Ashamed

Lisa Buffalo: "Tears flowed down her checks, her head dropped in shame. Another held her baby, the child of her captor, the one who had raped her. (Google image added) Entire villages were pillaged. Women raped, girls stolen, and now babies are born from their victimization. They say their lives are over, that all hope is gone, because of their shame... My heart breaks for the heartbreak. I’m so angry at the injustice and the evil of men. The world is full of men, women, boys, and girls who have been victimized and attacked.  Then the enemy plants lies that those victimized are the ones who should be ashamed. THAT IS A LIE! Satan is a liar — that is who he is and what he does. Don’t allow the enemy to rewrite the truth of God. Oh how I want to tell them (and tell you) there is nothing someone has done to you or that you have done that can separate you from the love of Christ. You do NOT have to feel ashamed for what someone else did to you. You do not have to live in shame. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Take your shame to Jesus. Jesus took on our sin and shame, nailed it to the cross, conquered death and rose again so we don’t live in sin and shame. You are free in Christ. The enemy tries to tell you that you have been defiled and dishonored, but Jesus said, “Whatever comes from [the heart of] a man, that is what defiles and dishonors him.” ~  Mark 7:20 (AMP) What the enemy has used to try and shame you, throw back on his slimy head by living for Christ. Hurt the enemy for hurting you by living free in Christ and telling others how to live free in Christ. Take what Satan meant to destroy you, to use to destroy the enemy! That’s why I share my testimony (you can watch on YouTube  http://youtu.be/t8wh45HsNeo). I want to tell others you can be free!  Oh how I want to love on the women who have given birth to their rapist captor. Oh how I want to encourage them to raise their children up for Christ to be spiritual warriors for Christ. Raise your head, sweet one. Raise up the children to know and love their true Father — God. Raise up in the truth that you are forever loved by Jesus Christ. God is a Father to the fatherless, He is the One who sets the captives free, and He is the One who will never leave you or forsake you.  God takes your shame, washes you clean, restores your innocence, and gives you a new life and a new hope, for nothing is impossible for God! “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed.” ~ Psalm 34:4-5 (NASB) “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].” ~ Romans 8:1 (AMP) Alisabuffaloe.com  Shamed Posted: 19 May 2016 07:38 AM PDT Pray with me- Google image     Father, when we see the grief that others have, may we be quick to emphasize with them.     Some of us can very well realize anew, that our own grief has been similar, so we have no room to criticize them.     The precious women who've experienced such terrible offenses need the touch and comfort of those who know the Saviour, to cause them to receive from Him the love He has for them and their babies.    May we be conduits of the Father's grace, bringing His peace to their souls and guidance for the days ahead.     I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.     ​ I invite you to check out Debbie McEwen's new blog post and find out why she asks: Are You Contagious? Today's quotes- "We all need the support of one another. As brothers and sisters in the family of God, we have so many opportunities to encourage one another on our shared journey of faith. And God is right here in our midst giving us His grace to do that." Anne Cetas (ODB 6/5/16) "I'm so excited to announce my new book Without Rival, available on August 16. I wrote this out of my own struggles over the years to find my God-given identity and purpose. My hope is that it will help you find yours as well. There are a million voices that will attempt to define you, label you, put you in a box, and conform you to their expectations, but only God can tell you who He created you to be. You, beloved, are without rival. Here are the first two chapters of Without Rival. This book as an invitation to pursue Him...that He alone might reveal you. Love, Lisa Bevere Co-founder, Messenger International P.S. If you enjoy the first two chapters, be sure to pre-order Without Rival. For a limited time, you can get some fun bonuses as well. (I'm posting this a day early, as I'll have no time to do that tomorrow. I'm leaving right after church to fly to Albany to visit friends and family for the week. ) Upcoming posts-                  Called by Name  4th- by Dave Branon             Importunity's Toil and Travail  6th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel               Repetition in Importunity  8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel        There's Going to be Wind in Your Sails  11th- Sunday evening's post by Cindy Jacobs Samples of Jean's crafts http://twitter.com/jeanoathout http://facebook.com/jean.oathout     Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 31-day Devotional + my personal story A sample poem p. 31- "Into the grave His body went. He took our sin and shame. It is for this that He was sent; Because of love He came..." (Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Used by permission).  A great gift for someone who may need help to  prepare for marriage, and for those in a  marriage, wanting some helpful advice.