My Best Yes!

Webster’s dictionary defines “no” this way: “the act of refusing.” How can we prepare to refuse what’s meant for evil? God’s Word tell us in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the

schemes of the devil.

There were many times in my life I just refused to say “no” to the enemy and the temptations he flaunted in my face. We could stop here to analyze why a saved soul from the age of fourteen did that, but let’s just say she fell into a prison she didn’t realize was locked from the inside. That’s the risk we take when we don't allow Christ to lead the choices in our lives. My armor was not on, and I didn’t resist the schemes of the devil.

There came a day, Praise God, when I stood up and pushed open the prison door, said “no” to bondage and “yes” to freedom. That was the best “no” I’ve ever said that was followed by the sweetest “yes” I’ve ever said.

Yes to Jesus my Shepherd.

Yes to rescue.

Yes to a hope and a future.

I realized that Jesus had never left me, and He had never given up on me! I knew His voice. He had been calling me in my darkest days. In that moment of yes, light flooded all around me, and I allowed my Shepherd to take me home on His shoulders, rejoicing that the lost one had been found.

Luke 15:4-6

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

For a long time, I believed I wasn’t worth being found, that I deserved the prison of my own making. That was a lie! I can testify today to that truth with a confidence that can only come through Jesus Christ.

John 10:9

I [Jesus] am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,

and will go in and out and find pasture.

Dear friend, this is freedom. He wants us to come in and go out. He is our door of protection, and He leads us to good pasture. He will always be your best YES! I am so thankful I said “no” to the enemy’s lies and “yes” to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”



Prayer Points:

~ Lord, I praise You for coming to set the captives free. You have done everything that needs to be done for me to walk in freedom. (Luke 4:18; John 10:10)

~ Lord, show us that saying no to the enemy is only possible through your Holy  Spirit. Remind us to wear our armor of God daily so we can stand firm.

~ Father, thank you for saving us from the prisons we make. Thank you for seeking  us and saving us.

~ God, You are good, and You are for us. Any other voice that tells us otherwise is a

lie. Guard our hearts and our minds with Your truth.

Jesus, thank You for seeking me. Thank You for rescuing me. Thank You that You left the ninety-nine to come after me. Your mercy is more than I deserve and more than enough. In light of how You have shown me grace, allow me to extend it to others. May I be a witness of Your goodness and tell those around me of Your salvation. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Sybil Woodlief

Flourish Women’s Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church