captivesofhope

Finding renewal and hope

Category Archives: Restoration


by Leave a comment

Testimony

The scripture on my heart today is, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psalm 107:2). This  scripture is referring to giving your testimony about how God has brought you out of darkness and into the light. How He has made You whole when you were broken. How He has fixed your marriage, healed your sicknesses, provided for you when you had no answers. I have probably worn my testimony out, but I am still so grateful for what God has done. I do not know where I would be without Him. I want somebody to know how good God is. I was so very lost when He saved me. The enemy had set up camp in my life and had no intention of leaving. But Jesus purchased the rights to my soul over 2000 years ago. I traded my sorrow and sickness for God’s healing and joy. God is amazing because you can have as much of Him as you want while giving away as much as you want. Neither portion is diminished. In actuality, the more of Him you have, the more you are compelled to give Him away.

People overcome, the Bible says, by giving their testimonies. I think this is because telling someone else what God has done establishes it in your heart. It also strengthens the listener’s faith. When we remember what God has done, it helps us believe that He will help us with new tests that arise. For instance, I need a financial miracle. I need to remember the time I was in a financial situation and God blessed me. You see, I made a poor decision and it had expensive results. I owed over $4,000. I did not know what do other than to pray. I did and the Lord showed me the scripture about Daniel in the lion’s den. God told me that He was not going to let the lions devour me. The difference between me and Daniel was that Daniel was innocent. I kind of caused my own problem. Nevertheless, God came through. I called agency that I owed to see if some type of arrangement could be made. The lady searched and searched the computer, but there was no record of the debt. God had simply erased $4,000 worth of debt. Now, I did not doubt God, but I figured that if God had really done this, I could call a second time and get the same answer. I did and this person could not find the debt either. God really came through and even though I kind of caused the situation by my poor decision. God could have let me reap the consequences, but He chose to cover it in mercy. I am so glad that God loves me better than I love myself. What has God done for you? Write me and let me know. I would love to read it. I will praise Him with you.


by 1 Comment

Trash Bag

I dug in the trash last night. I took out 3 jars that previously contained Prego Spaghetti Sauce. I rinsed the jars and proceeded downstairs with them, clutching them to me as if they were priceless treasures. When my husband saw me, he asked what I was doing. I explained that these jars were recyclable and hurried to place them in the bin. I knew the usefulness of the jars though others may not have. I knew that they could be used again by someone who knows what to do.

I got to thinking about those jars and wondered; is it that I have thrown little treasures in the trash because they now lack usefulness? Once an item no longer works or is “used up”, we rush to dispose of it. I believe that I have a large trash bag thrown over my shoulder with the intention of taking it to the local dump. What’s inside? Things that used to work, but are now broken and beyond repair. The thing is; Jesus sees my trash bag. He especially sees that fragile thing that I secretly shoved onto the very bottom. I’m caught. But, what if I give that bag to Jesus? What if it’s really not trash at all? Can he fix what no one else can? Of course He can. So give Jesus your trash bag. He’ll know what to do. Recycling is His specialty.


by Leave a comment

Bus Ride

I still remember the day when the reality of God’s love finally sank into me. I changed that day. I was on a bus on the way home. The ride was extra long because I missed the other bus. During that long ride, God spoke to me about His love. I just suddenly understood. It was as if liquid healing flooded my heart. I felt myself accept the fullness of His compassion for me. I realized that no matter what, God would always love me. I could not do anything to make Him stop. That day, I let His love drown out every fear and every doubt. I let Him hold me completely. God’s love can heal what nothing else can. God is so personal with me. He knows me yesterday. He knows me today. He knows what I’m thinking and why I’m thinking it. There was a lot of pain and abuse that led me to be the way I was when God found me, but would you believe that I now thank God for that pain? I thank Him for those struggles because now I know Him. Not only that, I have a testimony. I constantly think about who I used to be and who I am today. I still need a lot of work, but I’ve come further than I thought I could. It took God about 7 years to get me to the point where I could say that I was sane and emotionally healthy. During that journey to wholeness, I really came to know God. I learned that He can be trusted. He loves unconditionally. Thank God, He’s not through though. I believe the best is yet to come. I have a destiny in Him that He decided before the world was.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me the way You do. There is nothing better than You. You are the reason that I live. I can’t live one moment without You and I don’t want to try.

Amen


by 1 Comment

Winter Spring

Today, it is 70 degrees outside. It is like a spring day in February. The  warmth is pushing its way into every crevice of my soul. I feel as if every time I inhale, I am breathing in bursts of joy. I feel Jesus. He created Spring to remind us of the hope that rests in Him. Wintertime is cruel and harsh. It sends birds away and puts animals to sleep. It makes us put on layers to protect ourselves from its ravishing cold. The seasons represent life. There are times when an ice storm attacks our hearts. It freezes our insides and makes us put on layers called walls. We protect ourselves from the cold or the hurt. But Jesus is warmth. When we let Him, the heat of His love reaches down and melts the cold and the hardness. He turns our ice into oil as it flows into a pool of worship and anointing. The bitterness that held us captive becomes a sea of love that touches those who are sleeping. It makes the birds fly to us again. Flowers bloom and grass grows tall. Others are reborn like morning glories.

Dear Jesus,

Melt the ice in my soul. Let it turn into praise and adoration. Warm me with Your love. Repair the bridges that I have dismantled with my own hands due to fear. Repair the separation caused by misunderstandings. Let my life be a testimony of Your ability to give life again and again. You save us from sin and you save us from ourselves. Work Your perfect will in me.

Amen