I have been reading the Grace handbook and want to share some of it with you today. I think it will speak to you in ways you can’t even imagine….

An English minister who had an inner city outreach in England said, I minister to the lost, the least, the lonely and the last. Perhaps you have felt this way one time or another…. Well, there is hope because Jesus came just for you!

The spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorble year of the Lord

You see it wasn’t just God’s intention to bring good news, it was his intention not to leave us in a place of loss and defeat. Rather, He has come to enrich our lives more than we could ever imagine. Our Lord has come to tell us truth and that truth will set us free.

The thief comes to only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly

So what really is truth? When we are little, we rely on our parents to tell us the truth. Then as we get older teachers, coaches, mentors, friends but the bible says quite simply, truth is only what God says. So, why is it important for us to know real truth?

Gods says that truth will set you free! Do you feel free? I know I don’t. Perhaps, we are in bondage and have believed lies? Possible? Do you feel as if your world is falling apart around you? Here are a few more questions to ask yourself

Is my life no longer working for me?

Is it possible I have believed a lie/s?

Have I been building my “house” on the wrong foundation?

Am I willing to admit that I need help and that I want help?

The first step is to ask God for his help in building the proper foundation. Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Next, have you built upon your own self- sufficiency?

I know when I became a Christian things seems to become worse instead of better. I now know the reason for that. I brought old things in to my new life. I took God with me but I was calling the shots in what I did and where I went. I still wanted control, my own way. I continued to believe lies such as is this all there is? My dreams won’t come true! God doesn’t work in my life?!

The truth is, you don’t have to wait until you die to experience all of the benefits of life in Christ. Through, salvation you now have a new identity= life=relationship with Jesus=freedom. What you know and believe to be truth actually determines your behavior.

Let’s take a look at the story of the Ugly Duckling by Christian Andersen.

Although hatched in the same nest as the other eggs, this “duckling” looked different. He was big and ugly, not soft and yellow like the other ducklings. No one could understand what was wrong with the ugly duckling- not the Mother duck, not the Rabbit, not the Turkey and not even the Ugly Duckling himself.

Can you imagine what he might have been feeling?

What’s wrong with me?

I am so worthless?

I am such a failure?

I am not measuring up?

The results of such thinking can leave permanent scars… depression, rejection, failure, and more.

But the real “TRUTH” was the Ugly Duckling wasn’t a duck after all. He was a swan. Over the long winter months the duckling had changed. He had become what He really always had been, a swan, beautiful and graceful like all the other swans.

Even though he really believed he was a duckling, was it true? He believed a lie and that affected his behavior. The same goes for us, if we believe a lie we find ourselves in bondage.

If you ask God into your life and really seek him by talking to him, reading real truth ( His Word) and giving him the reigns, your eyes will begin to open for all that He has for you. Our Lord, wants to shower us with his love and his favor. I know it’s scary to let go and trust a God you can’t even physically see but I can tell you from my own experiences, God is there and he is working on your behalf. He wants to show you his goodness. However, there is not room for you and him in your heart. I came that they might have LIFE, and might have it abundantly.