SOZO

SOZO:

Definition:
1. to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
a. one (from injury or peril)
b. to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health

2. to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
a. to save in the technical biblical sense

b. to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment
c. to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance

I love the picture above... It speaks so loud to me... From where I have been, to where I am going... The sun is coming up and the darkness is fleeing... Coming out of the darkness and into the Light... Thank You my Lord and Savior...

June 23, 2004 the Lord saved and delivered me... Before this date, I was at my absolute lowest... I had lost almost everything, including my life and at the very least my mind... I call this day my blessed day of desperation... Because, it was there that I really cried out to the Lord to help me and to save me...

You name it... I have done it or it has happened to me... I come from a background of childhood victimization... (unfortunately, that is starting to become the norm.) Everyone has a story... Jesus changed mine...

I did not realize the shame and pain I walked around with most of my life... I masked it by laughing at everything, going to parties and never being alone... I was always trying to find a guy that would fill that empty place in me...

I had prayed in 95' to ask Jesus into my heart... But, I still had one foot in the world.. Then about a 2 years later something very traumatic happened in my life... I still haven't wrapped my brain around it... But, instead of turning to God, I turned to pills and alcohol... The pain was so great, I just wanted to be numb... I really did not know that the Lord could help me through this, so I went down my own path...

So after years of living this way and not wanting to, but not knowing how to stop... I cried out to the Lord... Anyone who knew me at the time knows how deep and dark a time it was... And knew that I was either going to die, or a miracle would have to take place...

I was sitting in an apartment, with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other... I was looking up in the sky and talking to the Lord... I told HIM that I wanted to stop, but that I couldn't... There was NOTHING in me that could stop... I cried out to HIM and asked Him to please help me... That night, (while drinking and smoking), I was watching Christian television and they were leading people in the prayer of salvation... I had already prayed it before, but I prayed it again, and told the Lord that I was re-dedicating my life to HIM... On June 23, 2004 the Lord INSTANTLY delivered me from all the alcohol, pills, drugs, and cigarettes... (Instantly!)

My life has been soooo amazing since then... Don't get me wrong here... IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY... Anyone who tells you that your life will just be "Hunky-Dory" after you accept Jesus into your heart, is not telling the WHOLE truth... It is one thing to accept HIM as Savior, it is quite another to accept HIM as Lord... It involves dying to self, and not doing things my way, putting others first, forgiveness (from the heart), HE says: If you love Me, you will obey Me... One of my friends says: "Christianity is NOT for wimps." That is the Truth! Sister! But, when I am weak, HE is strong!

Anyway - this does not even scratch, the scratch of the scratch, on the surface: of where I have been or what HE has done in my life... But, I just wanted to share... Maybe, it will be an encouragement to someone or for someone who has somebody in their life going through the same struggle...

Thank You Lord! I praise Your Holy Name!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.