Significance through the Women Jesus Encountered.We tend to read the gospels with our twenty-first century eyes. But when we understand how oppressive the culture Jesus stepped into was against women, we begin to understand just how radical Jesus' ministry, messages, and miracles were at setting women free. He risked His reputation to save theirs…and yours.

1 Peter 4:11-13 

(New International Version) 

¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.