WORD for Today!!

Good Morning everyone!! I pray you all had a blessed day yesterday and are having an even more awesome weekend!! This morning I wanted to continue sharing on the topic of freedom. Because, everyone experiences some freedom when they reached their goal wt or are close to it!!! You feel free from all the extra weight, both physically and emotionally. (Its also during this time, that many people who have not dealt with past issues or did not realize they had issues begin to come to light or are already exposed. So some actually experience the opposite, BUT if they deal with those issues properly, they can attain freedom too.) And you sense a lightness, relief and peace like you have never experienced before!! No longer do you experience anger, shame, sadness or despair in that area. How wonderful to have this freedom!!! That is why it is so important to do a little intake of yourself to make sure you have dealt with any underlying issues. Otherwise, I can guarantee that it will come to surface. AND not only does it affect you it affects those around you. Soooo.......lets fast forward and say that you have dealt with those past issues and are free!!! What now?? Can you go and do whatever you want to!! Live life to its fullest! Without any restraints!! NOPE!!! Because that very freedom you experience, if not kept in check, can actually lead you back into sin and unhappiness. You may be thinking "What, how can this be??" Lets look at what the Bible says, Galations 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Do you notice that it says, do not allow youself to be burdened AGAIN by the yoke of slavery (which is sin). Therefore you have to keep yourself in check with this wonderful freedom given to you, Meaning you can take it to the extreme and get hurt in the end. For example, I know all of us have heard of transference addictions. One example is someone who had lost all the weight they wanted, now feel free to be the person they desired to become. They have previously had only a few relationships and now are dating every guy they meet and are allowing themselves to be sexually used. They have taken their freedom to the extreme to where its harming themselves. The bible also warns against this. (yes, there is more to the addiction issue than this, but just wanted to share a quick example) Galations 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." God knew ahead of time, that if there was no self control, that people would use the freedom given to them and would end up in worse shape. Sooo when you attain this freedom, self-control needs to be exercised so that you do not get hurt in anyway. Jesus can and will give you the strength you need to keep these things in check. You have to trust him and have faith in him. True freedom is sooo wonderful!!!! You want stay in this place!! Its a place of peace, happiness and fulfillment. I encourage all of you to continue to seek God about the areas you are addressing in your life and to ask him to give you the strength to withstand the temptations that may come your way to try to get you out of that freedom. Even though you have freedom, there is still a spiritual war going on over you and you have to be on your guard and continue to fight to keep your freedom. I think the wonderful thing about freedom is that God can use you to help others who are going through the exact same thing. Many people are looking for someone who has been there and has overcome!!!! How exciting would that be if God chose you to be that person in someones life, to mentor them, help train them, help them overcome it!! You never know who that person may eventually turn out to be!!! That person could be the next president or the next Billy Graham!! I am continuing to pray for you all!!! I know you will have a blessed day today and you will begin to experience the freedom God wants you to have!! I love you all! Lucy