Breakthrough the Barriers

I just spent the most amazing time with twenty-four women of like mind. We gathered from all over the country to pursue our call and giftedness to write and speak. These women of courage have looked past their fear, insecurity and hardships to say yes to God—yes, to serve Him in whatever way He leads.

We spent five days learning the speaking craft and presented five minutes speeches to one another for critique. I know most of you are saying, “I would rather have a root canal than get up in front of a group!” So, now you know how awesome it was to see these women overcome these barriers to do something most people would never dream of attempting.

Overcoming barriers isn’t just for speakers. Each of us has something that keeps us from living life to the fullest and obeying the Lord with abandon. And, when we listen to the lies it gives the enemy a reason to happy dance on our heart. If you know Jesus Christ, He has gifted you to make a difference for His kingdom. But, the enemy wants to diminish your effectiveness by discouraging and distracting you. Don’t let him have that victory!

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we might walk in them.”

Our experiences, abilities and our surroundings have all worked together to make up who we are and how He can use us for His glory. These ingredients can either be a catalyst for great work or a recipe for discouragement from life’s pain. Choosing how we will respond will affect the outcome—victory or defeat? Victory is ours because of Jesus. Abundant life is ours only when we put the enemy in a strangle hold when he tries to whisper his poison.

So, what barriers keep you from fully trusting Christ for your life and your work? Choosing to stand firm, drawing from the strength that God supplies will give you what you need to walk in victory.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”  Ephesians 6:10-11

I am ready for a breakthrough. How about you?

Putting on His armor,

Jeanne

My Baggage Has Preceded Me

Ode to Travel

Oh, the disappointment! I’ve heard tales of airport nightmares…they are true! I would have been landing in Fort Myers, FL in about thirty minutes, but upon check-in at the Southwest counter this morning they told me my flight departure would be delayed an hour and I would not make my connecting flight. After about 40 minutes standing at the kiosk, they told me I was on standby for another flight to Florida but I would need to wait to see if there was a no show because that flight was fully booked.

You know how that worked out as I am now at home awaiting a flight first thing tomorrow morning. I thought I would get an evening flight but there were none. So, they sent me home with boarding passes for a 6:15 am flight out of Hartford, CT. That translates to a 2:30am wake up time in order to get there on time to both get a parking space in the lots (they were all full this morning too) and to get through security.

The funny thing about this: my luggage is already there! My toothbrush, make-up bag, and ten days worth of carefully chosen outfits to meet the change in climate for both Florida and South Carolina are awaiting my arrival.

My baggage has preceded me!

I don’t know about you, but I get all kinds of story ideas from that one. So, I have a feeling this is going to be quite an adventure. I will chronicle when I can and look forward to your thoughts about trying to remember that everything happens for a reason…

Going to bed early tonight,

Jeanne

Delivered...

What do you think of when you hear the word DELIVERED? Pizza? Mail? FEDEX? Flowers? A new baby?

The one that caught my attention was found in my reading lately: God Delivers! God is in the delivery business—He has the power to set free, I just need to realize it.

We are all enslaved to something…fear, perfectionism, food, work, alcohol, drugs, pornography, television, gambling, worry—but not matter what, Jesus delivers. He can release its hold on us.

He delivers us from:

Fear – Psalm 34:4

Enemies- Psalm 31:15

Affliction – Psalm 34:19

Trouble – Psalm 41:1

Death – Psalm 33:19

Transgressions – Psalm 39:8

Mire – Psalm 69:14

Jesus came to set the captive free. He tells the disciples to pray this way…Our Father who art in Heaven…deliver us from evil. DELIVER US. Freed from what holds us captive. This is one of the purposes of His coming in human flesh.

When I realized God’s ability to deliver, I began to understand more of what it meant when He didn’t deliver Jesus from His persecutors. He had the power to free Jesus from the mob, Pilate, Caiphas and even from the nails that held Him to the cross. But He didn’t. Instead of being delivered from His fate, He delivered us from ours.

I saw a sign outside a local church that said:

 “Jesus’ nails didn’t hold him on the cross; love did.”

Powerful!

How has He delivered you?

... Do you need deliverance?

Psalm 91,

Jeanne