GOD

Okay, so let me begin by telling you a little bit of background.  God gave me a dream or vision about fifteen years ago.  It was of me speaking on a big stage, kind of like the Women of Faith stage.  And I was praying with the women there.

Since that time, God has never let me forget it.  You know what they say, God puts the seeds in your heart so you will want what He wants. He has used people to speak words over my life and to give direction. He told me that, “if I write it down, the speaking will come”.  So I started writing about my life.  About being abused in every way, about your church family judging and letting you down, about being a pregnant teenager, about being divorced, about doing things your own way instead of God’s way. And finally, about having chains broken and being freed up to do what God has planned for me to do.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He has planned in advance for us to do.”

So here’s the thing. I thought the book was for public consumption.  But it’s not.  The book was very healing and cathartic for me personally.  I was freed up quite a bit from the writing and remembering.  Nope, my job is to speak to women so they will get free from the chains that may be binding them and stopping their Kingdom work.  To teens so they will not make the same mistakes and bad choices I did.

But the best part is, it’s to foil the devil’s plan.  We have women walking around in churches who are ashamed and bound by those chains.  Maybe it was something they did and they feel as if no one could possibly love or support them because of this terrible thing.  Maybe it’s because of something that was done TO them.  That carries heavy chains and heavy guilt as well.

And let’s be honest.  We just don’t talk about things like this in church.  It’s taboo and has been for quite a long time.  I remember not being able to talk about the things happening in my family… my parents grew up in the generation that just swept things under the rug and stayed mired in it… that’s just what they did.  So it passes on down.

The devil has a plan.  If he can keep these things under wraps, if he can keep us isolated and thinking that we are unlovable because of these things, he wins!  He stops us from doing what God has called us to do.

I believe and have been shown that now is the time, NOW is the time to free women up so they can free up others in turn.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB says, “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in^[a]any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” I find this a bit wordy and confusing, but God gave me this verse about a week after the dream.

In The Message it says, ”

^3-5 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”

So that’s just what my God-given ministry is about.  Is it scary to walk out on the water, to step out in faith?  You bet your boots it is!  But it’s not mine and was never meant to belong to me, it’s God’s ministry and God’s vision.

So my new and improved understanding of “if you write it the speaking will come” is this blog.  It’s not specifically about my personal story, but at times I will need to include a piece here and there.  It’s about encouraging women.  about getting them to see how very much God loves them and they are accepted just like they are. Maybe to give them the courage speak up to someone they trust;  a pastor, a Godly friend, maybe even reach out to me.

Why the name Bride Linda Kay you ask?  Because we are all the bride of Christ.  The beloved.  The chosen ones.  I recently heard Christine Caine talk about how very personal those words are to Christ – how the Greek words are very possessive and protective.  And that’s what I want these women to see… there is no condemnation or shame in Christ!  He loves us dearly and protectively and posessively… just like a husband should.  And He’s always on our side!

And it’s our job to be getting ready for the groom.  Getting chains broken, learning about God and ridding ourselves of the guilt and shame of life.  How do we do that?  Bring it to Jesus!  He will comfort and heal you!  He will give you “peace that surpasses ALL comprehension and understanding!

Romans 9:25  The Message

I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies;
    I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved.
In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!”
    they’re calling you “God’s living children.”

So with that, I hope you take heart knowing that you beloved.  And I hope this blog brings you peace and encouragement and freedom!

XOXO LindaKay