Empowered...

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"The Lord Yahweh empowers me, so I am not humiliated.  For that reason, with holy determination, I will do his will and not be ashamed.  The One who makes me righteous is close to me. Who would dare challenge me now?  Who would be my opponent?  Let him stand before me!  Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!  It is the Lord Yahweh who empowers me; who would condemn me?  My accusers will all fade away like worn-out, moth-eaten clothes."
Isaiah 50:6-9 (The Passion)

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Isn’t it great to be empowered? I looked up the definition of this word; this is what I found:

1. To give power or authority to; authorize, especially by legal or official means.
2. To enable or permit.

After reading this, I said the above verse again in a different way:

The Lord Yahweh gives me power, so I am not humiliated.  For that reason, with holy determination, I will do his will and not be ashamed.  The One who makes me righteous is close to me.  Who would dare challenge me now? Who would be my opponent? Let him stand before me!  Who is my accuser?  Let him confront me!  It is the Lord Yahweh that gives me authority; who would condemn me?  My accusers will all fade away like worn-out, moth-eaten clothes.

I love this! There have been so many times in my life that I did not know or believe that I had direct power from God; consequently, I felt humiliated or ashamed. I did not stand with holy determination against my opponent and accuser. I did not use my authority to stomp him out when I felt condemned.

It’s incredible to think that ALL of God’s children have the power to stand against all obstacles thrown their way.  We have the God-given authority to rise above the condemnation of the enemy. It is something I have learned to practice every day in my mind. This is where the war lives, the pain oozes, the humiliation grows, and the condemnation takes over. As all these things marinate in our minds, the very thoughts we think, we become weak.
How would your life be different if it were lived knowing and believing you have the power?  What would you do today if you absolutely knew that you possessed all authority through Christ Jesus to make that weakness go?  WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
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When I ask myself those questions, I sometimes see how much power I have given to fear. Fear humiliates, fear accuses, condemns, and confronts.  It is only through the empowerment of Holy Spirit that I am able to crush it!  What has taken your power?

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Guest Blogger - Bethany Looyenga

My name is Bethany. I am a friend and devoted follower of Jesus Christ, I love spending time with him and sharing the stories he tells me with others.  I’ve been married for over 36 years and have four sons and one daughter, three daughter in-laws, and seven beautiful grandchildren.  God has blessed me with a ministry, Agape Celebration, we focus on celebrating God through art and bringing woman to a place of understanding their identity through Jesus. I love to write and speak about life experiences and the hope of Jesus.  
Bethany Looyenga
Founder/President
Agape Celebration, Rooted in Mercy 
www.AgapeCelebration.com, www.Rootedinmercy.com
208-297-2480