We work together with the Holy Spirit to continue to move forward. All of us are going through this journey of life and somewhere along the way we pick up things that are not supposed to be a part of the trip Dealing with the things of our past is definitely one of the biggest struggles Christians face. What is that thing for you, what’s your stronghold?

Stronghold-A prisoner locked by deception living life by something that is not true. Your baggage is not based on a reality it’s based on a lie. You’ll never be free if you live your life based on that lie

Where does baggage come from? 1. An unhealthy view of self If your identity is found in what anyone but God says about you, you will have baggage.

BIV Romans 12:3 Don ’ t have an unhealthy view of yourself but rather be set free from the wrong view of you and let God give you right thinking by being assured of who He is and what He believes about you.

2.Untreated pain Jeremiah 6:14-They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious. Peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace.

3. Unfulfilled expectations

Proverbs 13:12-Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

3. Unfulfilled expectations Part of the problem here is we have an un realistic expectation of this life. We think God is obligated to make earth like heaven. 4. An unresolved yesterday The problem’s not that things happen they will it’s that we delay in repairing. 5. Unrepentant sin

Psalm 32:3-4- When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

What can I expect if I hold onto my baggage? 1. It will become a part of your identity 2. You become defensive about it 3. You become a slave to it What is mastering you?

How do I lay it down? 1. Acknowledge the lie Job 7:11 Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit.

2. Believe the truth Things like... No matter what you’ve said or done God still loves you If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it

2. Believe the truth Things like... No matter what you’ve said or done God still loves you If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it In Christ you are forgiven Many of you, you are in Christ. You have been forgiven, but you have not yet forgiven yourself.

Ephesians 1:7 In Christ, we have the redemption through His blood. We have the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

2. Believe the truth Things like... No matter what you’ve said or done God still loves you If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it In Christ you are forgiven Many of you, you are in Christ. You have been forgiven, but you have not yet forgiven yourself. He wants to restore you

Psalm 71:20-Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

2. Believe the truth Things like... No matter what you’ve said or done God still loves you If God had a refrigerator your picture would be on it In Christ you are forgiven Many of you, you are in Christ. You have been forgiven, but you have not yet forgiven yourself. He wants to restore you No matter your baggage God can restore you. What is it that God wants to restore in your life?

Jeremiah 30:17 “The Lord declares this, ‘but I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”

3. Get rid of excuses You may have something’s you could legitimately blame it on. Always blaming someone else doesn’t help you get out of the mess.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

4. Cut the ties You can’t just come in here and praise God and then go back to the same stuff and experience freedom. Some of you have cut bags in here and then you go out the door and pick them back up again.

1 Corinthians 15:34a-Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. James 4:7-So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

5. Fill the void Once you get rid of something you’re going to need to put something else meaningful in it’s place.

Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

5. Fill the void Once you get rid of something you’re going to need to put something else meaningful in it’s place. Examples The Bible People to hold you accountable If you’re the only person that knows your secret you’re in trouble.

5. Fill the void Once you get rid of something you’re going to need to put something else meaningful in it’s place. Examples The Bible People to hold you accountable If you’re the only person that knows your secret you’re in trouble.

Proverbs 28:13-Whoever conceals their sin does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

5. Fill the void Once you get rid of something you’re going to need to put something else meaningful in it’s place. Examples The Bible People to hold you accountable If you’re the only person that knows your secret you’re in trouble. In small groups we create environments where people can do life together and be set free.