Celebrate Freedom
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
After being kidnapped, held hostage for thirteen days, and released, New Zealand news cameraman Olaf Wiig, with a broad smile on his face, announced, “I feel more alive now than I have in my entire life.”
For reasons difficult to understand, being freed is more exhilarating than being free.
For those who enjoy freedom every day, Olaf’s joy was a good reminder of how easily we forget how blessed we are. This is also true spiritually. Those of us who have been Christians for a long time often forget what it’s like to be held hostage by sin. We can become complacent and even ungrateful. But then God sends a reminder in the form of a new believer who gives an exuberant testimony of what God has done in his or her life, and once again we see the joy that is ours when we are “free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).
If freedom has become boring to you, or if you tend to focus on what you can’t do, consider this: Not only are you no longer a slave to sin, but you are freed to be holy and to enjoy eternal life with Christ Jesus! (6:22).
Celebrate your freedom in Christ by taking the time to thank God for the things you are able and free to do as His servant.
We have so much to be grateful for on this beautiful 4th of July day. As I read this I felt it was a great reminder, let’s take time today to celebrate our freedom and remember how blessed we truly are.
Happy 4th of July!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 6:15-23
The Promise of God
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
Today, everyone is looking for peace. We want our desires fulfilled and we think that will bring us happiness. We hear promises of fulfillment on radios, see promises on billboards, become a part of them through television and after hearing these promises enough times, we sing about them and make daily choices because of them. What is the primary message that these slogans promote? The answer, “We’ve got what you need.” Promises, promises! Promises of a fulfilled life, an improved life, a happier life and a more peaceful life suggest that this life is attainable through the things of this world. Commercials promise that you can “have it your way,” “we do it all for you,” “you asked for it, you got it,” and “you deserve it.” But can these promises really be true? And will these products bring us the peace we are all seeking?
Because of the inability to have these promises truly fulfilled from the world, it then seems hard to believe that all the promises from the Lord will come true. Unlike the promises of the world that are conditioned upon our spending money and time to benefit from their product, Jesus has given us the promises of God, which are free. The Lord does require something from us: our trust, belief and obedience. And in return He promises peace to His people. Our attitudes, goals and desires should not depend on the promises of the world, but on the promises of the Word. It’s that peace that makes us different and gives us something that others want. That peace will affect the way we live in our actions, behaviors and attitudes. Acts 10:36 says, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)” Jesus promises us peace, not from this world, but from Him. His promises are not empty slogans but a way of life: for He is the way, the truth and the life.
Do you need to experience His peace today? If so, begin by asking Jesus to fill you with His loving peace. His promises will never fail you.
When I read this the key part that stood out to me was, Our attitudes, goals and desires should not depend on the promises of the world, but on the promises of the Word. What truth!! May we live our lives each and every day by the promises of the word and not the world.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Philippians 4:7-9
Rhythms of Grace
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
A friend and his wife, now in their early nineties and married for sixty-six years, wrote their family history for their children, grandchildren, and generations to come. The final chapter, “A Letter from Mom and Dad,” contains important life-lessons they’ve learned. One caused me to pause and take inventory of my own life: “If you find that Christianity exhausts you, draining you of your energy, then you are practicing religion rather than enjoying a relationship with Jesus Christ. Your walk with the Lord will not make you weary; it will invigorate you, restore your strength, and energize your life” (Matt. 11:28–29).
Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of Jesus’s invitation in this passage begins, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? . . . Walk with me and work with me. . . . Learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (The Message).
When I think that serving God is all up to me, I’ve begun working for Him instead of walking with Him. There is a vital difference. If I’m not walking with Christ, my spirit becomes dry and brittle. People are annoyances, not fellow humans created in God’s image. Nothing seems right.
When I sense that I’m practicing religion instead of enjoying a relationship with Jesus, it’s time to lay the burden down and walk with Him in His “unforced rhythms of grace.”
Lord Jesus, I come to You today to exchange my frenzied work for Your pathway of grace. Amen.
When I read this I instantly thought what simple truth and yet so powerful. Often times we can get so busy working for Christ that we forget we are no longer walking with Him and enjoying a relationship with Him. I needed to be reminded of this, I don’t want to become so busy that my spirit becomes dry and brittle. I can honestly say I can sense it in a day in my attitude when I haven’t stopped to talk with God and make time for Him. The instant I do those things that may have irritated me or frustrated me don’t seem so big or important anymore. Let’s make time today to walk with Him, stop what you are doing and just talk to Him, He longs to hear from you and talk to you. Let’s slow down and remember Jesus wants us to walk with Him.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading Matthew 11:25-30
Looking for Love
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
There is a chorus of a song that says, “Looking for love in all the wrong places, looking for love in too many faces.” Funny how true that is. We each have an innate desire to be loved and accepted just the way we are. We long for others to be kind, caring and selfless. We look for this kind of love from our families, friends and even neighbors, believing that we are giving this kind of love so others should give it back. However, the harder we look and the more we seek, the more discouraged and heartbroken we become. Why? Because we are looking for love in all the wrong places and in too many faces.
God is love. Love comes from God. If we are going to talk about love, look for love and try to love others, we need to learn from the Creator of love. Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus laid down His life for us. He was willing to take on the form of a man and then lower Himself to the role of a servant to express His perfect love. The right place to look for love is at the cross and the only “face” that truly expresses love is Jesus’.
Jesus loves you. There is nothing you can do to receive more of His love and there is no sin so great that you can lessen His love for you. His love is constant. It is funny that we look for love, but when we find it, it is a hard thing to accept. Ask the Lord to open your heart today to be able to receive His love for you. Rest in His love and seek His face. Fill that void in your heart by knowing the true essence of Love. Then, instead of you looking for love in the faces of others, others will find it when they see Christ reflected in yours.
When I read this I thought about a saying I had read. It said, The best way to find love is to find God! He is The Way, The Truth and The Life! Today, lets strive to reflect Christ and His love.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is John 15:13-17
God’s Time
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)
Time is an amazing concept. We can only understand time by how we experience it and how it applies to our lives. Our lives revolve around a 24 hour day, 7 day week, 4 week month, and 12 month year, give or take a few days. We measure time in increments by celebrating markers such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. We discuss time in terms of how fast or how slow it passes. We know that time is moving but we cannot see it, so we watch the sun rise and set, and we keep track of time with our watches and clocks. Our entire life is one constant span of time, uniquely purposed by God for each one of us.
Peter writes to tell us one more truth about time: God’s idea of time is not the same as ours. We understand time as a constant, linear progression but God sees time without boundaries, limits or schedules. Can you imagine one day being as a thousand years, or vice versa? The Lord’s definition of time does not fit into our neat box of calendars, clocks and sunsets..
As Christians, we must learn to live in God’s timeline. We must surrender to His timing in all things. And we must be careful not to think that we have control over time, even our own. 2 Peter 3:10 says it best: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” There is a day coming when this earth will burn and those of us in Christ will be safe with Him. For those not in Christ, they will spend eternity forever separated from Him in a terrible place called Hell. God is waiting even now just for one more person to come to Him, before it is too late. One day could take a thousand years to complete, or a thousand years could be as one day, and then time is up. Is there time for one more person to come to Jesus? Only God knows; and that is why our time here on earth is precious.
Maybe you know someone who needs to come to Jesus. Maybe the Lord has been telling you to share His message with them, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe time is running out and this may be their last chance. Do not let time pass by carelessly. One day the Lord will say to Jesus that time is up for people on earth. Are you ready for that time?
When I read this I thought, everyone knows someone who needs to come to Jesus. May we take advantage of today, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Let us not pass up an opportunity to lead someone to Christ.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 10:9-11
Power in Weakness
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Are you feeling weak or powerless? If so, then take comfort from God’s words to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9. In this verse and the surrounding passage which speaks of Paul’s so-called “thorn in the flesh” are several valuable lessons for Christians:
1. We are inadequate to face the difficulties of life on our own. Therefore, we need God’s help and his resources.
2. Human limitations and weaknesses provide perfect opportunities to experience the love and power of God. Therefore, we should call on the Lord in our time of need.
3. God’s grace is more than enough to meet every challenge that we face. His resources are unlimited.
Far too often when we feel weak or powerless we respond with fear, anger, despair, and/or desperation. Yet, this verse reminds us that God is an endless source of strength. No problem that we face is too great for him to solve. When we feel overwhelmed by our problems, we are in a perfect position to experience the salvation of the Lord who gives power to the weak and help to those in need.
Paul went on to say, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10).
Paul had the proper perspective. God’s presence in his life transformed the negative situations into occasions for praise. We too can praise God in the midst of trouble because God is greater than our problems and he will give us the grace and power to deal with them.
After reading this today I pray we walk away with strength in knowing that God is indeed greater than our problems. Remind yourself of that every time you start to feel weak or powerless and you start to respond with fear, anger, despair, and/or desperation. He is greater!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Playing in Concert
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. (Romans 12:5-6)
During our granddaughter’s school band concert, I was impressed by how well this group of 11- and 12-year-olds played together. If each of them had wanted to be a solo performer, they could not have achieved individually what the band did collectively. The woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections all played their parts and the result was beautiful music!
To the followers of Jesus in Rome, Paul wrote, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith” (Rom. 12:5–6). Among the gifts Paul mentioned are prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy (vv. 7–8). Each gift is to be exercised freely for the good of all (1 Cor. 12:7).
One definition of in concert is “agreement in design or plan; combined action; harmony or accord.” That’s the Lord’s plan for us as His children through faith in Jesus Christ. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (v. 10). The goal is cooperation, not competition.
In a sense, we are “on stage” before a watching and listening world every day. There are no soloists in God’s concert band, but every instrument is essential. The music is best when we each play our part in unity with others.
Lord, You are the Conductor of our lives. We want to play Your song of love and grace in concert with Your children today. Amen.
This blessed me when I read it. What a fantastic way to describe being one body in Christ and the importance, the music is indeed best when we each play our part in unity with others.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 12:3-8
The Bond of Peace
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
After I confronted my friend by email over a matter on which we had differed, she didn’t respond. Had I overstepped? I didn’t want to worsen the situation by pestering her, but neither did I want to leave things unresolved before she went on a trip overseas. As she popped into my mind throughout the following days, I prayed for her, unsure of the way forward. Then one morning I went for a walk in our local park and saw her, pain etched on her face as she glimpsed me. “Thank You, Lord, that I can talk to her,” I breathed as I approached her with a welcoming smile. We talked openly and were able to resolve matters.
Sometimes when hurt or silence intrudes on our relationships, mending them seems out of our control. But as the apostle Paul says in his letter to the church at Ephesus, we are called to work for peace and unity through God’s Spirit, donning the garments of gentleness, humility, and patience as we seek God’s healing in our relationships. The Lord yearns for us to be united, and through His Spirit He can bring His people together—even unexpectedly when we go walking in the park.
Have you experienced an unexpected encounter that revealed God working in a situation? How might you work toward peace and unity today?
When I read this I couldn’t help but think this was meant for me and I pray someone out there is touched as I was. Just today I said to my husband, I just can’t forget what they did and how they chose to handle the situation and my husband’s wise response was, is the frustration and hurt you are harboring in your heart worth missing eternity over and I started to cry, no one or thing or hurt is worth missing eternity over. Then I sit down after a busy day to do the devotion and God drops this right in my lap. So as I face this individual I will choose to work for peace and unity through God’s Spirit, not my own doing, donning the garments of gentleness, humility, and patience as I seek God’s healing in my relationships. My prayer today is that someone reading this can also find closure in a situation and rise above it.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Ephesians 4:1-6
Sharing a Cup of Comfort
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:7)
A friend mailed me some of her homemade pottery. Upon opening the box, I discovered the precious items had been damaged during their journey. One of the cups had shattered into a few large pieces, a jumble of shards, and clumps of clay dust. After my husband glued the broken mess back together, I displayed the beautifully blemished cup on a shelf.
Like that pieced-together pottery, I have scars that prove I can still stand strong after the difficult times God’s brought me through. That cup of comfort reminds me that sharing how the Lord has worked in and through my life can help others during their times of suffering.
The apostle Paul praises God because He is the “The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). The Lord uses our trials and sufferings to make us more like Him. His comfort in our troubles equips us to encourage others as we share what He did for us during our time of need (v. 4).
As we reflect on Christ’s suffering, we can be inspired to persevere in the midst of our own pain, trusting that God uses our experiences to strengthen us and others toward patient endurance (vv. 5–7). Like Paul, we can be comforted in knowing that the Lord redeems our trials for His glory. We can share His cups of comfort and bring reassuring hope to the hurting.
Lord, thank You for using us to provide comfort, encouragement, and hope to others who are suffering. We praise You for all You’ve done, are doing, and will continue to do to comfort us through our own afflictions. Amen
As I read this I thought about a recent trial I just went through, during the trial it was uncomfortable but with prayer and God’s help I came through it victoriously. The unknown can eat at you if you allow it and the enemy will try to whisper lies of defeat into your ear but if we would just stop and take a moment to grasp the truth behind today’s devotion, we can be comforted in knowing that the Lord redeems our trials for His glory! What truth!! So even if your going through something today just remember, your going through and your not meant to stay but to keep pushing on to the other side and in return you never know who’s life you will impact because of what you’ve gone through. Praise Him through the storm.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Who is God to you?
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3:12)
Do you ever think you can figure God out? I mean, there are certain prayers that He should answer just the way you asked it. After all, I am his child and He only desires what’s best for me and I know what’s best. So I give God options of how He should answer my prayers. And through the years, I have noticed common themes of how I pray. My prayers always include peace, joy, comfort, safety, ease, love and happiness–or making all of the green lights. But my prayers never include things that bring pain, suffering, confusion, hurt or tears. Don’t we all tend to pray for the good things because that is what is best for us?
There is a modern day parable about a man during a flood. He prayed, “God, protect me. I have faithfully served You for all these years and You have always kept me safe in this house.” What he was really praying was, “Save me my way.” Well, the rains came down and the water rose and rose. Radio warnings were blaring to evacuate homes. His neighbors all left. He didn’t, he just kept praying. A county sheriff came by and said, “Hey, leave!” but he said, “No, I know the Lord will protect me and I’m staying in this house.” The water got higher and this time, the Coast Guard came out. But the man still refused to go. As the water rose, the man sat on his roof, determined not to leave his home. A helicopter came by and said, “Sir please come with me, I’m here to save you.” The man said, “No, only God will save me and I’m staying.” Well, the man drowned and now, he is standing in heaven. The man said to God, “What happened? I thought you were going to save me.” God responded, “Well, I sent the police, a boat and helicopter. What else did you want?”
This man’s concept of what God should do for him and what God would do for him was very different. He didn’t like God’s options. Sometimes what we want God’s will to be for us, and what it really is, brings us conflict. We want to serve God our way, please God our way and live for God our way. God says He protects us, so we expect protection to come our way too. Today, submit to the Lord’s leading in your life. He knows what is best. Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to His will and that you can be willing to do things His way. The end result just might reveal heavenly things to you.
When I read this I instantly thought about what was preached in church yesterday. Instead of going to God every time asking for something, let’s take time to just say Thank You and entrust everything else in our lives in His hands and be willing to do things His way, not our own.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 55:8-9