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Blessed is the man
who meditates
in the law of the Lord (Christ)
day and night.
He shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water
that brings forth its fruit
in its season.
PSALMS 1:1-3
On this July 4th of 2011, I hope the following two testimonies related to true freedom are encouraging to you.
JUST GET OVER IT
For several years, God has been healing a man from a deep hurt. This man continually cries out to God. Through this healing, he is experiencing a special relationship with Christ who indwells him. Christ is truly the Great Physician!
Because this healing has been going on for years and he keeps crying out to God, the enemy tempts this man through his thoughts with the message of "just get over it." I, too, have been tempted to counsel him to "just get over it."
The enemy knows he's been defeated. And he knows God's glory shines through each of us as we trust Christ as our Life. So the enemy seeks to steal God's glory by tempting us to "just get over it" so that we will live apart from depending upon Christ.
This man recently made a declaration of dependence that he will never get over what Christ has done for him, and who Christ is to him! He wants to be as the innocent young boy in the photo, always free from the world's trappings to stay in awe of Christ!
We all, with unveiled face,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image
from glory to glory,
just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
OH, DON'T WORRY, YOU'LL GET OVER IT
One of my seminary professors told a story about a new pastor peering out his office window with tears in his eyes. A long-time member of the church happened into the office to witness this scene, and asked the pastor what was the matter.
The pastor briefly described his burden for all the people within the shadow of the church's steeple who did not know Christ. Seeking to comfort the new pastor in his apparent hurting emotions, the church member said, "Oh, don't worry pastor, you'll get over it." While continuing to peer out the window, the pastor replied with a profound sigh, "Yes, that's what I'm afraid of."
When Jesus saw the multitudes,
He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and scattered,
like sheep having no shepherd.
(Matthew 9:36)
CLOSING
Getting over the miracle of Christ in us lures us away from relationship to religion. We can become complacent, and even proud of being compliant with biblical principles.
May this Rest Stop help re-focus our true hearts on the miracle and majesty of Christ in and through us...so that we are always free to be contagious! Oh may we never ever ever get over it!
God bless you, and God bless America!
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