15 “I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me.5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing. John 15:1-5 NCV
12 As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Hebrews 12:1 GNT
I was a personal trainer for over two and a half decades. One of the techniques we used in strength and endurance training was to move with weights strapped to our bodies. When training for a Tahitian workout, we used weight belts strapped to our hips. At first, it would feel like a small child was wrapped around your lower body. You could hardly move. But with persistence and perseverance, it would get better (not necessarily easier) with each subsequent attempt.
Movement with the weight made us stronger, however, it did slow us down. After an hour of rigorous movement with the weight, once we stripped it off of our bodies, we felt the weight of the world suddenly come off and we were instantly released to move with freedom.
Are you walking through life with a weight strapped to you? Perhaps it is unnecessary weight that the Lord is calling you to shed so that you can step forward into your next adventure with Him. Maybe it’s a factor in your lifestyle, or people you are hanging around, or habits that are unhealthy, or choices that you are repeatedly making. The Lord will bring these to the surface, but we have to be willing to see them as He reveals them.
Come take a break to listen to Pastor Steven Furtick about this very important call to let go of what is holding us back. You will be blessed, Sister.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Pastor Steven Furtick for this.
Titus Two 