Hello everyone!
I snapped this picture of the lake on Monday,
when the perfect weather was upon us.
It hasn't looked like this since 😂
Tuesday was overcast and dreary.
Wednesday it drizzled all day.
We shall see what today holds.
Nevertheless...it's going to be a good day!
Banjo and I have been doing a lot of thinking this week.
Well, mostly me.
He's been doing a lot of barking and sleeping.
I've been letting go of some things I've been carrying around mentally
and after I came to that decision,
I found this verse...
"But when you decide to break free,
you will shake his yoke from your neck."
(Genesis 27:40 NLT)
I love finding little nuggets of truth like this in the Bible,
don't you?
Especially when they speak to something you've already been
praying about.
Sometimes we yoke ourselves to some kind of situation,
emotion, mindset, fear or whatever it is that we
can't quite break free from.
But this verse says that when we decide
to break free,
only then will you shake the yoke (of bondage)
from your neck.
Just as sin begins with a selfish desire
(James' words, not mine!),
so does bondage, at times.
We decide to pick up some kind of mindset,
fear, emotion or habit -
whatever it might be -
and we yoke ourselves to it for some reason.
Many times, this is just fuel for the enemy
to use against us, over and over again.
But the Word of God says
that when we decide to break free,
we WILL be free!
The decision has to be made in your mind first!
This doesn't mean you won't pick it back up again
and have to decide more times than once.
But the more you shake that yoke
off, the better you'll become
and eventually you will be free
from the bondage it once held over you.
I hope this speaks to someone today.
I know it has really spoken to me this week.
Tune in next time for less seriousness
and maybe more cute photos of Banjo 🐶
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
I really, really love what you said here today and in the comment you left on my blog. This speaks to me as well, and it does make sense. In my case, it's something someone said about me and how she feels about me- and if I keep dwelling on it and thinking about it, I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I have to decide to shake it off and to just keep going about my daily life. I thought I was doing a good job, but I keep talking about it, which is what I need to stop. Ugh! Thank you so much for sharing this today, my friend. You have such a way with beautiful and encouraging words!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, that is so hard when you know there is unresolved conflict with someone. I usually have to talk it out. I hate being in conflict! But, sometimes things are better dealt with by prayer and letting go and that's tough! Thank you for the encouraging words :)
DeleteThis speaks to me today for sure. We've been dealing with a family member and decades long history that's not so nice. It's been hard to keep scripts from running through my head. I hand him over to god a dozen times per day, it seems. I needed to see/hear those words today... "when you decide to break free". Thank you! --Elise
ReplyDeleteElise, I can certainly relate! It takes handing it over many times and then deciding to break free and quit letting that situation hold you hostage. I hope you find peace :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful backyard! What a sweet Banjo!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, we hold things for some really crazy reasons sometimes. Letting go is what is needed most often. God spoke to you with that verse. He speaks often - if we only listen.
Thank you for this message.
You're so right, Cheryl :) God is always speaking. We just need to listen more.
DeleteBanjo...you are too sweet!! Thanks for the wisdom today. So many areas (of my life) where I see this needs application. I am too quick to pick back up those things that easily entangle me...and destroy both my joy and peace. I appreciate the reflection this evening.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, choose one area and maybe that victory will spill over into another :)
DeleteYes, I think you are right. Thanks for the great craft idea...I love it! I'm even thinking I might do it twice...with two smaller groups instead of one larger one. I've never modge podged a thing in my life but I'm willing to give it a try! And I wanted to tell you that I love that photo in your header. It was so pretty when you I first saw it in a post but it looks perfect up there at the top!!:)
DeleteThank you. I needed this reminder today. It really is a decision we have to make to let go of fear, anger - those "sins that so easily entangle us." And most times, at least for me, I need to repeat the process more times than I care to admit. But the more I listen to the Lord telling me to let go, the easier it gets to let go of those things. Thank you, too, for your blog and sharing your lovely home and family with us.
ReplyDeleteMust be so peaceful looking out over the water.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo.
What a little cutie! And the lake view is comforting. Thank you for your words today, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI swear I have only been here a couple times, but right now this speaks to me also. I am trying to make a decision regarding my job. I know what the decision is but keep stopping myself because of all of the extra stuff we store in our minds. Thank you for the moment.
ReplyDelete