A Woman Reclaimed and Restored by her Savior

Today as I read my friend, Suzie Eller's words in today's Proverbs 31 Devotion, I could hardly believe they were about me.

Hi! Welcome to my blog...well I'm calling it a blog. As you can see, I haven't blogged in a while. But oh, how I've missed writing on my own blog and so I'm so happy to be visiting with you today.

If you have popped over here from Encouragement For Today (the Proverbs 31 Daily Devotions), welcome! And if you are an old friend, who used to frequent my blog, welcome back!

I was a victim of sexual abuse. I use "was" because today I am no longer a victim, but a victor. That road hasn't been easy, but because of our mighty, wonderful, caring, loving, and healing Lord, I can say that today.

In the devotion today, Suzie Eller talks about God's forgiveness of sins. Read the key verse she references~

"He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."  Titus 2:14  NLT

When I first read this verse, my thought was selfish. This verse is great for when I sin, and I accept God's freedom in forgiveness, but what about for my abuser...that man who sinned and took me as his captive?  But then...read on.

Suzie writes~

We often give thanks for His sacrifice that removed the debt of our sin. But there is more. Jesus took our sins, but that same act freed us from the effect of others' sins upon our hearts and lives. ~ Suzie Eller

Not only am I free from my own sins through the power of Jesus Christ, but I can also find freedom from the sins of others who affected me also.

HELLO!!!! Can I hear a praise God and hallelujah about that!!!

My favorite line from today's devotion by Suzie is this one~

If you were to ask Melissa who she is, would say she doesn't see herself as a woman marked by a thief, but a woman reclaimed and restored by her Savior. ~ Suzie Eller

And she's right. It hasn't been the easiest road, but I'm here to tell about it. There is an unmatched power through Jesus that we cannot find anywhere else. How about you?  I bet you've had trials in your life. Maybe some that even affect you still today. Are you marked by a thief who stole from you or are you reclaimed and restored by your Savior?

Today, why don't we take a step forward towards healing. There is freedom on the other side and we are not meant to live as victims, not with Jesus in our lives we aren't.

Our Turn For Action:

Pray today's key verse today. Pray if for yourself and pray it for anyone who has sinned against you. (I know you might not feel like doing that, I get that completely, but just do it ;)  Then give thanks for the sacrifice Jesus made that removes the debt of our sin and frees us from the effect of other's sins upon us. 

I'm a woman reclaimed and restored by y Savior. How about you?

***Thank you Suzie Eller for sharing my story in your new book, The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.

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