Category: Freedom & Transformation

You Are Already New in Christ

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , ,
You Are Already New in Christ

For all those who identify with Jesus Christ, we sometimes need a gentle reminder that we are already made new in Christ. Everyday blunders, mistakes, and even outright failures sometimes cause us to forget the reality of what He has done for us.

Several years ago, we moved from the farm into a small town. Although we didn’t plan to, we purchased a fixer-upper — a home that needed a greater investment of time, energy, and finances than we had originally anticipated. Other than new windows and doors, the exterior remained unchanged. We cleaned up the landscape, planted new flower beds, removed dead or diseased trees, and restored a patchy lawn. The hardest work, however, went on behind closed doors. Here, we ripped out musty carpets and replaced flooring, redesigned the kitchen, updated the laundry and bathrooms, removed walls, and opened up spaces. Inside, where most people wouldn’t see, a radical transformation occurred.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].“
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP

The little old house, like us, was powerless to transform itself. It couldn’t repair its broken windows or replace leaky pipes. It waited for someone to see beyond the rough exterior at the potential within.

How much more! How much more does Jesus see something of incredible value in each of us. Then, He did for us what we could never do, making old things new. Yes, He declares over our lives, “New things have come!”

Already New

In every Bible version I checked, it is obvious that the new way of life has already come. We aren’t waiting for Him to do His work. It is finished in us already!

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

The inside job is finished! God did it all for us already. My mind may be experiencing a bit of spiritual whiplash from such a radical transformation. My attitudes and behaviors haven’t come into full agreement with that new reality, yet. But, in truth, I am no longer the person I used to be. Neither are you!

From the outside we might look the same, but if we could see ourselves from the inside out, we would be utterly amazed at the radical transformation God has done. In a moment, He removed our hearts of stone and replaced them with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). What was naturally hard, bitter, and selfish, God made new, giving us a heart like His — merciful and compassionate.

Home renovations take time and effort. In the same way, coming into alignment with being new in Christ requires cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit. He is for us. He does the heavy lifting, the hard work, in this renovation project. The interior work is finished! The outer work continues.

Now and More

Every small improvement to our home, made it more functional, comfortable, and practical. It became ready for sharing with family, friends, and many others. The more it became “ours”, the more it also became enjoyable to others.

Is not the same true with us? The more we welcome the work of the Holy Spirit changing us from old to new, the more we become all that God intended for us since before the beginning of time. And then, the more we become a welcoming place for others to enjoy true, authentic, and mutually enjoyable relationships.

God cares so much more for us than we can imagine.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4

So, if the Christian life feels more than a little overwhelming, don’t despair.

Just when we finished every renovation project on our list, God called us to move to a new location. When all the “renovations” from our old way of life are finally complete, we will be heading home to the heavenly glory that awaits. Until then, we set our hearts and minds on things above — all that awaits us. Then we will begin to understand the truth that we are already, even now, new in Christ.

Practical Reminders

Perhaps you, like me, need a few reminders of what God has already done for us.

  • “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).
  • “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
  • “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
  • “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14).
  • “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
  • “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

Oh, Beloved! May we rest in the complete and finished work that God has done within us, even as we cooperate with Him to continue the process of complete restoration, bringing us into perfection.

Prayer

Father, thank You that by Your grace I am already made new in Christ. Give me ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying without doubt or a need for perfection. Tenderize and awaken me to the things of the Spirit. I choose to turn my heart and mind toward You and away from the distractions and frustrations of the world around me. In You is hope and peace! In You is fullness of all joy!
By Your precious blood, I am new! I am Your chosen — Your child. I cannot earn it and could never deserve it. You already did what I could never do.
May that reality set my heart to singing and my feet to dancing.
Your grace is enough! I am new in Christ!

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When God Calls Your Name

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Christian Living, Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , ,
When God Calls Your Name

What does it mean when we say that God calls your name? More importantly, how do we know when He calls our name? Nothing is more personal than a name thoughtfully given.

I encountered God, not in a church service nor any of the other more typical ways Christians experience turning their lives over to God. He met me along the side of a road on a blustery cold day. I had reached the end of myself and felt I had nothing left to live for. There were no blinding lights or audible voices like when God called Saul’s name on the Damascus Road. Nonetheless, I was acutely aware of God’s presence and just as aware that my life would take a dramatic turn if I responded.

God loves us uniquely and completely. He knows each of our names. I pray that today you will hear Him calling, inviting you toward a path from worse to better.

“…He (Jesus) calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” 
John 10:3

In this Scripture, Jesus identifies Himself as a Shepherd. He refers to those who follow Him as sheep. Because the Shepherd lives with the sheep, they recognize His voice and follow only Him.

Jesus doesn’t say, “Hey! All you sheep. Come here!” Not at all! A relationship with Him is far more personal. He calls us each by name … “Joe, Susan, Paul, Sam, Bethany, Isabelle … you are mine. Come. I want to be with you. I have so much for you.”

The Value of a Name

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 22:1

Our name is synonymous with our reputation. It may take years to develop a good reputation, but only moments to destroy it. Today, a person can search online for literally anyone and within moments form an opinion about their character — good or bad. These quick searches certainly don’t present the full image and often lead us to believe a facade. We must take time, living and working together with someone, to truly get to know them. How do they respond under pressure? How do they react to correction? Do they maintain a consistent character everywhere with everyone?

Remember the biblical greats whom God called by name: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Peter, and Saul to name only a few.

But there were other not-so-greats (at least before God’s call) whom He also called by name. What about Zaccheus, the curious tax collector? Too short in stature to see Jesus, he had desperately run ahead and climbed a sycamore fig tree to get a view of the famous Prophet passing through town. Jesus stopped, looking up at the precariously perched Zacchaeus. He called his name, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Shock and dismay filled the crowd. Stay in the home of this despicable person? How could one of the most despised people in the community receive Jesus. The moment Jesus called his name changed everything (Luke 19:1-10).

Jesus called Matthew, another tax collector, to become His disciple. Simon, once a revolutionary Zealot, also laid down his arms and responded to the Savior’s call.

Throughout the Bible, we see God speak personally to mostly unqualified, largely flawed, and often incompetent individuals. By responding to God’s voice, they became unshakable and invincible, committed to something and Someone greater than themselves.

Meaning and Purpose

Every name carries both meaning and purpose.

My parents named me after both my grandmothers. Mary means bitter. Ann means grace. How do you blend those almost polar opposites. Through God’s sovereign intervention in my life what started out bitter, He turned to grace. My name carries significance of which only He knows the full measure.

The same goes for you. What is your name? What is its meaning? Do you recognize when God calls your name?

May I encourage you to begin listening for the voice of God? You may hear Him through the whisper of the wind, the sweet lyrical song of a bird, the ominous rumble of thunder, or the vastness of the night sky. You may hear Him best and find Him the closest amidst the crushing of painful seasons. Perhaps, He speaks the clearest during times of solitude or worship. Maybe you hear His voice while reading and meditating on Scripture.

One thing is for sure; God loves you. He constantly reaches toward you, inviting you into fellowship with Him as He did long ago with Zacchaeus. No matter what you are going through, He calls. No matter how far you feel you have drifted from Him, He speaks your name. His call brings redemption, restoration, and deliverance.

“…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

Respond

God, our Good Shepherd, never forces His sheep to follow Him. He faithfully leads the way, calling us to follow Him. The response He leaves to each of us whether or not we will hear and obey.

If you have never responded to Him, today is your day. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. He is only a breath away.

Dear Jesus,
thank You, Lord, for calling my name. In my bitterness and distress or when I think I have everything going right, You are here … present … waiting … loving … giving … drawing me close. I want to hear you better, to follow You, and listen to Your voice.
You said that Your sheep know You and that they listen (John 10:14-16). Lord, I want to know You more. I release every hindrance and reject every lie that would keep me from following You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
I receive Your grace, love and mercy. Set me upon a new path as one of Your own.
Thank You, Lord, for Your grace over my life. May I bring You glory. You, O Lord, have promised to give “… the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places …” May I begin to understand the spiritual truths of Your Kingdom — those things previously hidden from my understanding but available through Your presence. You desire that I may know You, the One who calls us by name (Isaiah 45:3).
Oh how incredible to think that the One who holds the universe in place, knows and calls.
Amen.

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Master of Transformation

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , ,
Master of Transformation

God is the Master of transformation! We see His workmanship, igniting destiny and bringing purpose to seemingly ordinary people like you and me.

As we consider God’s choices for forerunners in the church, we justly scratch our heads in wonder. At the same time, we take hope from these unlikely candidates! Most of them got off to a rather bumpy start!

  • Paul bored someone to death by his sermon! Fortunately, he was also able to resurrect the poor lad from the dead.
  • Peter, famous for often having at least one sandal stuck in his mouth, became the apostle to the Jews — scholars who would have examined his every word!
  • Mary, a former prostitute, led the first woman’s ministry to the tomb and became the first evangelist to declare Jesus’ resurrection.
  • The Sons of Thunder, who were known to fight for “top dog” position, settled into stride promoting others to places of honor and authority!

All of them were diamonds in the rough before God began His work in them. He had vision. He saw their true potential.

We find strength and encouragement from even these few human examples. Knowing God mightily used murderers, prostitutes, and shepherds, I know He can use anyone, including me, for His glory. If God deliberately chose the weak and fear filled, it is not unreasonable to believe that He can and will use us, too. Because God chose to use the unlikely, ill-equipped, social rejects, even family outcasts, we know His power far surpasses our weaknesses and failures.

God is the Master of transformation in the lives of those who submit their lives to Him. We strain to find any similarity between their before and after stories.

Hope

“Remember … that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
I Corinthians 1:26-28

Foolish? Weak? Yes! I qualify! Lowly? Despised? Check! Check! Things that are not? Yes, that’s me! On any given occasion, I fit His description of someone with possibility — offering nothing of value in myself, but becoming called, valuable, and gifted in and through Him.

How about you?

Such are our limitations and faults. So, we bow with wonder at His love, mercy, and grace! His ways are too wonderful to understand.

We all desire to be known fully and loved unconditionally. God alone does both … and so much more! Only God, the Master of tranformation, satisfies and fills the deepest craving for absolute acceptance and unconditional love.

Transformation

My question is why? When there is no good thing in and of ourselves, why would God choose to limit Himself to work in and through humanity?

“… to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
I Corinthians 1:28-30

Did you catch that? Our weakness and insufficiency amplifies His greatness and goodness.

The first step with any transformation requires taking apart what presently exists. With a home renovation that might include such things as removing walls, wiring and plumbing. True restoration goes right to the structural elements! Later, the cosmetic materials and outer layers are added and take form.

God does much the same in us. It is a lifelong process that one day will be perfectly perfect. Some day, we will be completely complete. But not here!

Does this not invoke genuine adoration and worship to our Heavenly Lord, the Master of transformation?

Chosen

God has chosen each one of us. Contemplate that for a moment! Every one of us, hand-picked, specifically selected, divinely appointed, highly favored, and elected for Him, through Him and by Him!

The Mighty God,
Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1),
Redeemer (Psalm 19:14), Savior (Acts 4:12), and Friend (John 15:15),
The Anchor of our souls and Hope eternal (Hebrews 11:1),
King above all other kings and Lord of lords ( 1 Timothy 6:15),
The One upon the throne (Psalm 103:19),
our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), Light and Salvation (Psalm 27:1),
who holds all things secure in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 41:10),
whose strength flashes like lightning (Job 37:3),
and whose voice resounds like thunder (Psalm 29:3-4),
too big for any box we might want to put Him in,
beyond understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9),
from everlasting to everlasting limitless,
self-existed (Isaiah 46:9), omnipresent, all-powerful,
knowing all things and seeing all things (Romans 11:33),
Love unconditional and undeniable (Jeremiah 31:3),
wild and holy,
dwelling in irreproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16),
nothing can stand against Him (2 Chronicles 20:6), no power can limit Him,
His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 2:22-23)
 faithful to all He has promised (Psalm 145:13) …

The One and only God has chosen, called, and ordained you and me unto Himself! WOW! Then, He commits Himself to seeing us rise to the fullness of our potential.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
I Thessalonians 5:23-24

His transformation process never ceases. Oh, how we praise Him for His faithfulness!

Metamorphosis

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A Renewing of the Mind

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , , , ,
A Renewing of the Mind

Advancements in scientific research verify that the renewing of the mind is not an etherial concept. It can be a reality for us all. What Scripture has declared to generations of believers has become a proven reality.

The new multimillion dollar 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner clearly reveals which parts of the brain are activated not just by movements but also by what a person thinks. Colors on the screen change as different parts of the brain engage in thought, movement, and memory. Negative thoughts dramatic restrict blood flow to the areas of the brain responsible for emotional processing, including anxiety and depression. Positive thoughts cause increased changes in blood flow to areas of the brain which produce rational thoughts and increase neurotransmitters like dopomine and serotonin. By changing the way a person chooses to think, they literally change the way their brain functions. Incredible! Right?

Of course, God knows how He created us. Just as He designed our bodies to heal from external wounds, He also designed a process for the renewing and healing of our minds. He created an amazing connection between body, mind, and soul to work in harmony, restoring those parts under the greatest duress.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” becomes a reasonable request only if such renewing were possible.

We Choose

This knowledge places the responsibility on us to care about the thoughts we allow to circulate through our minds. It is estimated that 80% of our daily thoughts are false and that 90% of today’s thoughts are the same as we thought yesterday. A renewing of the mind will obviously require intention on our part to guard what thoughts we allow to linger. If we choose to passively go through life, days turn into years and years into a life-time of negative and brain-destroying patterns.

Here is the bold truth — our thoughts will either harm or help our brains and bodies. Positive thoughts regenerate the brain increasing the grey matter. Negative thoughts degenerate our brains. Thus, the way to change our brains and bodies (and thus our lives) is by changing our minds thought patterns.

As Christians, we believe in the truth that God still heals, that people are capable of change, and almost anything can be overcome! The core of this transformation resides within our thoughts and minds.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.‘
Philippians 4:8

We all experience trauma through various types of devastating circumstances. Nevertheless, God gives us the ability to respond to even the most difficult losses in a way that renews our minds. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God has come to give us life (John 10:10). That life often occurs within the renewing of the mind.

What if we filtered every thought through the Philippians 4:8 model? How might our minds, and as a result our brains and bodies, be renewed? We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change our minds and reaction to those circumstances.

A God Promise

God seals truth with His promise.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3

The Message Bibles translates this verse to read, “People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole.” A healthy mind and brain certainly would be included in “completely whole.”

During the night-watches when anxiety wants to control our thoughts, we may claim this verse. As we do, we purposefully shift our gaze upon God in worship, praise, and thanksgiving. With the shift comes restored peace.

We find many other portions of Scripture regarding our minds.

  • Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
  • Romans 8:6 “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
  • Ephesians 4:22-23 “You were taught … to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds …”
  • 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16 “But we have the mind of Christ.”

God will fulfill all His promises, but we cannot neglect our responsibility for the renewing of the mind.

A Reward

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:10

The 7-Tesla MRI proves the extent of our capability for renewing the mind. However, God doesn’t need a 7-Tesla to know what we are thinking. He knows better than us the damage we do to our bodies and emotions by runaway thoughts. He also sees when we put into action the truth of His Word for the renewing of the mind. God promises to “reward each person according to their conduct.”

Surely, His first reward includes the renewing of the mind. How many more rewards await as our brains, emotions, and bodies begin to function according to His regenerative pattern? How much more satisfying will our lives become with the renewing of our minds.

Father, thank You for the intricate and beautiful way You have created us. May we honor You by honoring the complex integration of our minds, bodies, and souls. Lord, we commit ourselves today to the process of renewing our minds. We cast down every false belief and restricting pattern of the past as we choose to believe that You have something so much better for us.
How awesome are Yours ways, O God! How unsearchable!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Thanks be to God for Your gift of soundness of mind.
Amen.

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Does this topic interest you? Check out this book by W. Lee Warren, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery.

Freedom IN Christ

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , ,
Freedom IN Christ

True freedom is found in Christ alone. Nonetheless, savvy salespeople attempt to lure us into believing we can obtain freedom in other ways — through more expensive and newer possessions, higher status and positions, or becoming mini replicas of the “right” people.

Those kinds of lies ultimately led to guilt, shame, or worse. Anything this world offers shrivels in comparison to the magnificent freedom we may have in Christ, gained by His grace.

Our faith journey begins with Jesus — by grace through faith.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

And honestly, every moment of every day, we continue to live the same way — by grace through faith.

In Christ

Living with freedom in Christ may sound incredibly difficult, yet it is equally simple. Paul uses the illustration of baptism to explain the concept. Baptism symbolizes a dying to ourselves and our agenda, being buried in death with Christ, and then being raised to life in Him. Sometimes we get so busy moaning and groaning about the hard parts that we ignore (or aren’t sure how to apply) the wonderful new resurrection life piece.

I’ve drawn a simple illustration of myself and placed it into my Bible, which represents living in Christ. When I zip that Bible up, where the Bible goes the image of me also goes. If I send the Bible to the other side of the world, I go with it. If the Bible falls into the lake, I’m going along. Wherever it goes, I go. Whatever it does, I do. Through faith, I have become one with Him.

Through this baptism, being united with Him, that we find true freedom in Christ.

“ Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.”
Romans 6:5-8

That sounds like good news. What about you?

The Problem

Unfortunately, I (we) have a problem. I (and maybe you) have an eyeball trained to look at disgusting things, a hand conditioned to reach in destructive patterns, or a mouth that, at times, flaps out of control. Truthfully, we will remind ourselves, again and again, that we don’t have to do these things anymore. Why? Because “we were set free from the power of sin” — not just the penalty, but also the power of sin. Wow!!! We were … past tense … done deal!

Because of baptism, being united with Christ in both His death and resurrection, we no longer need to obey old desires or follow the stinking thinking of our past. Because of baptism, we enjoy freedom in Christ. We are now free to choose who and what we will serve.

But wait! There is another problem. Our old enemy, the devil, taunts. “Freedom? Bah! That doesn’t look free! You are stuck on a short leash to a long list of rules … do this … don’t do that … go there … rules, rules, and more rules! That Bible is nothing more than a zipped-up box of rules!”

He is dead wrong, but still he mocks. If we pay any attention to his rhetoric, we soon become discouraged and confused.

We have all heard his arrogant hackle? But God speaks a different Word — a Word of truth over us.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

All things? Yes! All things! That is why the enemy is so afraid of Christians who live free. Yet, though everything is available for us, not everything is beneficial.

” I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”— but not everything is constructive.”
1 Corinthians 10:23

May we choose wisely!

Freedom In Christ

In Christ, the Anointed One, we live and are led by His Spirit into greater realms of His freedom — true freedom. In Christ, we become the best version of who we can be and were intended to become. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we begin to live up to our full potential. Living free, Creator God ignites in us previously unknown dimensions of creativity and ingenuity. Without the shackles of sin, we rise in our Christ-given authority and discover an unmerited favor with both God and man. Without guilt and shame, we experience new and endless possibilities.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37

Remember the illustration of me inside the Bible. With God are key words here. In Him, nothing will be impossible for us. May we grasp the significance of this new found freedom in Christ. This isn’t a name it and claim it philosophy. Rather, we lay a hold of the sure promises of God and begin to walk in the freedom that He has made available to us. How? By grace through faith!

Each and every day, we step forward in faith. As much as we are willing to die with Him, we will also live a life full in Him — the divine paradox. Because of baptism, an immersion into His life, His purposes, and His good plans for us, we become the fullest and best dimension of ourselves — not only free, but fulfilled, satisfied, and complete.

Freedom in Christ is what our hearts long for. Freedom in Christ is what we all crave. In Him, through Him, by Him, and for Him we truly live according to His design.

Amen? Amen!

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Like a Bird Set Free, Free in Christ

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , , ,
Like a Bird Set Free, Free in Christ

Like a bird set free from an iron cage of guilt and shame, Jesus Christ came to set free those who would believe in Him. What does real freedom look and feel like? How can any of us fully comprehend the meaning of living free in Christ?

Yesterday, I “saw” in my spirit a small yellow bird fluttering over a cage. The cage had no entrance, but I sensed that the once-bound bird had only recently been set free. Though the little bird sang joyously outside the confines of the barred prison that once held her, she did not realize the freedom before her. I felt both a joy over the little bird’s release and sorrow that she continued to remain beside the cage.

In prayer, I asked God to reveal to me those areas where He has brought me freedom, only to have me hang around the same old neighborhood of guilt or shame, think the same old thoughts, or continue the same old habits. What good is freedom if I, or we, refuse to live free?

The little bird represents many of us — even nations of us!

Free from Egypt

If ever there could be a true representation of an iron cage, Egypt fits the description.

“Remember that the LORD rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you his very own people and his special possession, which is what you are today.”
Deuteronomy 4:20

Few of us can imagine the horror of human slavery. For 400 years, the people of Israel knew nothing else. Immediately after their release, they sang and danced with joy. But it didn’t take them long to begin to grumble and complain. They looked back on slavery with clouded vision and skewed perspective. Many times, they thought of executing their leader and returning to their old cage of slavery.

Absurd, but true! Like little yellow birds finally set free, they hung around clouded thoughts of Egypt, craving leaks and onions.

“We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.“
Numbers 11:5

They became deceived, believing the bitter past could somehow hold their brightest future. Instead of receiving the fullness of God’s promise, they chose to flutter their tiny wings around a delusion. So rigid was their thinking that they became permanently stuck. Unable to move forward or go back to their old lives, they perished in the desert.

Remember

Jesus calls His followers to remember another someone who looked back and failed to move toward personal freedom.

Sodom and Gomorrah represent the epitome of human and spiritual depravity. Yet, Lot, a righteous man, chose to move with his wife and family into that vicinity — at first along the outskirts, but eventually into Sodom itself.

“ (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)“
2 Peter 2:8

How many years he lived there we aren’t told. We do know that not a single person in the city was changed by his righteousness. We might rightly ask why anyone would make such a decision. The Bible tells us that financial gain motivated Lot to move to Sodom.

Soon, God brought a day of reckoning to the city. He sent angels to help Lot and his family escape.

“When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Genesis 19:16-17

Paralyzed

You probably know the sad ending to the story. Lot’s wife disobeyed and looked back. Actually, she looked back with longing. It wasn’t a quick glance, but rather a wanting to return. We will never know her motivation, but we do know the seriousness of the consequences of her decision.

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Genesis 19:26

Frozen in time, paralyzed by longing, petrified by fear, and unable to step into the future, Lot’s wife forever missed the freedom that God provided. Jesus warns us of a similar outcome.

“Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.”
Luke 17:32-33

By looking back and fluttering around our old prison cages, we attempt to hold on to something that was never ours to keep. Freedom and life come through Jesus Christ alone. The fullness of His promises are waiting for those who will courageously spread their wings and rise into the expanse of His mercy and grace. As we commit ourselves to Him and to His greater purpose for us, we find a life so incredibly wonderful.

Free in Christ

When Jesus sets us free, He also gives us the freedom to choose. Before He saved us, we had no option but to remain in the cages of our past. However, when we believe that He died to set us free and declare Him as Lord over our lives, we have an opportunity to experience freedom and fulfillment beyond our imaginations.

Oh friends! May we sense today the wonder and awe of the freedom He has given to us. May we heed His warning and set our faces — our thoughts and focus — on the amazing things He has ahead for us.

The little yellow bird’s cage had been small, limiting her every movement. But not anymore! Now, with God, she knows no limits.

Fly! Fly free, precious ones. Leave the empty cages behind. Today is your day. No looking back!

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Transformation — A Renovation of the Heart and Mind

MaryAnn Ward 0 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , , ,
Transformation — A Renovation of the Heart and Mind

What is true transformation? Is it possible? As Christians, we often speak these lengthy words without seriously considering their meaning.

When my husband and I left our beloved farm home, exchanging it for small town living, we firmly held our list of “must haves” and “don’t wants.” Some things on our list were extremely practical given our advancing age and experience in caring for elderly parents. No stairs to navigate, main floor laundry, small footprint, and garden space held top place among our wants. After building our farm home from the foundation up, we held no desire to enter into any major renovation projects.

God’s priority list, however, looked quite different from ours.

We ended up with a forty-year-old house with cracked windows, grungy carpets, and a less than a practical floor layout. It turned out to be the perfect home and location for us! Every year, we embarked on some kind of renovation project. After ten years, we had completely updated and renovated every square inch, inside and out. When it finally worked wonderfully for us and our lifestyle, we sold! Before and after pictures revealed the depth of the transformation.

Transformation means to undergo a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance — a metamorphosis of sorts. As Christians, transformation is that life-long process of Christ being formed in us.

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.“
2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Spiritual Process

Do you hear the allusion of process in the words “makes us more and more like him?”

Our farmhouse didn’t build itself. Neither did our town home undergo its own renovations year by year. It took a builder with a plan. It also took people, perhaps slightly crazy but completely willing, to cooperate to do the work. Sometimes designs slightly changed as we went along, but we firmly held to our vision and desired goal. With our farmhouse, we first demolished an abandoned multi-level century home to salvage material for the new build. With the town house, we ripped walls down to the framing, installed new plumbing and electrical components, and even moved walls when necessary. There were no short cuts. It took hours of intensive labor. The process also came with a cost.

Often, renovations of the heart bear a similar resemblance. We may tolerate inconveniences for a while, but, sooner or later, we know we must begin the deep and often difficult work of exposing core issues for transformation to become possible.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2

“Let God transform you,” the writer encourages us. “Submit to the wisdom of the Master Builder.” he challenges.

“If we let Him — for we can prevent Him, if we choose — He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a … dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful, but that is what we are in for. Nothing less.”
– C.S. Lewis

Transformation

C.S. Lewis touches on a few great points. We choose. We will either let God do what He longs to do within us, or we will deny Him access to the full content of our hearts and minds. By His grace, as we submit to Him, He works within us little by little.

In every renovation project, we found things that made us scratch out heads in disbelief — faulty or slipshod workmanship, garbage stuffed between studs to avoid taking it to the dump, substandard materials, piping or wiring that went no where … Oh, friends, what must our fleshly human heart look like to God? We may not fully realize the depth of the spiritual renovation that is necessary, but God sees every hidden thing within us. He loves us far too much to leave us in our dilapidated state of ruin and disrepair!

“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
Galatians 4:19

In some senses, we don’t throw away everything. We retain those attributes and attitudes that already reflect the character of God. But we must be ruthless at discarding those things that continue to hinder our present call and future spiritual development in Christ. The cost of transformation often comes through suffering. As C.S. Lewis said, “The process will be long and in parts very painful, but that is what we are in for. Nothing less.”

Oh! How we resist the process and pain to our own detriment!

God’s Love

God never delights in seeing His children suffer. However, when suffering knocks on the door of our lives, God won’t waste it if we allow Him to use it.

Often in the renovation process, we pulled out the heavy tools of force — nail pullers, pry bars of every length and description, and reciprocating saws. Long spikes bent and screeched as they were forced from their long-held positions. Walls vibrated against the cutting edge of the saw’s teeth.

My heart aches under the process of change in the same way. My mind struggles to grasp the new and release the old. But in the suffering, comes freedom and transformation.

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:1-5

Because God loves us, He uses the hard stuff of life — the problems and trials — to transform us, changing us into His likeness. If for no other reason, this alone gives us hope and reason to rejoice.

Prayer

Lord, may we have yielded hearts, submitted to Your will and ways. Transform us, Lord, from the inside out, conforming us to Your perfect plan. Leave no part unredeemed and unrestored. We welcome You to come and do in us what only You can do. We echo the words of the psalmist of old, “Create in (us) a clean heart, O God. Renew a joy and steadfast spirit within us. Do not banish us from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from us.” O Lord, restore us, renovate us, remake and remold us into Your image, restoring the joy of Your salvation to us. May we be willing to obey You in the midst of Your radical transformation process in our hearts and minds (Psalm 51:10-12). Grant us peace in the process and joy in the journey no matter how long or difficult that may be.

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God’s Promise — You Will Not Go Empty-Handed

MaryAnn Ward 1 Comment Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog, Victory , , , , , ,
God’s Promise — You Will Not Go Empty-Handed

My heart feels unusually heavy, sensing that many people in the body of Christ are under pressure, but God’s promise still holds true! Whatever your struggle, no matter how dark the season you are walking through, He is faithful. He will bring you out into a place of greater abundance, richer hope, and fuller freedom. How can I be so certain? Because God has not changed. He is faithful to all He has promised.

“…The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”
Psalm 145:13-14

Though the enemy may press us, God stands in our defense. He gives us the strength, wisdom, and courage we need for every situation. We will not only come through, but we will come through with our arms laden with rich treasures secured by God’s great grace and favor upon us. He has not, and will not, abandon us. This season of drought and discouragement may not end like we think it should or hoped it would. Let’s remember that, through it all, nothing can detour God’s perfect plan for our lives.

Empty-Handed

God led Israel into Egypt to save them from famine. Four hundred and thirty years later, He brought them out again. In a single day, God decimated their cruel and fierce captors. For many of those years, the Egyptians brutally used and abused God’s chosen people for their own personal gain. Empty-handed slaves! Powerless and oppressed! Until God came to their rescue. And, oh, what a rescue!

“He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered.“
Psalm 105:37

How would you feel if hundreds of years of backpay ended up in your mailbox overnight? Can you imagine? Everything the enemy stole, God said, “No way! It’s payday! Give it back!“

 “And I will grant this people favor and respect in the sight of the Egyptians; therefore, it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours].”
Exodus 3:21-22 AMP

May we not disqualify this as an ancient story of a people far away. This same God works on our behalf. He remains completely trustworthy to defend and provide for His own. His promises hold as true today as when He spoke them thousands of years ago.

Ask

It’s time to ask God to restore all the enemy has taken from us and our households — health, relationships, finances, hope, purpose, destiny … The thief has been plundering God’s people for far too long. The tide is turning. Let’s ask expecting God’s restoration, deliverance, and healing for us, our families, and our communities.

It is time to take a stand against the devil and his league. God told the women to go directly to their enemy, the ones who had misused and abused them, and ask big. “Insistently ask … for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing.” This is far from a selfish ask for bigger bank accounts or luxurious houses. We ask for our “sons and daughters” — for the generations yet to come. Our freedom and breakthrough becomes freedom and breakthrough for those who will some day walk in our steps.

The Hebrews word, wə·šā·’ă·lāh, means to demand. Forget the polite litte, “May I … pretty please …” No! We ask big! We insistently ask, demanding all God’s promise be returned to us.

The enemy is nothing more than a freeloader and liar. He must comply to God’s Word. Jesus emphasized again and again how He holds all power and all authority. All means all! While the devil may boast, God still holds it all!

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.“
Matthew 28:18

God’s Promise

For far too long the people of God accepted their lot as slaves, while the promises of God remained buried in the dust-laden archives of forgotten years. The same can happen to us today.

We have the tremendous privilege of holding and reading the Bible and all God’s precious promises. But it is meaningless until we begin move upon His Word and step into HIs promises for us. The easy chair of idleness will keep us from climbing the mountain of faith.

A great evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke, said,

“I don’t want to play with marbles, when God told me to move mountains!”

Taking hold of God’s promise may feel like a mountain leap of faith. What God said, He will do. May faith arise in each of us to throw off the limitations of slavery. May expectation of God’s goodness take form in our lives, until we ask big, and ask often, and no longer settle for empty-handed living.

“You will not,” He speaks to each one of us. “You will not go empty-handed.” Whatever this difficult time has taken from you, “You will not go empty-handed.” Determine by His grace to walk out this circumstance with hands overflowing with God’s promise.

God’s people played an important role of direct action in accordance with His will and His Word. Were they apprehensive to demand so much from their oppressors? Probably. Did some ask too small? Undoubtedly. Did some refuse to believe God would be so generous and good-hearted? Maybe.

But those who believed God’s promise received God’s blessing. They came out full! Let’s leave the enemy sorry he every touched us and our familes.

“Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given … was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”
Joshua 21:45

Oh, brave one, take courage!

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Revelation 21:5 — “Look, I Am Making Everything New!”

MaryAnn Ward 2 Comments Christian Living, Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , , , ,
Revelation 21:5 — “Look, I Am Making Everything New!”

As I felt these words resonate in my spirit, a sense of anticipation began to grow, “Look, I Am making everything new!” New is something we all might be needing right now. Many of us are all too glad to fold up the things of this past year and reach for whatever “new” God has prepared for us. At least initially! But often, letting go comes with unwelcome discomfort and unwanted pain.

“And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!”’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.'”
Revelation 21:5

In these last couple weeks, surgeons have removed cancerous, damaged, or malfunctioning portions from both my husband and my bodies. These procedures came not by choice, but out of necessity. Honestly, however, I feel they are symbolic of more significant things we both need to have removed from our lives. With confident hope, we rest in the Great I AM to do His infinitely beautiful work within us, despite the agony of the process.

Though many prophetic voices sense a “new word” for the year ahead, I’m instinctively drawn to cherish the “last word” God desires to speak over the season behind.

Self Denial

The first thing God speaks to my heart points to the removal of all the “self” things I insulate myself with: self-sufficiency, self-effort, self-righteousness, self-centeredness, self-protection, and self-confidence only being a few. Oh, how these ugly “selfs” disfigure and disable me from growing into my full potential in Christ.

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Luke 9:23-25

Everyone comes into the world self-centered and grows in their determination to maintain that stance. But God calls us to something more — something better. He invites us to deny ourselves — not to debase us, but rather to bring us into Christ-centered freedom and confidence.

In these verses, Jesus gives us a three-point action plan. First, and most important, is the denying of self, pivoting to become Christ sufficient. He welcomes us to be Christ-driven in our efforts, righteous in and through Him, sheltered under His protection, and possessing an audacious boldness. Now that’s living full and free! The second instructs us to “take up (our) cross daily.” Not for random moments when we feel especially inspired, but daily embracing elements of suffering. Then, and only then, He invites us to “follow Him.”

How quickly we recite our commitment to follow Jesus, while refusing to deny ourselves or carry any cross. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way!

This doesn’t just sound hard, it feels harsh — agonizingly harsh. Every cell in our mortal bodies cries in defiant resistance, hoping for an easier way.

Cast Off

Before we close this chapter, God calls us to cast off the disfigured remnants of yesterday. He welcomes us into the new season ahead without the heavy limitations of things that no longer serve His, or our, purpose. These things don’t necessitate the hands of a Master Surgeon to radically remove them, but, if necessary, He lovingly will.

Let’s consider a few:

  • “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]” (John 15:2).
  • “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
  • “Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully] (1 Peter 5:7).

Let’s be honest with each other. We all long to “cast off” any unfruitful, unproductive, and unnecessary baggage that “entangles” us, keeping us from reaching our full potential. It is the process that causes us to recoil and shy away. Removal involves change. Discomfort and pain often accompanysuch change.

For both my husband and I our surgeries became critical necessities for our lives to resume. Don’t our spiritual lives matter far more? God sees the defective things long hidden to us. He loves us far too much to leave us crippled and dysfunctional. Longing for us to be set free, He announces once again, “Look, I am making everything new!”

With open arms, He reaches toward us, “Cast it all upon Me!”

Into the Promise

The people of Israel couldn’t enter God’s promise until they first left the confines of Egypt. The same holds true for us.

“…We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt and God powerfully intervened and got us out of that country. We stood there and watched as God delivered miracle-signs, great wonders, and evil-visitations on Egypt, on Pharaoh and his household. He pulled us out of there so he could bring us here and give us the land he so solemnly promised to our ancestors.“ Deuteronomy 6:23

Do you relate? Do you feel like God is literally pulling you out? Oh, my dear friends, do not despair. He isn’t finished! He is bringing us in!

The same miracle-working God works within us. Through Him the Pharaoh of sin and shame must loosen its grip and let us go to worship at the feet on our Lord and Savior. Through Him, He brings freedom and promise.

God has for each of us more than we can imagine today. He sees beyond the present pain-filled process to the purpose-driven promise He holds for each of us. May we believe and see, if but for a moment! May we hope in HIs promise to us. “Look, I am making everything new!“

“All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.”
Psalm 30:4-5 MSG

Shared Joy

It is with tears I write, feeling not just the shared joy of what is ahead but the shared agony with those who are destined for eternity but walk earth’s pathway. We weren’t made for this — for the here and now. We were created for eternity. Everything in us cries for release — to escape the suffering of earth’s confines and be liberated from flesh’s demands. But in these moments, God works His perfect work in and through us.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-11

As we wait together with patience for His coming, He whispers to our tender hearts again, “Look, I am making everything new!“

Hold on, precious one. This isn’t the end of the story — yours or mine. This is only the beginning — a new and glorious chapter.

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Pick Up the Sword — A Mighty Weapon

MaryAnn Ward 1 Comment Faith & Prayer, Freedom & Transformation, Inspirational Blog , , , , , ,
Pick Up the Sword — A Mighty Weapon

The Word of God is a mighty weapon, a powerful sword of the Spirit. Our prayer takes on new intensity as we actively engage God’s Word. Below, you will find an excerpt from my book, Unlocking Legacy: Taking Your God-Given Territory Through Prayer. The chapter on using the Bible as a mighty weapon begins with this personal testimony.

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A Mighty Weapon

As soon as the door closed behind him, I ran to the bedroom collapsing on my knees beside the bed. “Lord, change him! Please! God, I don’t know what to do; I’m done; I’ve got nothing left to give.”

My prayer was an all too familiar plea oozing out from not just a broken marriage but a broken life. Tension filled every moment we spent together. Psychological abuse scarred my mind and bruised my soul, leaving indelible marks too deep for human eyes. It was a cycle that began days into our marriage and continued unabated—a cycle of mutual destruction that we both tried and failed to change.

As I wept, I heard the Lord speak sharply—not in my ears, but into my heart in a way that stunned me, “Leave him to me. It’s you who needs to change.” God’s words were not condemning but, nonetheless, assertive and unwavering. Even though the abuse was identifiable and the games of emotional volleyball real, I knew, beyond a doubt, God was right. He saw what I was obviously blind to.

Rather than prayer, my petitions flowed from a cesspool of self-loathing. God had heard enough of my bitter grumbling filled with self-pity. God was bringing change, but not how I wanted nor with whom I had hoped. At that moment, God presented me with two options: living pitifully or powerfully. The choice was mine.

Refocus

Intense brokenness thrust me into God’s loving arms and brokenness kept me there. A new level of surrender was necessary for Him to do in me what must be done. I needed radical spiritual surgery removing every self-defacing system I had previously relied on self-protection and self-righteousness, selfish desires and selfish ambitions, self-reliance and self-conceit, self-service and self-gratification.

Each me-centered motivation was a cancerous tumor of sin, destroying everyone around me. Such invasive intervention from God would go beyond a single moment, day or week, but rather a necessary continuum throughout my life. Every rotten attitude and fermenting mindset had to go. I had to fully acknowledge that I was filled with dis-ease, contaminating my relationships with an infectious malady.

My tone changed to deep and submissive resolve, “Whatever it takes, Lord, change me.” God’s Word had become a mighty weapon for change!

Shortly afterward, I was watching a Christian television program called 100 Huntley Street. One of the guests talked about declaring the word of God over personal circumstances and relationships. My spirit grabbed hold of the concept, knowing it was a strategic prayer tool that I desperately needed.

A Sword

Almost immediately I began to pick up the Word of God in a new way, learning to use it as a mighty weapon in my daily struggles. God gave me many passages to declare and decree in prayer over myself and the things I was facing. Through Psalm 84, I began to proclaim God’s promise to take me through all difficulties. I prayed with a new confidence knowing that God was with me and that I was secure in Him.

“My soul yearns, even faints for you Lord. The place I want most to be is near You, near Your altar of sacrifice. You are my King and my God, and I will continually praise You. I am blessed! My strength is in You. I have set my whole heart on pursuing Your face and Your Kingdom. I know that there are difficult places that You are taking me through. Yes, Lord! You are leading me through! You are not abandoning me in this valley, but You are leading me through! Even when I pass through the places of weeping, I am digging wells that will sustain and strengthen others who also walk this path. I ask for deep pools of refreshing for everyone else who will journey this valley. I am not weak, fragile or broken. You are taking me from strength to strength . . . my whole trust is in You, Lord. My past does not dictate my future. Today is a new day.”

I also began to declare Psalm 1:1-3 and other Bible verses over my husband. By inserting his name, I personalized these Scriptures in prayer declaration, annihilating my negative mindsets and the devil’s lies with God’s mighty sword.

“My husband is blessed! Lord, he does not walk in step with the wicked. Nor does he stand in the way that sinners take. He doesn’t waste his time sitting in the company of mockers. My husband delights in the law of the Lord. Oh God, he takes great delight in Your word, meditating on it day and night. While he is working or resting bring Your Word into his thoughts and settle it deep in his heart. My husband is like a tree planted by streams of water. Oh Lord, cause his spiritual roots to go down deep, drawing strength from You. You are his Source of all good things. My husband’s life will yield fruit in every season, continually being productive. Lord, You know the season he is in now and the one You are drawing him into in the future. You have determined that my husband’s life will not wither. Your portion for him is not barrenness, brokenness or waste, but whatever he does will prosper. God, You are watching over him and making all his ways straight as You lead him into righteousness. He will be an example to many men, young and old, showing the difference You make in our lives.”

Power to Change

Rather than dramatic or instantaneous changes in either my own or my husband’s behavior, God worked out a consistent and continuous process of transformation in us both. What’s more, the sword of the Spirit exposed my perverse attitudes and behaviors, allowing God to increasingly deal with my internal garbage. Many of the problems in our marriage were directly connected to the invasive, ungodly roots in me. (Shocking but true!)

Other Bible verses became declarations over our marriage and family:

  • repenting through Psalm 51
  • seeking protection through Psalm 91
  • gaining comfort through Psalm 23
  • praise and worship through Psalm 149
  • proclaiming victory through Psalm 30, and
  • declaring wisdom, understanding and insight through Psalm 119:97-104.

The word of God became a mighty prayer weapon of warfare. With time and practice, I became increasingly skilled in its use. God knew that the greatest motivation for me to learn how to utilize this new key of unlocking legacy was through applying it in prayer for those I loved the most. The more I allowed God’s word to penetrate and change me, the more I saw changes in others.

Process

We often want instant and miraculous; God works through the process. The sword-wielding process, once learned, can be applied strategically to every area of life. Years later, I look at my husband with awe, wondering, “Who are you? Where did you come from? How did such dramatic transformation occur?” Out of the ashes of the old, God has recreated a new and amazing man worthy of honor and respect. The husband, father and man he once was is only a faint memory. By God’s marvelous grace, he truly has become a Psalms 1 man of righteousness, loving God deeply, while prospering at everything he does.

The changes in my own life, although no less drastic, continue — some slowly, others quickly. Perhaps the greatest change is in the way I pray. God taught me how to use the Bible, His powerful key to unlocking the legacy of transformational change. By speaking God’s Word back to Him, activating His authority over circumstances, the Bible becomes a mighty weapon on our tongues and in our hands.

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Unlocking Legacy: Taking Your God-Given Territory Through Prayer — Amazon.ca
Unlocking Legacy: Taking Your God-Given Territory Through Prayer — Amazon.com

MaryAnn Ward, a self-published author from Saskatchewan, explores personal testimonies and miracles related to prayer in her book "Unlocking Legacy" adorned with an cover featuring an antigue key representing authority.