Glory to God

I have to write a post solely for the purpose of giving glory to God for several things. There's a story in Mark....Mark 9, I believe, that tells of a father and his son. This father spoke the words "I believe, help my unbelief!" to Christ. Like...out loud. Can you imagine saying that to God's son? I don't know about you, but that is one of the most refreshing stories in the Bible that I've studied so far. We don't need to hide our unbelief--especially before the Father. If we ask him and "...draw near with confidence to the throne of grace..." (Heb. 4:16) he is faithful to hear and respond in his perfect timing. I've learned something that I once thought differently about. When I heard the word "captive" in a religious context three weeks ago, I would have said it was referring to someone who is not saved--a captive to sin and an earthly mind. However, I now know that a captive is someone who IS saved. "A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her." I am quoting Beth Moore. This totally changed my view. I could make a list a page long of things I am held captive by. But guess what? God can change that. He IS changing that. Boy...it's not easy and goodness gracious it's not painless but let me tell you--it is SO worth it. You want to talk about someone with doubts? Someone with fears? Someone that once thought "well I got myself into this mess I'm probably the one that has to get myself out"? Or someone who didn't think things could ever change. It was impossible. As Beth would say...beloved, nothing and I mean absolutely nothing is impossible with the God who created 500 billion galaxies. The God who created you and created me to bring Him alone glory and honor and praise. Beth also explained in her book the difference between how God handles physical health and spiritual health. Sometimes, God has it in his will to allow sickness and strife. He is God and who are we to question that? But the scriptures are clear that God always wills the spiritual captive to be free. What a relief. He wants to free me. He wants me to not only taste liberty but fully indulge in an "abundant and effective Spirit-filled life". This isn't just about me. This is about every woman and every man. We can all be held captive to things. Sometimes they aren't so obvious and take a little digging to find the root of our reactions, feelings, and impulses. But there's one thing that's for sure: captivity doesn't have to be life-long. There is help--the best help that this world has to offer and it's all in Jesus' name. The prophet Isaiah has some encouraging words for the captive. Please take a moment to read this passage and truly hear the words.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
My prayer for myself and for the sweet women reading this is that we would be "oaks of righteousness". I secretly or not so secretly have a tremendous passion for trees. Maybe that is why this strikes my heart so deeply. To be called an oak of righteousness makes me think of a tall, sturdy oak tree that sways in the breeze to accommodate the changing winds but does not break at its' trunk. Dead and useless branches may fall off but the live productive branches are fed with rainwater and sunshine to grow long and beautiful. The best part about that verse is that all of us oak trees would be "the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified". You see, His glory is what this life is all about. It truly is. I ask you to set aside your pride, your insecurities, your unbelief, and your fears, and just take a few moments to give our God glory. He is the only way that we can find deep and lasting satisfaction while our dwelling place remains to be this Earth. Embrace Him. Ask Him to swallow you up in His arms of love and enjoy His sweet presence. Lastly, thank Him for all that He was, is, and is to come for He alone is worthy.