Breaking The Chains: 31 Devotions in 31 Days eBook!

I finally can share with you a project that the Lord has been leading me on for months. My first devotional eBook!

Do you remember back in September when I started a devotional blog series called Breaking The Chains: 31 Devotions in 31 Days in this post? Then I went 8 days before pulling the plug? I have to confess, it pained me to do it. I wanted to keep writing the devotional on the blog and sharing what I was learning but God stopped me. I wasn't learning enough. Yes, He was showing me amazing things in His Word but I needed to step away from sharing everything before it could change my heart. Does that make sense?

Months later, I'm now able to release what the Lord has taught me about emotional bondage and how we can break free from the chains. I know you will love this book:

"Have you ever felt guilt, shame, fear, anger or low self-worth? Do you feel that way right now? Emotions were created for a purpose but we often don't know what that purpose is. In this devotional, we tackle unhealthy emotional strongholds head on.

For the next 31 days, we'll take a look at what the Bible says along such topics of expectations, justification, accountability and letting go. Each daily devotional is an easy one-page read, packed full of insight to help you break the chains of emotional bondage. Be renewed and refreshed as God works in the deepest parts of your heart to reveal the beautiful person He has called you to be."

I urge every woman, no matter what age or social status, to snag a copy of this devotional when it launches May 27th (the Tuesdays after Memorial Day.) It's not a casual, feel-good devotional. This is for people serious about getting serious with God and looking at bondage fearlessly.

You can buy a copy in the shop for only $6.99 between the launch date of May 27th through June 2nd! The timing is perfect if you want to start the devotions at the beginning of next month. After June 2nd, the book will be available at it's regular price of $9.99. You can also purchase it through the Kindle store, however, the discounted price only applies to book orders through the Hello Awesome shop.

My hearts desire is to spread the message of emotional purity to everyone who hears! God has called us to be pure inside and out. Not just physically but emotionally. Please help me pray for His name to be glorified through this devotion and hearts changed! Let us remember the beautiful words of Paul:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Where have I been...and where I am going...

 

I feel like a broken record. Here I am, once again, announcing another change. If you've been following my blog and my online adventures, your head is probably spinning and your eyes rolling. I get that. I also get that when people are trying to start a business, they have to go through lots of changes. Many times continually reinventing their brand and streamlining what they do.

I started off this month with devotionals and the plan was to keep posting one every day until October 31st. The truth is, I couldn't say anything at the time, but I was planning my mother's surprise 50th birthday party. This was also on top of weaning my son off of a pacifier. I had soon realized that life was way too short to spend it on things that your heart wasn't in. Before I knew it, three days had gone by without a single new devotion posted...

And I felt guilty. I didn't want to let you guys down and honestly I wasn't even sure if anyone was following the devotions. Life happened and of course that took precedence over blogging.

My heart is always in the Word, don't mistake what I'm saying. But posting a devotional a day made my sweet, intimate meeting with the Lord every morning seem more like a chore. And I don't like that. I don't want that. I don't want to have this blog because I feel other people want me to have it.

I honestly think that God really wants me to share the devotionals with people who seriously want to read them. More one on one. So while I still feel like the Lord wants me to continue writing 31 devotionals in 31 days, I believe He wants me to do them on my own first. Offline. Unplugged. And if anyone truly wants to do them with me, shoot me and email and I can email them straight to you!

Time is precious and I've spent close to 3 years blogging...and it has brought a lot of good and bad. I know I've tried to walk away many times and continue getting sucked back in. But right now, the season is over and moving on...

Why? Well, I'm rebranding my online shop and everything is clicking. I feel different this time around. I believe blogging was a platform for me to learn community, networking and sharing with other people. It helped me see the potential I have as a leader and business owner (while also showing me many, many weaknesses!). And I'm ready to step up to the plate.

This. This is where my heart is at the moment (online wise.) My husband and I have been praying for a house. He works so hard just so I can stay home with our son. If I'm going to do something, I want to do with to glorify God, utilize my talents and help my family financially. We are not really struggling but the load could be lighter. And I want to help make that lighter. I want to help us reach our dream.

My passion is illustration, home decor and writing. Hello Awesome will officially launch November 1st and will include all of those things! Hand-illustrated wall art, decorative porcelain (plates, mugs, vases etc), prints and so much more. Inspirational artwork and gifts, just in time for the holidays.

I can feel it in my bones. This is it. All the roads I've been on have lead to this! I can feel it. So I need all of my strength, my creativity and my focus on this shop in order for it to be the great business I know it can be.

And I'm sorry. I apologize to any sponsor or any reader who feels neglected. The truth is, I am not good at blogging and it is not so much fun anymore. Blogging has turned into a business. It's no longer the heartfelt journaling it used to be. I've started a Tumbler blog for Hello Awesome right here. We will see how it works and if I even want it. Like I said, my focus right now is on my shop. I will promote it via social media and on blogs. But as far as me, sitting down here, writing...that season is over I think. At least for now. And I am okay with that.

My mother's party was this past weekend and yesterday I was so burnt out. It really opened my eyes to treasuring every moment of every day. Don't waste time on something that doesn't make you happy. I can't worry about what people think anymore or what they are saying about me. I don't live this life for them. And they don't control my happiness.

If you want to follow along as I rebrand my business, reinvent my online presence and revamp my shop, I can be found on Instagram and Twitter.

I truly believe that when you do something you love, others will love it to. So I'm off to do just that and I know it is going to be awesome!!

Day 9: Repentance {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations."

Ezekiel 14:6

I'm not going to lie: it doesn't feel good when we look into our own hearts and see the impurity. Usually after we justify our emotions, we fall into deception thinking we are okay with God when in fact we are not. We ignore what the reality is because, well, the truth hurts sometimes. We don't like to get hurt.

However if we are willing to change and break free from emotional bondage, there is a crucial step we must take that is probably harder than any other step. That is repentance. Society, both in secular and nonsecular circles, have morphed the meaning of repentance. It has been watered down and cushioned to avoid being too controversial or too judgmental.

The fact is, repentance is a tool in the hand of our Creator. It is not used as a staff to harshly discipline us but rather a push towards the right direction. Repentance is more than a "I'm sorry" but is a complete turning away from our sin and into the lovely open arms of the Lord. It is not a form of criticism from God, pointing His finger at you and your mistakes. Repentance allows us to fully commit and submit to the Lord, making the decision to turn away from those unhealthy emotions with godly fear.

In Matthew 23:25-27, Jesus says:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

We shouldn't want to just feel beautiful on the outside but most importantly on the inside. When we have sinned emotionally and don't repent, within we are unclean and of dead men's bones. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have life and freedom but we are as good as dead without repentance. The power of the blood is to wash and make clean. To give us a new life in Christ. 

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:7-10

In order to achieve true repentance, we must have a desire to reconcile with God. To make things right with Him. Once we have reconciled and have allowed God to change our hearts, we must vow never to go back to the sin we has committed. Repentance is a process. Only the Lord is perfect but every time we fall, we need to get back up and plant our feet firmly on the right path once again.

Reflection:

Think about the emotions that make your heart heavy. Is it because you have not repented of a certain sin? Are you holding on because you fear the unknown or the sin is just too comfortable? We all have at least one sin we just can't let go of. Now is the time to let go and be set free!

Action:

Ask the Lord to reveal to your heart the sins that you need to repent of. Write them down on a piece of paper and pray over them, asking God to forgive you and to grant you wisdom when confronted with these sins. Keep your mind on holy things (Philippians 4:8) which will deter you away from unholy emotions. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and the promises You've made. Thank You for the blood that washes us and cleanses us, breathing new life into our entire being. I pray that my desire to reconcile with You will grow and that I may have the wisdom to approach the throne even when my flesh is pulling me the other way. Help me to be discerning within my relationships, that I do not hinder others as they seek You and that I do not entertain ungodly emotions. I pray that I can fully turn away from my sin, so that You can be glorified in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Are you trying to hide a sin from God?

Are you stuck in justification mode and not repentance mode?

Day 8: Justification {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

In the world today, we cannot come across one person who hasn't been hurt or is hurting. Many of us are bound by fear, guilt, anger, hatred, depression and so many other unpleasant emotions. The Lord Jesus Christ has given everyone opportunity to be delivered. Yet it is not enough to just recognize that we need Him...we must know Him. Through that knowledge, through that real faith, we then are able to see our sin clearly instead of pointing at other people. A new door opens up towards repentance and (hopefully) a complete healing process.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Romans 1:20

This entire devotional series is about emotional bondage and is geared to deliver us from unhealthy, sinful emotions that keep us from fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. One thing remains clear when it comes to deliverance over bondage: we must first acknowledge that we are sinful and recognize those emotional sins in order to overcome them.

We can't spend our breath and time putting the blame on others. Even if someone else was in the wrong and we are emotionally paying for it, we are still responsible for how we handle the situation. Holding on to fear, guilt and pride is non-verbally justifying our sinful nature. When we choose to embrace our hurts instead of Christ, we are easily deceived.

Romans 3:20 says:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

To justify ourselves is to place us in the position of a righteous man. We paint ourselves as a victim, innocent and just when we are offended. Yet the scripture plainly states that by the law is the knowledge of sin and the deeds of that law no one should be justified in his own eyes. We are all sinners! Even if we are heavy with emotional pain, it is not right for us to grip onto them and hold them over people's heads.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23-24

It is a very hard concept to wrap our minds around. That even those who are broken, crying alone at night due to some unfortunate circumstance in their life, are still sinful. We want to believe that the wounded are just but the Bible says that every single one of us come short of the glory of God because of our sin. The Lord is the only just one.

But there is hope. God's glory was justified freely by His grace through the cross! When the Lord manifested Himself as a man and gave His life, that redemption was made available to wash away all sin. We no longer have to carnally justify our emotional pain but we can boldly approach God and receive deliverance!

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6

Reflections:
Have you ever said: "I know I shouldn't be mad at her, but she shouldn't have done that" or "My heart is hurting too much, Lord, for me to forgive them." These phrases show a person justifying why they should stay in their emotional bondage. Think about the offenses and relationships in your life. Think about the people who have wounded you the most. Are you still living in a justification mindset?

Action:
It is time to take those to God! To boldly approach the throne, not just asking forgiveness for how you feel but asking that the Lord place compassion upon your heart towards others. Pray that you can move past your emotional turmoil and into grace! Grace towards them and for yourself. Then go to them and declare that forgiveness and mercy (Matthew 5:24)

Prayer:
Lord, we are so thankful for Your grace and love! Thank You for Your sacrifice at Calvary, that each of us has the opportunity to be redeemed and washed of sin. Help us to believe in Your power more than our own, for we all come short of Your glory. You are Holy, Righteous and Just. Show us the reality within our justification so that we are moved towards forgiveness and then eventually repentance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Are you holding your emotions hostage against someone?

Is that person God?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Repentance
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

 

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 7: Selfishness {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

Wow, it has been a full week of the Breaking the Chains devotionals! It has truly been inspiring and life changing, at least for me. In fact, last night I received confirmation through my pastor's evening message that I am on the right track! Don't you just love when that happens? He actually spoke about the exact same thing we talked about in yesterday's devotion topic, "Playing Victim". God is good!!

Today, it's all about me. Okay, and you. Isn't that was selfishness is? Putting the spotlight on ourselves and being consumed by it. When we think about emotional bondage, many times we experience depression, anxiety, loneliness and so on because of past or current circumstances. These unhealthy emotions may not have been triggered by our selfish desires but holding onto them instead of giving them to the Lord borderlines on selfishness.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24

As Christians, we are suppose to be like Christ. We are suppose to be selfless. As our Lord and Saviour graciously became the sacrifice for us, His mind was on what would benefit His children. His mind was on love. As humans, we tend to hold onto the emotions that we are suppose to let go because we have not learned to love right. Or trust right. When we love the way God loves and we trust in Him, we are able to let go of our selfishness and embrace freedom.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2

Selfishness is usually wrapped up like a pretty present but when opened, only destruction lies. It looks appealing and feels good. When we take, hoard, keep instead of give, purge and bless. Being selfish in our ways actually steals the glory away from God! How can He be glorified in your life if you are in the spotlight? How can we be free from unhealthy emotional bondage if we only look at ourselves and not the One who truly delivers?

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 42:8

No matter how hard we try, we cannot change God's mind. He has stated in His Word that He will not give His glory to another. Yet, we in turn are so self-consumed, that spiritually we steal the show and expect Him to perform for us. We are looking inwardly to benefit our desires and justify our emotional bondage, that we are blind to an outward God who provides all the benefits we shall ever need!

Reflection:
Think about your daily priorities. Do you put what you want to do in front of what God wants you to do? Have you asked Him what we wants? Think about your relationships. Are you constantly being offended? Are you always dissatisfied? Many times selfishness comes in the form of pain. If we've been wounded, we automatically play the blame game instead of analyzing our motives and actions. Maybe it was our selfishness that triggered the offense.

Action:
We must ask the Lord to reveal our selfish motives and desires. Ask Him to change your thoughts and your hearts. Think about how you feel when someone asks you to do something. Do you feel happy to help or sulk and pout? Pray for God to be glorified through all that you say and do, so that it may bless others and free you from selfish tendencies.

Prayer:
Lord, we are so thankful that You gave Your life unselfishly at Calvary. Our minds cannot begin to understand the level of love You have shown. Help us to walk with You, so that we may be changed and can act more Christ-like. I pray that we will move to bless others first before ourselves and do it with joy. That we will let go of unhealthy emotions and trust in You, so that Your name is glorified in our lives. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have you ever hurt someone else because you were so focused on how you felt?

When was the last time you blessed someone happily?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Justification
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 6: Playing Victim {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 
1 Corinthians 15:55-58

One of the most difficult things I encountered when the Lord first showed me that my emotions were impure was admitting that I wasn't a victim. The problem was that I has allowed other people to control my emotions. I was on a rollercoaster, going up and down on a daily basis, and instead of being accountable for allowing myself to be on the ride, I was blaming the operator.

The truth is, playing victim is selfishness justified. Although we may be honest about our situation and the other person was in the wrong, painting ourselves as the innocent soul being bullied is not always accurate. For example, let's say someone lied to you and you found out. Our initial reaction would be anger and feeling hurt. This is not playing victim but you are reacting naturally to what happened. Now, what are you going to do with it? If you approach the Lord, asking Him for clarity and peace in the matter, that is mature and right. You will soon realize that those emotions shouldn't hold you and you move unto the next stage, which is forgiveness.

However, if you dismiss seeking God's help and instead retaliate by sulking, wallowing or complaining, this is playing victim. You are robbing both parties from forgiveness, peace and joy. Most importantly, you've allowed yourself to be so consumed with yourself and your feelings, that you no longer can see the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Playing victim puts us on a road of self-pity. We start thinking we have been victimized and lose sight of being victorious in Christ! We forget that we can overcome because He overcame. Victimizing ourselves prolongs healing and strains our relationships. We become easily offended instead of easily forgiving. We hold onto expectations and forget who God revealed Himself to be. Our suffering becomes more important than Christ's suffering on Calvary.

The definition of "victimize" is:

1. To subject to swindle or fraud.

2. To make a victim of.

Reflection:

Giving into our emotions when we've been hurt by someone only hurts us more. It blinds us from having the victory that the Lord wants us to have and giving forgiveness that the Lord wants us to give. Wallowing in self-pity justifies our selfish carnality, swindling us from overcoming the bondage that hold us down.

Action:

The first thing we must do is when the offense comes, we must recognize that we have a choice. Then we must ask the Lord for a clear view, unaltered by our victimizing ways. This will help us make the right choice and move us closer to healing, forgiveness and overcoming emotional bondage. 

Prayer:

Oh Lord, You are so Awesome and Magnificent. Great are Your ways! I'm so thankful Your thoughts are above mine, that You see what is true and good. Thank You for overcoming the world through the cross, that we have a chance to overcome as well! When offenses come, please show me what is true in the situation. Help me to let go of any unhealthy emotions, so that I may learn to be accountable and forgive. Thank You for being our Provider and Healer. I pray that we will trust in Your power more than the power of those around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do you often "play victim" when you've been wounded?

Have you ever victimized someone?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Selfishness
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 5: Our Expectations {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

When we think about the negative emotions that bind us on a daily basis, we have to wonder how did they get there. Often times depression, anxiety, loneliness etc. stem from childhood experiences, a broken past or troubling situation that still leaves a mark. The majority of us, however, become so wrapped up in expectations within our relationships that guilt sets in if these expectations are not met.

I firmly believe that if we can direct our expectations properly, then our emotions will be properly filtered as well. Have you ever felt like you were not enough or you didn't do enough? Have you ever felt disappointed in someone because you expected them to act a certain way or to say a certain thing? Have you had relationships falter and fade because one or both of you expected a different outcome than what the reality was?

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

It is in these expectations that our insecurities swell and become burdens. Having the wrong expectations can birth wrong ideas, wrong mindsets and (you guessed it) wrong emotions. Yesterday we talked about how God defined love by becoming a man and dying at Calvary. All we ever need is in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

In fact, Psalm 62 verses 5 & 6 says:
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."

When we know who the Lord really is, our expectations can be satisfied because we know and understand what He is capable of. We no longer are bound by the expectations among creation but can rest our expectation firmly on Christ!

Jesus proclaims:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:
When was the last time you felt rest from your expectations? The Lord wants you to rest by coming to Him with your heavy heart and mind. Having wrong expectations robs you of the joy and peace that God wants you to have! Do you expect more from creation than God?

Action:
Honestly look at your relationships. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what expectations you have and how to lay them to rest with Him. Work towards being a blessing to other people instead of expecting people to bless you. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you so much for being all that we need! We can rest our expectations and hope in You without fear of disappointment. We are so thankful that You can provide all satisfaction. Show us how to trust that You will never steer us wrong. Help us to put all expectations on You, so that we may experience the most out of our earthly relationships and our divine relationship with You. We are thankful for Your Word and promises. In Jesus' Name, Amen! 

What sort of expectations do you have when in a relationship?

What do you expect from God?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Playing Victim
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 4: Defining Love {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:39

Many of the negative emotions we are bound to usually stem from a desire. This desire is either to be loved to or to show love. It could be a young adolescent daydreaming about prince charming, a housewife secretly wanting her marriage to go emotionally deeper or a mother's heart aching as she raises her children. While none of these situations are wrong, often times they provoke the wrong emotions. These can be guilt, shame, lust, depression, anxiety and so on. These are the emotions we are trying to cut ties from. These are the emotions that we are seeking deliverance from. These emotions that haunt our nights and consume our days...stealing our joy and happiness. That's what this challenge is trying to accomplish. To break the chains and set us free, for good.

When the word "love" comes up, it can spark many different definitions for different people. Memories and thoughts will flood our minds, which in turn showcases what we think love is and what love is not. In order to find the proper definition, we must go to the One who has defined love: The Lord Jesus Christ. For it is His demonstration of love that defines what it is in the greatest measure and who He is in the greatest depth.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

When we are in a relationship, the most important thing is knowing that person's name. It is second nature for us to call the names of our friends and family who we see often or have an association with. We don't have to think twice. It is engrained into our minds and when we see that person, that name will come into our thoughts. It is the greatest identification system ever created.

However, when we think of God, there is confusion as to what to call Him. What is God's name? When we hear of God, we usually hear of three main titles but we rarely hear of God having an actual name. These titles are the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (or Spirit).

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Ephesians 4:4-6

The Bible tells us that God is one, not three separate beings. Though God is the Father, and He is the Son and He is the Holy Ghost, He still needs to have One name. And that name is Jesus Christ!

Think of it like this. As a lady, you are someone's daughter. You may also be someone's sister and someone else's cousin. Those are three different titles: daughter, sister and cousin. Does that mean you are three different people? Absolutely not!

Those are your titles but they are under one name: yours! Your name may be Mary, for example, but you can be Mary the daughter, Mary the sister or Mary the cousin, depending on what you are doing and where you are. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Our great big God made Himself known to His creation by becoming a man and sacrificing His blood for us at Calvary. Our Father loves us so much, that He was willing to put limitations on Himself in order to be the pure Lamb, so that we have an opportunity to be cleansed of sin. How amazing is that?! God is the source of true love because He IS love! Love was defined at Calvary and can still be found when we humble ourselves and submit to Him. 

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God."

Isaiah 43:10-12

"Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

John 8:54-58

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

Exodus 3:13-14

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great I AM! He was that spiritual Rock in Moses' day and He is still that spiritual Rock for us. His love knows no boundaries, no time frames, no limitations. Even though God took on physical limitations as a man, it never changed His Identity, Character or Person. He was always One and His Name was always the same. He was and is the Deity who thoroughly loves His children.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

Reflection:
This world has truly perverted and distorted the real definition of love. Love is not wrapped in a hot night of passion. Love is not googly eyes from across the room. That is lust and human emotion. True love is defined at Calvary, where the Lord Jesus Christ died to cleanse you and I from sin, which includes unhealthy emotional bondage. Love is action and God demonstrated that in the highest form.

Action:
Now is the time to put aside our own thoughts, mindsets and desires to better understand the love of God. In order for us to love others, we must first love God and to do that, we must know Him. It will be through this knowledge that His truth will spring forth and consume the darkness that it holding us. The Bible says in Him is no darkness at all and that whom He sets free, will be free indeed!

Prayer:
Father, You are truly magnificent. Your power is infinite and Your abilities are astounding. I'm thankful for Your Plan and that it included salvation for us. We desire to know true love, in You. Lord Jesus, please show us who You really are, that we may understand the depth of Calvary. So that we may be washed clean from false teaching and idolatry. That we can receive a real revelation and be transformed. Thank You for becoming a man, for humbling Yourself and being obedient to the cross. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Who do you love in your life (besides God)?

If love is action, how do you show it?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Our Expectations
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 3: Real Faith {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

As the third day of Breaking the Chains is upon us, I can't help but feel a difference within myself. How about you? Day 1, we spoke about the power of the Word. Day 2 complimented that with praying through and how it is vital to our deliverance to keep an open communication with God. After all, He seeks after a relationship not our traditions. 

Today, we are going to talk about real faith. What do I mean by "real faith"? New age Christianity has become comfortable in mixing the words "faith" and "hope". Many of us have found ourselves praying with a hopeful heart more than a faithful heart. Hope is a beautiful thing. When we have hope, we are given a positive mindset to go on through our trials. However, in order to have a real deliverance from emotional impurity, we have to have faith and lots of it.

My pastor blesses us with each sermon because of his faith; his knowledge of who the Lord Jesus Christ is. He is a biblical scholar and teacher, using every opportunity he is given to help us go deeper into the Word. I encourage you to listen to our church's podcast right here. One of my favorite quotes from my pastor is "Faith is not a hope-so. It's a know-so." Real faith is real knowledge about the God we claim to love and serve. It is not hoping we understand but it is having the right information about Him so that we may be able to please Him.
This is the definition of faith courtesy of my pastor:

Faith is the personal intimate knowledge of the Person, Identity and Plan of God that enables you to discern what He intends to do, so that you can work in harmony with Him.

When we tell one another to "have faith" what do we mean? Most of the time, we are implying to be hopeful. This is not the same as faithful. When we have real faith, we have true knowledge of who God is and therefore can make the right choices in our life. Through making the right choices, we become faithful to God.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Hebrews 11:1-3

Faith is the substance! That substance is knowledge that is obtained through studying the Word of God and communicating with Him through prayer. With that faith, that knowledge, we then are able to understand and see things is a spiritual light. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith, not by sight", which means we should be walking by our knowledge and not by our carnality.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6

Faith is powered by love. It is because of the Lord's love that we are able to have knowledge of Him. Our relationship with Him rests upon our faith. Without the right knowledge, we cannot have the right relationship. Therefore, our hearts will remain unclean.

Reflection:
Faith is not a hope. Faith is not acknowledgement. Faith IS knowledge! The truth exercised in our mind. Think about your faith. How well do you know God? How deep is your faith? To break the chains around depression, fear and anxiety it is going to take more than a hope. It's going to take real faith!

Action:
Take some time today to ask the Lord to reveal who He is to you. Pray for a real revelation. Ask that your mind and thoughts be changed and directed to new territory. Ask the Lord to reveal any false knowledge that you may have of Him and to guide you towards having real faith. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and resist feeling prideful or shameful. We want to build on what He has already done in your life, not take it away.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
We are truly blessed to have a God who cares about our hearts and minds. Thank You for loving us so much, that You have provided the knowledge we need to not only understand who You are but Your plan for our lives. We ask, Lord, for a renewed revelation. Please break down any false mindsets we may have built up. Help us to gain real faith by Your Word and prayer. Help us with our desires, that our relationship with You may reach a deeper level. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to rest upon your knowledge of God (your faith) in order to get through?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Defining Love
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 2: Praying Through {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

Psalm 5:3

Yesterday, we spoke about the power of the Word of God and how it can deliver us from unhealthy emotional bondage. I hope you felt as empowered as I did!

While the Word shows us who the Lord Jesus Christ is (which we will dive deeper into in the coming weeks), our God and Saviour, prayer goes hand in hand as a form of communication with Him. We cannot experience a full deliverance from impure emotional patterns without prayer. When we are in a compromising situation where we feel unhealthy emotions rise, a simple prayer can calm the inward storm.

Ephesians 6:18 says:

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

An analogy I use in my book The Palace Keepers is one that involves a ballerina. To avoid dizziness, they are taught to keep their eyes on a single, unmoving target as they spin. When they turn, their heads snap back to the same spot, their gaze falling on the same area. Usually it's a pole or a corner of the room. This helps them focus and not become lost or dazed. 

Prayer is like that. It helps keep our focus on the Lord, our attention always snapping back to Him as our world and our emotions keep us spinning. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, it says that we must "pray without ceasing."

Prayer is not bound by time. While praying early in the morning prepares us to face the day, the Bible often talks about praying without ceasing, or without intermission. What does this mean?

Pray through the pain!

Pray through the clouds of doubt!

Pray through an anxious heart!

Pray through all hours of the day!

Pray through your transformation!

If you wait until everything was perfect to pray, you'll be waiting for all eternity. This means we must deny ourselves (1 Corinthians 15:31) and pray even when we don't feel like it. Because we cannot go by what we feel (Jeremiah 17:9)...that's how we got into emotional bondage in the first place! When the walls of depression are pressing on your chest, a prayer should be on your breath.

God adores you. He wants a relationship with you. This cannot happen without open communication, much like any earthly relationship. Your desire for healthy pure emotions lies in a healthy pure relationship with the Lord. It's not about giving Him a to-do list; He is not a vending machine, spitting out blessings at the touch of a button. We can pray for certain things (Matthew 6:8 and Matthew 7:7) but it must go deeper than that. It should mean more to us than that. 

Reflection:

Keeping that line of communication open between Creator and creation, is what will bring about profound change. As we pray through, we must believe that He will meet our needs while we take time to meet with Him. We don't pray to change God's mind. We pray to change ours. For He does not change but we are commanded to. (Malachi 3:6 and Philippians 3:21)

Action:

Yesterday, we took a look at our daily routine with honest eyes. Along with making sure we are in His Word daily, we need to incorporate prayer. Talking to the Lord needs to be a state of mind, whether through tragedy or victory, we are able to communication to the One who knows all things. If you are struggling, set a specific time each day to pray. This will help keep a commitment and make you accountable for this divine appointment.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we thank You the opportunity we are given to seek Your face on a daily basis. How privileged we are that You are so loving and merciful, that we are allowed to come unto You with our requests and sinful hearts. We ask, Lord God, for a revelation of who You are so that we will better understand how to communicate through prayer. Change our thoughts to Your thoughts, so that we are pleasing to You. We believe in Your delivering power and ask that You cover us and protect us from unhealthy emotions. Show us how to discern our feelings and how to behave within our relationships. We give You all honor and praise. In Jesus' name Amen. 

Do you have something on your heart today?

Leave a prayer request in the comments so that we may pray for you!

Simple state "unspoken" if you'd like to keep details private.

God already knows the details :)

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Real Faith
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 1: Power of the Word {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

Today is the first day of Breaking the Chains and I have to say I feel God moving already! The fact that we have made a commitment to seek Him for deliverance and guidance has already placed our feet on the right path. So let’s get started!

It is no secret that words themselves are powerful tools. Maybe this is how many of us have arrived at the crossroads between truth and lies. Perhaps the enemy has used other people to throw verbal darts into your character or tossed vocal grenades shattering your value. Now you are left with the broken pieces of doubt, fear and depression. All of which are not of God and all of which He doesn’t want you to hold onto.

The Bible says:

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." Proverbs 30:5

In order to find true deliverance from unhealthy emotions, we must believe that His Word is exactly that: His. If we do not embrace the Bible, acknowledging it’s historic preservation and life-altering abilities, we cannot embrace the Lord. The written Word, scripture, is the breathe of God stamped into ink. How amazing is it that we can carry it around? Hold it. Touch it. Read it.

Psalms 33:6 says:

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.”

It was by His Word that the heavens and the earth were made. The Lord simply spoke…and it was (Genesis 1:1-5). The Word is able to stand the test of time, generations of mockers and decades of criticism because it is God’s breath! It stands on its own power. Every single word written has a purpose.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”Isaiah 40:8

Take a moment right now and ask yourself honestly: do I believe in the power of the Word? Have I taken time to study it and let it change me, or do I just brush it off like another check on my to-do list? Do I even add it to my list at all? Our emotions are wired a certain way for a reason. In order to understand the wiring process, we have to plug into the Maker. What better way than to sit and read His Word!

In order to break the chains of emotional bondage, we have to allow the Word to break us, to cut away and perform spiritual surgery on our souls. To open up the floodgates and wash our wounds. 

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piecing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Reflection:
The Word is so powerful, it not only can break you but it can heal you! (Matthew 8:16) When you are crippled by life’s trials and buried under layers of pain, His Word can blow that away. You can be refreshed. You can be renewed. The power of the Word takes the broken pieces and makes something new! (Revelation 21:5)

Action: 
Take a look at your daily routine. Have you implanted the power of the Word? Do you sit down, every day, and read scripture? If not, it is time to do just that. Deliverance does not just happen. It is time to not just hope. It is time to gain knowledge and connect with the Healer. For your healing will come from the power of His Word into your life!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
We know that You are all powerful. Thank You for giving us the gift of Your Word. Almighty God, please transform our thoughts to Your thoughts, that we may trust in Your Word. Help us to appreciate scripture, to allow it to change us. Please grant us the knowledge and understanding that is needed for true deliverance from emotional bondage. We believe what You have said about Your Word.  We pray that we take time daily to read it, study it and apply it. 
In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

 I would love to connect and be inspired by you.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why? 

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Praying Through
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

31 Devotions in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains

Well, here I am again. As I sit to write this, I can't help but shake the feeling of hypocrisy. Last Monday I posted here that I felt the need to step back from this place. Not shut down the blog, but refocus, connect to the real, take a break...and plug into Jesus. And I did. Believe me. Then two days later, I was back here. Why do I keep coming back, Lord? What is it about this space that I can't seem to walk away, even temporarily?

Yesterday I received my answer. As I was praying and reflecting on life, matters of the heart, this blog, I felt a passion rise up. A passion that I haven't felt in a long time. That's when it hit me. The emotions I'm feeling right now, in this moment, make me vulnerable. And in that realm, I'm scared and lost. I don't like not having control. I don't like the unknown. Do you? I know you don't either. That's why I'm here. To share my story, to share my heart and the journey that I'm on right now. I'm nothing special but I have a voice. And He wants me to use it.

It dawned on me that the reason why I wanted to take a break was because I don't feel good enough. There, I said it. Guilt, failure and low self worth has been plaguing me for months. I've never felt this bad about myself before. There's nothing in my life that I'm missing; hear me. I have ALL that I need and more! So what it is, God? Why have I allowed depression and fear become regulars in the day to day? More importantly...how can I break these chains?

I crave for acceptance and perfection. It's like a disease that eats away at the positivity inside of me. I have fallen into the trap and believed the lies of the enemy. But not anymore. Will you join me? Would it be okay if I allowed this place to transform these next 31 days, as the Lord transforms me? Yes, it will be hard. But I am hoping that daily coming back here to reflect on these topics will hold me accountable. And will be a voice for someone else in need.

Starting October 1st, I will be posting a devotion every day for the entire month. I'll pray over these topics, dive into the scripture and report back here with what I've learned. I can tell you right now, I'm already struggling with this commitment and it hasn't even begun yet! I'm struggling because I know I'm going to be broken...and vulnerable, in front of you. No fluff, no show, no mask. I can no longer hide so here I am. I hope you can accept me.

Just a few things:

- There may be other posts scheduled for the month. These posts will go live during the day. Devotions will most likely be published in the early evening, Eastern Standard Time. 

- I am aware that what I believe may not be the same as what you believe. I respect everyone's individual opinion and kindly ask for the favor to be returned. I may say some things or share some views that you may disagree with. Please be respectful and courteous, using the comment box wisely. Questions are welcome but I will not allow any heated discussions to be published. I want this to be a place for the broken who need healing, not a platform for debates.

- That being said, I'm implementing an "open door" policy. Should you have any questions that require deeper study, I'm offering one-on-one Q&A sessions and Bible studies. These will be conducted either through email, Google Chat/Hangout or over the phone. Simply leave a comment with your email and request, in any of the devotion posts.

- Above all, love one another. Pray for each other. Uplift, edify and He will be glorified. Let's create a community for the hurting ones. Share what God is doing in your life and listen to what He is doing in others. Make sure to connect on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BTC31

Feel free to grab a button for your blog! 

<center> <a href="http://www.jacyleepulford.com/search/label/btc31" target="_blank"><img alt="Jacy Lee Pulford" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f3ffY2FqQEw4boef7-4vLmWAaqQdY-NxI5sGiNIJ8MUJOMMLZ5bztbTy17jcix6vav3bYm4ayvzYetPHss_pH_dzSMyUXnaa7bRDdjkxZD3_coRT1jfJ1q0IKctYiDg2XrUIDdoUAegu/s1600/BTC-devotions-button.jpg"" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;"> <b><br /></b></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_a0fHHchxh0M9CSosAoLjUOSa3FzyKItW_G22Rmo37NPntGotGInC8Wwkd2t3vMrqmXL4_vAcWk4_EpbJ4mE945AFheqqxO1rJy6hZMRIARvo8U5FXLYvvbuXNGH_MUI4VlPc612Fhm/s1600/jacy-signature2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU_a0fHHchxh0M9CSosAoLjUOSa3FzyKItW_G22Rmo37NPntGotGInC8Wwkd2t3vMrqmXL4_vAcWk4_EpbJ4mE945AFheqqxO1rJy6hZMRIARvo8U5FXLYvvbuXNGH_MUI4VlPc612Fhm/s1600/jacy-signature2.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div>

Together, we can break the chains of emotional bondage. God created all emotions but this world has blurred that purpose. It's time to take a stand and not justify our guilt, our fears, our anxiety any longer. Tomorrow will mark Day 1 and we will be talking about the "Power of the Word." I'm so ready to embrace that power! Are you?

Take a moment to listen to the song that inspired the name of this devotional commitment:

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>