Tag Archives: Mary Mary

Let Nothing Entangle

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

This morning I cut back fern fronds and philodendron vines which surround snake plants, and noticed something that shouldn’t have surprised me, but did.

The dead fronds and vines entangled several of the snake plant leaves, pulling them down to their level, and keeping the snake plant from reaching to the sky. I thought the leaves were strong enough to fight against the things pulling them down, but they weren’t.

As I cut away the dead, I released the living.

While I thought about my plants, I thought about our lives.

Sometimes the fronds and vines of life which used to be alive and thriving shrivel and die. If we aren’t careful, those dying things can entangle us, and pull us down to their level. They can keep us from reaching the sky and our full potential.

The things that entangle can be lies; our lies, or the lies of others. Past hurts and unforgiveness can drag us down. Carrying the burden of slavery to sin keeps us from reaching our potential.

How can we move forward if we’re always looking behind us?

Fortunately, just as I was able to cut away the dead that entangled my plants, Jesus Christ is able to cut away the dead in our lives that entangles and keeps us from reaching our full potential through his power. He is the One who removes the shackles Satan loves to entangle us with.

So, who’s with me? Let’s take those shackles off our feet so we can dance, and praise the Gardener who lovingly snips away the dead to release the living.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1 (MSG)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Take Those Shackles Off

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There are times we allow things to hold us back. Shackles, if you will.

You know what I’m saying?

We allow the times we’ve messed up to make us feel unworthy of God’s love.

We allow our stiff-necked attitudes to keep us from softening our hearts towards others.

We allow Satan’s lies of doubt, discouragement and defeat to take root.

We allow our pride to get puffed up and out of control.

We allow our tongue to get away from us and inflict serious damage.

We put up a false front – facade – so no one will see the pain deep inside.

We allow stuff to hold us back from becoming the person we were created in God’s image to become. We put self-imposed road blocks in the way of the Holy Spirit’s working in us. The shackles bind and restrict, yet we falsely believe we will never break free.

We get beat down over and over and over by life events and it becomes difficult to stand back up. One thing right smack dab after another. We’re bound by chains that remind us of everything that’s gone wrong, which keeps us from lifting our hands in praise to Jesus for everything that’s gone right.

But you know what?

It’s in the praising we release those shackles that bind and hurt. It’s in the praising we send the devil running. It’s in the praising we glorify God.

It might not come easy at first.

No.

Let me rephrase that … it does not come easy at first. It takes repeated practice. But that’s where Jesus comes in with the key that unlocks our hurts, pains, suffering and sorrow.

He never promised that those who followed him would live a life free of pain, on the contrary, he said his followers would have trouble in this world, but to be encouraged, because he overcame the world.

Got some shackles that are binding and restricting you from being the person you were created to be? Might I suggest you Praise Him?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and a light shone in the cell. The angel shook Peter by the shoulder, woke him up, and said, “Hurry! Get up!” At once the chains fell off Peter’s hands. Acts 12:7 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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