I thought I would never type the words.
But I was wrong.

On May 6th, 2017,
82 more of the Kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls were freed from Boko Haram captivity, in negotiations for Boko Haram soldiers!!!

They were freed in negotiations between Boko Haram, the Government of Switzerland, and the International Red Cross.

Can we just sit in the wonder of those words for a moment?
Too often, my heart jumps to the bad news, or to the things that still must be done.

But we called. JESUS ANSWERED. He has heard every prayer written upon this blog… whether written with a heart full of faith, or one just hanging onto faith by a thread and full of sorrow.

Whether written because, dare I say it, “it’s been the routine way of how I write blogposts,” or if it was really, sincerely meant– written with tears.

As a pastor once said, “It is not the prayer itself, but in whose Hands it is in.” These prayers that so many people have prayed were put into God the Father’s Hands… and He has the authority to speak a word, and bring these captive, oppressed young women into the light of freedom. Do you believe this?

Isn’t that what He has done, for all of us, at one point or another?
Maybe you find yourself in that place of captivity, bondage and oppression, today.

Friend, if there is one thing we can all learn during the celebration of these 82 young women’s freedom, it’s that Jesus wants us to be truly free.

And only He has the authority to do such a thing in a person’s life. Sure, the President of Nigeria, the government of Switzerland and the International Red Cross can do their work in physically freeing these 82 young women, but what about being truly free?
Free from believing lies. Free from the shame, the fear, the anxiety.

There was a dry season in my life toward this blog where I, to horribly admit it, didn’t fully trust or believe that the Chibok girls were going to be freed.
Time went by. Nothing seemed to be happening. And thinking that one day, news Headlines would say what they say today… this underlying belief was hard to hold onto, in certain moments.

I thought truly thought I would never type these words. BUT I HAVE!
May that be an encouragement and a testimony to you:
That you, like these Chibok schoolgirls, can be freed by turning to Jesus Himself.
That, when it seems hopeless, Christ is still moving.
That HE ALONE has the authority to calm the wind and waves… and HE ALONE has the authority to set  you truly free.

As we celebrate these 82 beautiful Chibok girls, let’s be reminded that Jesus Christ is mighty to save, and that HE ALONE gets the glory! 🔹

Do you know Jesus?

There’s no other way to put it.
Only Jesus Christ can truly set a person free. No amount of trying really hard, meditation, medication, romantic love, drugs, partying, food, lack of food, or self-control in and of itself can save a person from themselves, setting them truly free.

He is not here to throw stones at you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17, ESV).

Jesus has paid ALL that you owe– if only You would accept Him and what He has done for You on the cross. Learn more about Jesus, and meet Him, here.

Let us pray for…

• The 163 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls that are now FREE. 
• The Nigerian military, as they continue to participate in these negotiations and rescues of the Chibok girls.
• The Nigerian government; that President Buhari would come to know Jesus, and give HIM all the Glory for what has gone on.
• That Boko Haram would be crushed, so that it’s members can come to know the Truth found only in Jesus Christ. Members were traded for the Chibok girls, so please pray that they do not do any worse damage.
• That the remaining 113 Chibok schoolgirls would be FOUND, soon!

Jesus hears our prayers, friends! Let’s continue to lift up the Chibok girls, and those involved in this insurgency, to Him! ❤