Lisa 9 26 21

Dear Brethren and Friends,                                                                                                                                                                    September 26, 2021

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  (John 8:31-32 ESV)

Several girls and I are studying the Gospel of John (expository) and recently we discussed in depth John 8:31-47. Verses John 8:31-32 stood out to me. What does truth applied look like?

The following is a “story” that a sister in Christ sent me, which I believe personifies truth applied in a very simple and plain way. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.

“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the One God would use to deliver them from famine.

“I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

“I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

“And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off the Cross. Off the road that led to suffering and pain.  Off the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns.  And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

“And oh, friend, I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now, I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hardship will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this.  And He’s promising you that you can trust Him.  Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

“So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I’m asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning.  I’m asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”

                                                                                                            –R.J.

Free. Free from “trying to figure it out.”  Free from worry. Free from the “fix it” mentality. Free from anxiety. Free from “If only.”

“Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4 KJV)

1 “I will go before you
and level the exalted places,
2 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness
and the hoards in secret places,
that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I name you, though you do not know me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the LORD, who does all these things.” (Isaiah 45:2-7 ESV)

Serving Him,

Lisa Miller

#149005A

Niagara County Jail

PO Box 496

Lockport, NY  14095