Free?

 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  Romans 6:22

We have been made free from sin. When we are saved, we are set free! My question is, do we believe it? We are set apart for God's purpose and for the glorious day of heaven. We have God who has redeemed us and wants to use us.  Too many times, we allow our own self-doubt and fear to hold us down and keep us from doing what God has called us and set us apart to do. He put his Spirit in us to give us power to walk in the Spirit. He wants us to do His will. Fear keeps us from moving in the freedom he gave us.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

I knew a lady that every time I saw her, she would ask for prayers that God would forgive her. She didn't trust or believe that he could or would forgive her no matter how many times it was explained to her. We may accept forgiveness, be baptized and filled with the Spirit, but if we walk in doubt and fear we are denying his power. We need to move out of the fear and into the faith that God has planted in us.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Romans 12:1‭-‬3 KJV

God is wanting our mind to be transformed and proving his will. We cannot do that if we have fear and doubt dominating our mind.  We need to place all our faith and trust in Him. It what he asks, our trust. With that trust comes peace of mind and trusting Him that becomes unwavering. 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 KJV

The peace of God will keep our hearts and minds, even when what we see in the physical doesn't make sense. He  will be with his people. He does not disappoint us. Fear makes us think he does, but he does not disappoint.  We need to walk in this faith and in his Spirit.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 KJV

Walking in the Spirit is seeing God as our Father, our Guide, our Protector,  our Savior,  our Friend, and on and on.  We can rely on him to walk before us, prepare the way, and the way of escape when needed. He is already working for our good. 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV

We need to believe we have the freedom to walk in His Spirit and in the calling he placed in us. We cannot let fear and doubt continue to hinder His will and His work. We have access to the power of Almighty God. We have the King of kings on our side. What have we to fear?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 KJV

We are free indeed and do not need to be entangled  with the past sins or any other thing that brings forth fear and separation from God. His work is done in us. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

The powers of this world are intent on destroying the Body of Christ, and keeping us from God. We need to stand in the liberty we have in Christ. We need to get hold of this and rise up against the enemy of our soul and say, 'No more!' We are not subject to his authority any longer, we are servants of the Most High, and His alone. We do not have to hide or worry over whether we are his. We know that His Spirit is in us, we have the authority to use it. It is high time God's people rise in the liberty and power of the Holy Spirit and take back what we have given up. No longer are we condemned, but we are free. Praise God we are set free!

Lord Willing

 My mother used to have a saying when she was making plans or agreeing to plans, "Lord willing."  She would always preface any plan by adding, "Lord willing. " I have come to the conclusion that God's will is more important than my will or any other plan that may be. God knew of us before this world was formed and when we were formed in our mother's womb. He knew and planned for us. We are here for His purpose. We can choose his plan or choose our own way. When we choose him, we will find out what we were truly intended to be.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1‭-‬2 KJV

We can choose to submit to his will. Present yourself to him and he will do the work in us and through us. He asks for us to trust him and love him. In return, he will bless and honor us with all he has in store. He will lead us, protect us, and provide in ways we will never understand.  He will bring hope and peace to our lives. 

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Proverbs 3:26 KJV

He will be our confidence. When we stand in obedience to his word and his will, we have confidence in God Almighty to do what he intends. Our thoughts and plans need to align with his will. We will see his ways aren't our ways. His ways are higher and always end up for our good. We will not fail when we walk in the confidence that comes from obeying God's will.

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Proverbs 4:11‭-‬13 KJV

He will lead us with wisdom and lead us in the right paths. The confidence of obeying his word comes from the wisdom God instills in us as we follow after him.  We will not fail when we are in accordance to his word and will. We need to ever be prayerful, and study his word. We will recognize his voice, ready to act in obedience. 

In Samuel, we can read about King Saul. He was anointed to be king of Israel. He started out in the will of God, but his pride reared up, he chose to disobey commands of God, disregarded the wisdom of Samuel, and thought he could do things without following God's plans. Samuel spoke to him and rebuked his disobedience. 

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

1 Samuel 15:22‭-‬23 KJV

Saul thought he could appease God with a sacrifice after disobeying the word of God. He did not understand that God just wanted him, and for him to allow God’s will to be done. 

How often do we think we know what to do and end up making a mess? How often do we forget to talk to God about his will for our day? How often do we feel him nudging us to do something or say something, and we ignore him?  We need to take time to say, "What would have me do today?" Then listen and act on what he asks.  We can say, here I am, show me, lead me, use me today.  

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 KJV

I want to be like Isaiah when he said,  Here am I send me. When he calls, I want to be able to say yes without fear or hesitation.  I want to present myself a willing vessel to be used of God for his glory and his will. I want his will to be done in my life. I want to obey his word and be lead by him each step I take, and each word I speak. May God be glorified in all I do. I choose to say,  "Here am I, let your will be done."

listening

 Listening is important. In my line of work, I often tell children to be sure they listen and work on listening skills. We need to hear and listen. We need to attend.  God reminded me that we, as Christians, need to attend to his voice and his word. We need to listen and hear what is spoken.  He is speaking to his people, but often we just nod and go on. We don’t take the time to listen to what he is saying, nor attend to it.

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings

 

Proverbs 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth

 

Listen, hear, attend.  Each of these may be a little different. Listen is to give one's attention to a sound. Hear is to perceive with the ear the sound made by someone or something. Attend is to pay attention to.

Listening to God is to give him your attention, turn to him, and tune in to hear what he is speaking. Hearing is perceiving, being conscious of, realizing or understanding what he is speaking. Attending to what he speaks is to pay attention, give importance to, and to apply your mind or energies to what he says.

Scripture is clear about listening to God’s voice. Many of the people in the Bible are examples of those who listened and those who did not listen.  Moses obeyed God, listened to the voice of God and followed God.  One time, he did not heed or obey what God spoke for him to do. This resulted in Moses not entering the Promised Land.  Saul disobeyed God.  He did not listen to the warnings from Samuel and chose a path of continued disobedience resulting in a sad ending of his life, his son’s lives and loss of the throne.  Yet, Paul is one who listened to God. He attended to the call of God and was mightily used of God. Hosea is a man who listened to God and obeyed the words of God. There are many examples of both in the Bible.  We can also see modern day examples. Corrie Ten Boom once spoke about how she obeyed God is reaching out to shake the hand of one of the guards from the concentration camp she had been held in. In that moment of obedience, God filled her with forgiveness for that man.  There are missionaries I know today who have listened to and attended to the call of God for their lives. It is not easy to leave everything and everyone and go to a place that speaks a different language with a different culture and go to preach the gospel. I am grateful for these examples. Many men and women of God have walked lives with the results of listening to God’s voice and there are many who have been dealt the consequences of not listening to God’s voice. God is faithful to those who are faithful to him.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

 

We have so many reasons to listen to God. We have so many reasons why we don’t. We need to come to the realization that what God has for us is greater than any reason or excuse we have for not attending to his word and just listen to what he speaks to us. The results of listening to God, hearing his voice and attending to what he speaks are greater than we can ever imagine. He may take us down a path we do not understand. He may use us in ways that challenge us and bring growth. He knows what is best for us and is working for our good. We place our faith in his word and walk in the direction he sends us. It may not always be easy, but it will work for our good. Listen, hear and attend to the word of the Lord.

lead and teach

 This weekend is Mother's Day. We celebrate our moms and women who have taken care of us. Many nice things will be given and said.  I had a wonderful mom.  I am glad and grateful for her.  I am also very thankful she and dad raised me in church.

As a Christian,  I am so thankful for the example she was to me and my siblings.  I am thinking about that example and the example I need to be as well. In 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul wrote about two women who were examples and teachers.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 1:5

Timothy had a grandmother and a mother that had instructed him in truth, not only that, they lived it as an example in front of him. These women were mentioned for a reason. They are examples for the generations who followed.

Godly example and teaching is more important today than ever.  This world is seeing uncertainty and evil. God has given instructions to parent to teach our children and be the example they need to go forward in faith.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV

We have instruction to be an example.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

We are to lead by example.  This doesn't just apply to parents, but any person who is to be a leader or teacher. Our personal faith and walk with God is on display to those we lead and teach. We are accountable for our own examples.  We must lead by being an example.  Our personal daily lives, prayer lives, our words, and actions must reflect a heart dedicated to God. Our time must reflect love of Christ and others. We must recognize we have accountability for how we lead.  

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;  Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Deuteronomy 4:9‭-‬10 KJV

Take heed for yourself, make sure you are the example that is right,  and teach your children to also follow after Christ.  We have a lot to live up to.  Does that mean we cannot make mistakes? No. It means when we do, we ask forgiveness and demonstrate that God's grace is sufficient for us as well. We teach even in our failures to turn to God.  We teach and lead by how we handle life, and all the ups and downs.  1 Peter 4:8 tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. We can be a demonstration of God's love to us and extend that same grace to others.  

There is great reward in being an example and teaching our children to serve the Lord.  

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4 KJV

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Proverbs 31:28 KJV

Oh what joy to know your children are serving God. What peace to know they also know Jesus as their own savior.  I cannot think of a greater blessing as a parent than to know your children walk in truth.  That is my greatest, most desperate prayer, for my children to know God. All else in this world pales in comparison.   Jobs come and go, sports come and go, even money comes and goes. But their soul will last forever. 

Children, young and old, need to look for Godly examples.  We need mentors and teachers to look to. We should not despise the instructions and examples we have before us. Value the elders who have already walked a lifetime. Find strength in their wisdom. Seek their counsel. Do not trade a Godly leaders wisdom for lies. 

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Proverbs 23:22‭-‬25 KJV

I pray we all become, the examples we need to be to those who come after us, teach them the truth and pray for them to love and  chase after truth. I pray for my Godly leaders and seek to counsel from them.  This world would want us to put aside the wisdom of God and put aside faith. This world seeks to destroy truth, but we can be examples of Godly faith and teachers of truth that will sustain and grow the next generation of Godly leaders and parents.  As parents, and as leaders and teachers, may we follow the instruction of God to be what he has asked us to be. Lead and teach the truth.

peacemakers

 There are a lot of things happening in our world today, from a pandemic to outright riots and turmoil.  There are many who are afraid and hurt and others who are violent and lashing out.  We walk around in a world of uncertainty. There are also many who are dealing with overwhelming concerns for health, loved ones, finances and anxiety. There is so much that is pulling us into fear. But God says, in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  He also cares about what we care about. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  He cares more about us than we realize. He is the God who created us and sent His Son to die for us. He will not leave us, nor forsake us just because there is trouble. He takes care of his children.

Philippians 4:7 ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

There is a peace from God that passes all understanding. His peace can keep us and sustain us through every trial and every situation. We can let our requests be made known to God and he answers them. He cares about you and what you care about. He hears our prayers and our hearts’ cry. He knows what we need and he knows how to pour peace into our hearts and minds. He knows the answer for our situation. He is the answer. He is our healer, our protector, our Savior. He is the one we can turn to and run to.

 

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

 

In this world, we are not immune to struggle and trials. We are not immune to the affects of others who choose to do wrong. We are not immune to sickness and even the violence that occurs. We may at times face these situations, but we can still stand on the Word of God and find a peace that no one can understand. I remember my grandmother telling about having two of her children in different hospitals, one dying from cancer and the other facing a heart defect that needed immediate surgery to save his life. She had every reason to fear. Yet, she turned to God. She prayed and trusted him for the outcome and the strength to endure through it all. As she went back and forth with my grandfather caring the kids still at home, and running between two different hospitals to check on her children, she found the peace of God. She was rather encouraging and praying with other parents in those hospitals. She was giving strength to others and had a testimony of God’s faithfulness and peace through it all. She would say it was God’s peace that brought her through.

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Jesus came to this earth and spoke words of compassion. He sacrificed his life and rose again that we might have hope and find salvation. He spoke that he overcame this world that we might have peace. We can be of good cheer even in the roughest of circumstances. We can be peace to others. We can speak life to others. We can share the hope we have in Jesus Christ and the reason we have the peace that only comes from him.  Our world needs peace. True peace only comes from God. True peace that fills our hearts and minds comes from the knowledge and experience of knowing God and his love. He is the Prince of Peace.

 

Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 

We can speak share peace with those who are hurting. We can share peace with those struggling. We can speak peace to this world individually and as a whole. We can campaign for peace.  We can be a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world. We can be a peacemaker to those around us.  May we reach out to those around us to be the peacemaker in their lives. It may be one on one or a group that needs peace. But God has a peace for each of us if we call on him. May we find peace and be a peacemaker to those around us.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16

 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

higher ground

 While flipping through an old hymnal, I came across the old song, Higher Ground by John Oatman Jr. It has a chorus that says, 

Lord Lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven's tableland. 

A higher plane than I have found. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

Each verse speaks of wanting to move forward and higher spiritually. It is a prayer for God to help us press onward, and not be bound by the doubts and fears in this world. I love the words and meaning of this hymn. 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Paul wrote to the congregation in Phillipi about reaching forward and pressing forward. He said to forget the things behind and reach for the things that are before us. Paul understood struggle, attacks from the enemy, and from people. Yet, he still pushed upward. God has much in store for us when we press into him and push forward. This life tends to bring struggle and difficulty,  but God has the answer for it all. We can press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  We do not need to be bound by fear and doubt or bogged down living in struggle spiritually. We can rejoice in faith of God nd his blessing. There is  joy in the presence of the Lord. 

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 58:14 KJV

We will find blessing and rest in the joy of the Lord as we push onward into the spiritual things he has for his people.  We can stand planted and firm in the promises of His Word, in his blessing and in faith.  What a joyous thought to know he will help me stand firm. He will bring us through all trials and strengthen us in faith and resolve, we only need to ask him. 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 1:3 KJV

We will be planted in faith, growing in faith, and we will prosper in faith.  God wants us to be rooted and grounded, not blown about, torn apart and barely surviving  in our walk with him. He wants for us to be prosperous spiritually, full of faith, able to withstand every fiery dart the enemy sends our way. We do not need to fear what those darts can do when our faith is firm in Jesus. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 KJV

Don't look back at what was before, don't look around at the boisterous waves in this life. Stand firm, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There is no thing in this world that can stand against him or us when we are standing in him.  We have higher ground and God who answers every prayer.  He will plant us on the higher ground so no flood in this broken world can overwhelm or destroy us.  Ask him to plant your feet on higher ground. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 

cling to good

 Have you ever noticed that cling wrap will not stick to cheap plastic bowls?  I have two big plastic bowls that cost a dollar and I like to use them often. They are durable and light.  They hold a lot of food, but when I need to put it in the refrigerator,  I want to cover them with plastic, but the plastic wrap will not cling or stick.  Plastic wrap adheres or clings well to glass and to metal, but not to the cheaper plastic bowls.  It just will not work well.  

This made me think about what we try to cling to spiritually.  Are we holding on and clinging to true things of God, or something cheap or not what we really need?  

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:9 KJV

Cleave is a word that means to cling to or adhere to, stick to it, hold on and not let go.  We are given this verse to cling to that which is good. 

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalms 63:8 KJV

Or in the NIV,  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

We can cling to God, to His word, His promises. He will keep us and protect us.  He will never leave us or forsake us for he holds on to us as well. We can trust Him and place our faith in his goodness. 

Throughout the Bible and history, there are examples of those who do and do not cling to the goodness of God.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 KJV

The nation of Israelites, as a whole, had not clung to God. They had backslid into idol worship, and evil ways. They were ignoring God's word and promises. They were living a life that  glorified self, and whatever they wanted, they did.  They did not hold tight to God.  

Today, this is still true of many. People hold on to things that do not agree with God. It can be utter, complete denial of God, willful disobedience  to his word, or just holding on to pride and my own attitude.   What do I think is so important that I cannot let go and trust God's plan? What do I keep going back to? Do we put things or self first, rather than God?  Are we holding fast to pride, self, or other areas that God really wants to change or make new?  

We need to cling to the good things of God.  We cannot cling to cheap imitations. We cannot cling to things that will not last, nor help us in our pursuit of the holiness of God.  We can hold fast to God and his goodness for he will never fail and he will keep us in the palm of his hand. We can say as David did, "My times are in Your hand." (Psalms 31:15)  we can trust him, hold on and know he is holding on to us. 

Cling to that which is good. Let go of things that hinder or keep us from all the blessings of God. Hold fast to God.