REMOVE IT

How many things are covering who you are?

Dear Current You,

You are seen. God saw you from the beginning of time. He sent Jesus Christ to die for you and rise from the grave on the third day to give you a new life. He sees you where you are right now, and he isn't thrown off. He loves you. He wants a relationship with you. He opens his arms to embrace all of who you are beyond the layers covering the depth you. If you believe this and are willing to leave what you know to follow Christ, please say this prayer out loud.

" Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of God. I believe you came from heaven to earth, died, and rose on the third day for me. I confess you as Lord and Savior. Come into my life. I choose to follow you in the new life you have given me. I believe you love me and have chosen me. Now, I am devoting myself to grow in relationship with you. In Jesus' name. Amen."

I am proud of you.

Sincerely,

The Empowered You

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Title: Naked

By: Niomi Ayoyna Speight

He stripped me bare,

I have nowhere to hide.

Where can I go where my body would not be exposed?

I tried in ambition, the need to be successful to feel loved.

I tried in relationships, hoping a kiss or a hug can wipe the strain of rejection and loneliness.

I tried in friendship, trying to find my worth in the admiration of others.

I tried it in humor, fighting to be the one everyone likes.

However, all of that is

gone.

I am forced to see myself.

Broken,

Helpless,

In need of my Savior to willing accept me as I am.

Scared of not being loved, worthy, failing him.

Yet, he already saw this.

He already knew where I was.

My leaves didn’t cover me nor did the trees hide me.

I am found by him because he stripped himself bare,

displayed his heart to his creation only to be wrung dry of his blood on the cross by their hands.

Yet,

still he rose on the third day with a smile because he saw my nakedness,

saw my brokenness and showed me that his blood will now cover me

and I shall rise like he did from my place of desolation

Clothed in victory.