Free!

Good morning!

"I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart.

I will tell of all your wonders."  Psalm 9:1

Some of you know that for years I've been involved in the girls ministry at my church.  It's called Pillars.  Through this ministry, to girls in grades 5-12, I learned about a organization that ministers to women and men trapped in the sex trafficking industry.  In the past couple of years, this ministry has partnered with our church's girls ministry, and my Sunday School class has done projects to help them, and so forth.

As one of the service projects of our church's college ministry, 4 college students and 4 leaders went out last night with this organization, into an area of town where Satan has a stronghold.  (One of the ladies we ministered to said of that area, "That place is demon-possessed.")  While riding around, we had an opportunity to pray for and minister to several people.  Their reactions varied.  It was an intense time of worship, prayer and spiritual warfare.

I want to tell you particularly about a young woman I'll call Aurora.  Last night, she made the decision to step into the safe haven this ministry provided for her.  She chose to come in off of the streets, and make the decision to take her life in a different direction.  Her ears were opened to the message that God loves her.  She chose Jesus's way, to step out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.

Y'all, I don't know where she stands with The Lord this morning.   I don't know if she has responded yet to the gospel message by asking Jesus into her heart as her Savior.  But, I am praying for her, and I ask that you pray for her too, as well as for all the women and men who are in varying stages of being set free from sexual enslavement.  The ministry has a protocol that they strictly follow, and they will take excellent care of her in the coming days, doing everything possible to support her in her decision.

God is doing great things through that ministry.  Over the past few months, almost 150 women have been rescued out of The Life, as they often call it. Please realize that many, many of these women did not willingly choose this life.  They were either kidnapped into it, led into it by their relatives, forced into it by their men...  It is a sordid, degrading way to live.  It is bondage, a type of imprisonment, and those on the front lines are fearful of taking the steps to get out of The Life.  What an ironic name!
Jesus said,

"I am the way, the truth and the life!

No one comes to the Father except through me."

Aurora (the name means "dawn") has seen a new day begin, in this new life of hers.  Praise God with me for deliverance, for the marvelous grace and love of our Savior, who has set her free!  In the Bible (John 8:31-36) Jesus also said,

'If you continue in my word, you really are my followers.  

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. '

The people standing around listening to Jesus replied:

We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.

How can you say, 'You will become free'?

Jesus responded,

"I assure you: everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.

A slave does not remain in the household forever, 

but a son {or daughter} does remain forever.

Therefore, if the Son {Jesus} sets you free

You are free indeed!"

Aurora, 

If you are reading this, these verses are specifically for you today.  Only Jesus can set you free and keep you free.  Let Him wrap His arms of true love around you and make you his own true daughter, forever.  There is no love like Jesus' love, and there is no LIFE like the life He gives.  You are loved, daughter.  Many are praying for you and will continue to pray for you in the coming days.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for Aurora and for the ministry you have raised up for Your service.  Thank you for every one who had a part in Aurora's rescue last night, whether they were on the front lines or whether they had a part in some other way.  Each was obedient to Your call, and because of that, You did a great and mighty work in Aurora's life.  We are so humbled to be used by You, great God!  There is no God like you!  And, only You, Lord Jesus, can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.  

Lord, as Aurora continues to seek You, please open doors for her.  I pray that you will meet her every need, and that you will let her feel you strongly in these coming days.  I pray that she won't look back and be tempted to return to The Life, as it is no life at all but is instead darkness, darkness all around. Help her to remember the truth, that women who accept Jesus and His Life become Your resplendent daughters, just as the name of this blog says.

We praise You, O Lord, for Your marvelous works!  There is truly NO God, like You!

In Jesus' name, amen.