Freedom in Christ

Luke 13:10-17


Freedom. Freedom in Jesus and the life he shares with us. Freedom in God's healing work. Freedom in a world of shackles.

I love that this passage speaks of freedom. It tells us of the freedom found in Jesus amidst a world of rules, regulations, and restrictions. In our society, built by humans, not by God, there are expectations and commandments, things decreed to be right and wrong, good and evil. Some of them align with God's heart, but some of them are vastly different. It can be so hard to go against the grain, to do something of God's will that is not of the world's when we know we will be judged, ridiculed, or even penalized by a world who does not understand the heart of the Father.

In this passage, Jesus felt the freedom to do what he knew aligned with God's heart--heal a woman who was crippled by an evil spirit. That healing, even though it went against society's rules and regulations, was an action that glorified God, not one that went against his will. So let me ask you a question. Where do you prescribe to the world's will instead of God's?

When we speak the confession in Sunday morning worship, we say that we have sinned against God "by what we have done and by what we have left undone." What if Jesus hadn't healed that woman because he was afraid of what the synagogue leaders would think of him or do to him? I think of all the things I could have done in my life to glorify God, all the opportunities God placed in front of me to follow his lead that I didn't take because I was afraid of worldly consequences. Sinning by what I have left undone.

But in Jesus we see the freedom to shake off that fear. In Jesus we have the freedom to step out in God's will and live life as he calls us. And isn't it so freeing to know that we don't have to live according to the rules and restrictions created by a contradicting, imperfect, sinful society? We get to follow the heart of a steady, perfect, ever-loving God who knows exactly what we need and provides it for us.

Reflect:
Where do you follow the world's will instead of God's? Why?
Reflect on the ways that the world binds you yet God frees you. Thank God for this freedom, and pray for continual release from the grip of our broken world.

THE LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD

Reading: I Thes 4:3-12

 

Have you ever wondered, perhaps in frustration, “What is God’s will for my life?” “If I just knew what He wanted me to do, I would do it.” Really? Are you (am I) sure? Are you (am I) ready for the answer?

Read on only if you answered “Yes” to these last questions. This journey is not for the faint-hearted, so hold tight, take a deep breath – off we go!

 

I Thes 4: 3 begins: “For this is the will of God…” Could it be stated any plainer?  OK, now for the answer (drum roll, please, and have pen and paper handy), verse 3 continues: “your sanctification.” What?! Wait – that’s it, one word is all I get to base life’s decisions on?!!!

 

So, if sanctification is the word, maybe we ought to delve into it and see what God might want for us.  Sanctify: “to set apart for a particular holy or sacred use intended by its designer.” “A person then is sanctified when he or she lives according to God’s design and purpose”* Verse 3 of I Thes adds to the definition. “…that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

 

Why is sexual sin the only one mentioned here in reference to sanctification? Maybe it’s as Paul says in I Cor 6:18: “Avoid sexual looseness like the plague! Every other sin that a man [or woman] commits is done outside his [her] own body, but this is an offense against his [her] own body (J B Phillips).” So it hits at the core of who we are as men and women, and, if we are able to live victoriously in this area of our lives, we will have come closer to living a sanctified life – in the will of God – in other areas. 

 

As in today’s reading, God specifically tells us in many other places in His Word what His will is for us. Often it’s not so much a matter of knowing but doing what we know His will to be. Then, to ask ourselves, in matters where He does not specify, “Is this pleasing to God?” might just lead us to the answer, “What’s God’s will for my life?”

 

Thank you, Lord that you show me in many ways your will for my life. Help me to seek to do your will and lead a life that is pleasing to you. Amen.

 

 

 

*from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – online

No Question About It

What to Do When...Everyone is counting on you.

Have you ever felt as though the famous words from the book of Esther, "And who know but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this," were speaking directly to you? (Esther 4:14) Have you been privileged to know that you are right where God wants you to be and He is going to use you in that place?

Often I question if I am doing God's will. I wonder if I heard His answer correctly or did I just do the easy thing? But, when I have prayed diligently and have asked my three faithful prayer warriors to help me discern God's will and not mine, there is a peace in my heart.

Many times in our lives, we feel overwhelmed, under the gun (so to speak) and poised to take on the world. When we have turned to God in prayer, seeking His will and His way, there will be a certainty in your Spirit. There have only been a few times in my life when I knew I was right where God wanted me. What joy!

Queen Esther must have felt similar joy once her battle was won. To have arrived in the palace, to have defeated a hateful enemy and to have saved her people...She was certainly right where God wanted her to be. She was firmly planted in the middle of His will. All this, after praying and fasting in a quest for God's will to be made known. 


Esther 8-9

It's Not About The Money, Money, Money

18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. -Mark 4:18-19

Last week I highlighted this passage and talked about how scripture should be our highest authority.  It should be the first thing we go to when trying to discern God’s will for our lives.

What are some things that get in our way from allowing scripture to take root.  Our passage today mentions some things such as the worries of life, the desire for other things, and what I want to highlight today is, “the deceitfulness of wealth”.

How can wealth be deceptive.  It gives us a false sense of security.  If we have wealth we tend to think we can control whatever comes our way.  

Scripture warns against this ideology. Our passage today says that if we are deceived by our wealth, scripture will be unfruitful in our lives.

Having wealth is not a sin.  Placing our security in wealth rather than God, is.  Don’t let anything hinder your walk with God.  Put your trust in him and not your bank account.  Look for peace in the pages of the bible rather than the bottom line of your retirement plan.  And instead of following the money trail, let the word of God guide you.

Read today entire passage here. Mark 4:15-20

Acts 18:18-23

We have been created by God with free will.  Just what does that mean?  I can do what ever I choose to do if it is good for me or not; if it is helpful or wicked--it is my choice.  So then why do we blame God when life gets messy? Why do we blame others...anyone but ourselves, when we get into big trouble?

I also call this 'me' will.  I am only concerned with today, with my satisfaction right here and now.  Me will is living my life as I want and it is very common to witness others act this way.

As Christians we have free will.  Having learned following Jesus the most profitable way to live, asking for God's will is still another way to live out life.  I have found when I pray for God's will and am truly open to receiving it even if it isn't what I would want, I am blessed.  Praying for God's will shows the depth of my faith.  I believe God wants only the best for me and my faith is shown every time I ask for God's will to prevail.

Acts 18:19-21 (NIV)
They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.  When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 

We can tell from these readings telling of Paul's missionary journey, just how much Paul loved God's people.  When he promised to come back if it were God's will, he meant it.  Is your faith that deep?  I pray and yours and mine is.




Read Acts 18:18-23 in NIV or MSG here.

Does God Ever Ask Too Much?

Reading over today’s passage, I am drawn to not only reflect on God’s words to Joseph but I am also pondering times when God has given me opportunities to trust him. He often calls me into amazing experiences that require considerable amounts of faith.

What does it mean to trust? I wrote an acrostic for the word Trust. I think it fits how God wants us to respond to his request of faith. Think of trust this way, Taking reliable unwavering steps together.

Let’s unpack this. God will ask us to go against popular opinion. He will call us to walk into the unknown with only the knowledge that He wants us to go. God will require some of us to speak when we don’t yet have the words, or serve in areas where we are weak.

He wants us to take these steps with unwavering confidence that He is reliable. Why in the world would we do this? For the same reason Joseph woke up from his dream and, with God’s words still ringing in his ear, “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him”. He did it because he knew God would be with him.

God calls us to do wonderfully difficult things, relying totally on his guidance, words, and strength and we do it because we know that we do it together. God doesn’t leave us on our own; rather He uses our vulnerable state to show his amazing trustworthy power.

Read today's entire passage at Biblegateway Matthew 1:18-25

You Can Run, But You Can't Hide Genesis 38

Have you ever run from one problem only to fall into another? Too often our human nature reacts with desertion rather than contend with what is happening. I am blessed to be married to a man who is not afraid to deal with issues. It can be exhausting and at times I still like to fool myself into believing that if I ignore certain issues they will go away, but the reality is they will rear their ugly head in another area of my life.

In today’s passage we see Judah, after selling his brother into slavery, running from one set of family problems straight into another. Instead of confronting his brothers and doing the right thing, Judah leaves and settles away from his family. He then finds a wife for his oldest son and we see that Judah can no more control is sons than he can his brothers.

Running from our troubles will not fix anything. Rather, if we seek God’s will and live according to his word, we can get through the rough times with healing and integrity. It won’t be the easy way out, but it will be the right way. When we deal with our areas of struggle, and often times weakness, the next time we are faced with them we will see that either, they aren’t so bad or we will know with confidence that God can get us through again.

 

Read the entire passage on Biblegateway Genesis 39

Faith Checkup -- Matthew 1:18-25

Mary Had to know her surrender to God's plan would be a huge sacrifice. At the least, she could be shamed as an unwed mother. Joseph could divorce her, or worse have her stoned to death.

Joseph considered quietly divorcing Mary as a way out and also to protect her. But Joseph listened to God's plan. He married Mary.

Joseph and Mary probably didn't consider or even imagine the extent of their personal or their son's future suffering. The strength of their faith caused them both to submit to God's plan without question.

Today's text prompts me to take a pause to see if my faith is in step with where it should be. It's like spring cleaning. What needs to be sorted out, thrown away, or dusted off? What needs to be saved, protected, and cherished? What will bring me closer to God and His plan for my life?

Prayer: Lord God, I thank You and Praise You for the many blessings You have given me. Forgive me for the times I have ignored what You want me to do. Forgive me for the times I have gotten so overwhelmed with things and have forgotten Your presence. Give me wisdom and direction to reevaluate my priorities to honor You with my time. Amen

We would like to hear your thoughts. Click on Comments below.

Read today's text on Biblegateway, Matthew 1:18-25

What are you Doing Today? Romans 15:23-33

As a teenager I knew I wanted to participate in foreign mission activities. I studied my Bible, went to talks given by missionaries, and became pen pals to several missionaries. Through the years, opportunities to actually go on a mission trip never materialized. I don't know when it happened, but I realized God was not calling me to serve in the mission field. He changed the desire of my heart by making me aware of other things He wanted me to do. Knowing this helped me get onto the path He had planned for my life.

Paul yearned to go to Rome. He would see His fellow Christians, fellowship with them, and encourage them in their faith. Being with them would be very pleasing and refreshing to Paul. God, however, had work for Paul elsewhere. He was needed to be a messenger of charity for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. Paul, without question, reset his priorities to do the will of God first. He would go to Rome, but the trip was planned for later.

Paul knew that his life, his joy, depended on the will of God, "so that by God's will I may come to you with joy." (v. 32a)

Prayer
Lord, help me make it my heart's desire to please you in what I do today and every day. Help me reset my priorities to get onto the path you have laid out for me today, and for the rest of my life. Amen

Read text on Biblegateway - Romans 15:23-33