Jesus Wants You Free

I started my first “diet” when I was in the 6th grade. I was chunky and awkward and the boy I had a crush on had called me “blubber butt” while I was rounding the bases in kickball.

That was the beginning of a love-hate relationship with food that would last the next four decades.

For years, when my children were young, I handled the stress of motherhood by over eating and bingeing on sweets. Because of the extra weight I carried, I couldn’t play with my children the way I wanted to and I was embarrassed to be the “fat” mom.

Reality really hit me when my husband and I had taken our youngest son to the city and had a little time to kill. There was a monument that we decided to go see and instead of walking with them I told them I would wait in the car. My feet hurt too much to walk that far. My son was ten years old. When they walked away together that day, I knew that something had to change. God had more for me and I had to find a way to take control of my addiction.

I started researching surgery options. It was a frightening thought to do something that drastic but it was MORE frightening to think about what would happen if I didn’t. I prayed and asked God to confirm to me if this was the path I should take. One morning after seeking God for an answer, I woke up and I heard him say, “this is the way, walk in it.” I got out of bed and I thought I remembered there being a scripture with those words and I started searching. I found it in Isaiah 30:21:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”I knew that God was walking this path with me. God wanted me free and provided a tool to help me.

As you read this maybe you can relate to the struggle of addiction. There are so many things the enemy can use to keep us bound: the need for approval, pornography, gambling, work, success, fame, money, alcohol, prescription drugs, and the list goes on. As Christians we are not immune from his tactics. In fact, I would bet if you are pursuing after Jesus, temptations will come. Thankfully, James 4:7 says,

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Maybe you are neck-deep in the grips of addiction. You’ve given in so many times that now you need help to unlock the chains. Friend, I want to encourage you today by reminding you that there is NO SHAME in Christ. Don’t isolate and hide in the pit. JESUS WANTS YOU FREE! Who can you reach out to for help? What tool can God use to deliver you? Don’t wait.

• Writer, Stacy Riddle

What is Brave Worship?

Many creatives identify themselves with the Levites in the Old Testament. The ones who led worship for the people of God.  

Do you know what their name means?

“..the meaning of the word “Levite” (Hebrew lewi), which comes from Hebrew root ל-ו-ה, meaning “connect” or “attach”; lewi literally means “one who is connected/attached [or] “the joined ones”...These are the true Christian servants — [those] who are ready to go forth to all, and yet [those] who are able, bravely, to take their stand alone, because they are joined to God.” (biblehub)

Brave Worship firmly believes that Community = Courage!

There are some great Biblical Examples:

• Jericho

• Crossing of the Jordan

But the one I’m going to use today, you guessed it, 2 Chronicles 20! The story of how the Moabites and Ammonites were defeated through praise! You remember that story right? Oh if not, read it right now! We all LOVE this passage don’t we..haha..we’re always using it to kinda prove our value aren’t we? To prove that what we do is important “on levels that other people just can’t understand”...I kid, I kid, haha. You know it’s true ;) But seriously, why do we love this passage? As I was reading over the passage this week, something stood out to me that hadn’t before.

Let’s look at  V.14-23:

“14-17 Then Jahaziel was moved by the Spirit of God to speak from the midst of the congregation. (Jahaziel was the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah the Levite of the Asaph clan.) He said, “Attention everyone—all of you from out of town, all you from Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat—God’s word: Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours. Tomorrow you’ll go after them; see, they’re already on their way up the slopes of Ziz; you’ll meet them at the end of the ravine near the wilderness of Jeruel. You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow—God is with you.”

18-19 Then Jehoshaphat knelt down, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping God. The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!

20 They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you’ll come out on top!”

21 After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing,

Give thanks to God,
His love never quits.

22-23 As soon as they started shouting and praising, God set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. ”

Wow. Something about that story resonates deep within us, doesn’t it? Their worship is still leading us today, calling out for us to join the fight.

The worship warrior inside us longs to join with those who bravely stood and sang long before us.  And it’s through that longing that we begin to hear their shouts of praise, perhaps softly at first but then growing louder and louder!

It sounds old, as ancient as the Ancient of Days himself. But if you can hear it, don’t delay, don’t hesitate for a moment. Join those, like the levites who STOOD, even before the battle had begun(v.19) and prepare God’s people. Show them what it looks like to STAND in the face of adversity. Show them what faith looks like. Show them how to be brave. And God’s spirit will ignite a passionate blaze within them and us! One that knows no fear, that knows no enemy. For the Lord our God is with us! (v.17)

This was accomplished through a group. A community of worshippers. The joined ones. They were joined to God but they were also joined together.

“When we are side by side, we are stronger, bolder, braver!”

As you march TOGETHER you will be brave. You will be fearless.

And you will write and you will lead brave worship!

This is what Brave Worship is about. This is our heart and our purpose.

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Amanda Blankenship