The word “freedom” carries with it the idea of being released from any restraints or not being bound by any regulations, rules, or requirements. Nearly everyone wants to live a life with no obligations, no opposition, or no oppression.
Yet, despite everything, all of life is wrapped with boundaries of one nature or another. Highways are divided by traffic lanes, stop signs, caution signs, turning lanes, and many other constraints. Every athletic contest or sporting event has specific lines, certain types of equipment or clothing, and regulations to control the activities and behaviors of the participants enforced by referees. Even something as simple as boiling water has specific criteria.
Rarely, if ever, do we pause to consider life’s limits. We take for granted the ability to move about at will, make independent choices, and manage our affairs. But does moving and choosing and managing make us free? Not really. Each of them moving, choosing, managing - has their limits. They all involve constraints in the final analysis. Where, then, do we find freedom?
Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” God, through Christ, offers us the priceless gift of living each day free from destroying ourselves and free to be and become who He has called us to be and do what He has created us to do. But we must follow His teachings we find in His Word, and allow His Spirit to direct us along the path He has laid out for us. We will only be free if we accept Christ as our Savior and follow the teachings in His word.
Prayer: Lord, may we understand the fact that we are not free if we are self-centered and controlled by sin. Enable us to understand and accept true freedom through Christ, Your Son, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Free From Fear
The word “freedom” carries with it the idea of being released from any restraints or not being bound by any regulations, rules, or requirements. Nearly everyone wants to live a life with no obligations, no opposition, or no oppression.
Yet, despite everything, all of life is wrapped with boundaries of one nature or another. Highways are divided by traffic lanes, stop signs, caution signs, turning lanes, and many other constraints. Every athletic contest or sporting event has specific lines, certain types of equipment or clothing, and regulations to control the activities and behaviors of the participants enforced by referees. Even something as simple as boiling water has specific criteria.
Rarely, if ever, do we pause to consider life’s limits. We take for granted the ability to move about at will, make independent choices, and manage our affairs. But does moving and choosing and managing make us free? Not really. Each of them moving, choosing, managing - has their limits. They all involve constraints in the final analysis. Where, then, do we find freedom?
Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” God, through Christ, offers us the priceless gift of living each day free from destroying ourselves and free to be and become who He has called us to be and do what He has created us to do. But we must follow His teachings we find in His Word, and allow His Spirit to direct us along the path He has laid out for us. We will only be free if we accept Christ as our Savior and follow the teachings in His word.
Prayer: Lord, may we understand the fact that we are not free if we are self-centered and controlled by sin. Enable us to understand and accept true freedom through Christ, Your Son, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Yet, despite everything, all of life is wrapped with boundaries of one nature or another. Highways are divided by traffic lanes, stop signs, caution signs, turning lanes, and many other constraints. Every athletic contest or sporting event has specific lines, certain types of equipment or clothing, and regulations to control the activities and behaviors of the participants enforced by referees. Even something as simple as boiling water has specific criteria.
Rarely, if ever, do we pause to consider life’s limits. We take for granted the ability to move about at will, make independent choices, and manage our affairs. But does moving and choosing and managing make us free? Not really. Each of them moving, choosing, managing - has their limits. They all involve constraints in the final analysis. Where, then, do we find freedom?
Paul said, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” God, through Christ, offers us the priceless gift of living each day free from destroying ourselves and free to be and become who He has called us to be and do what He has created us to do. But we must follow His teachings we find in His Word, and allow His Spirit to direct us along the path He has laid out for us. We will only be free if we accept Christ as our Savior and follow the teachings in His word.
Prayer: Lord, may we understand the fact that we are not free if we are self-centered and controlled by sin. Enable us to understand and accept true freedom through Christ, Your Son, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Straight From Azalea Avenue
Jane was particular in each prayer she offered to God. Her “This Is What I’m Asking You For, Jesus” list contained extremely detailed information about each person or item that she had written on her prayer list.
One night following her “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” end of her prayer, she paused for a moment and then added the words: “Lord, these requests come directly to You from 417 Azalea Avenue, Savannah, Georgia!”
It would be interesting if we knew in detail what was on Jane’s prayer list. But it does not matter. What we do know is that whatever was on her list was asked for “In Jesus’ Name.”
When Jesus said that we could “ask for anything in My name,” we must always remember that our “asking” must be consistent with the character of God and will of God. We cannot expect God to grant our requests if they are contrary to whom we know He is.
We know without any doubt that our God is a holy God, a righteous God, a caring God, and a God who loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to die for us and become our Savior and Lord. Indeed, when we consider these four primary characteristics of God, we realize that they lead to a significant fact about our God: He will bless what honors Him.
A simple way to evaluate each of our requests is to ask: Will what I’m asking God for, honor Him?
Prayer: Father, we know that You want us to have the desires of our hearts. Help us understand Your will so that our requests will receive Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:13-14
One night following her “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” end of her prayer, she paused for a moment and then added the words: “Lord, these requests come directly to You from 417 Azalea Avenue, Savannah, Georgia!”
It would be interesting if we knew in detail what was on Jane’s prayer list. But it does not matter. What we do know is that whatever was on her list was asked for “In Jesus’ Name.”
When Jesus said that we could “ask for anything in My name,” we must always remember that our “asking” must be consistent with the character of God and will of God. We cannot expect God to grant our requests if they are contrary to whom we know He is.
We know without any doubt that our God is a holy God, a righteous God, a caring God, and a God who loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to die for us and become our Savior and Lord. Indeed, when we consider these four primary characteristics of God, we realize that they lead to a significant fact about our God: He will bless what honors Him.
A simple way to evaluate each of our requests is to ask: Will what I’m asking God for, honor Him?
Prayer: Father, we know that You want us to have the desires of our hearts. Help us understand Your will so that our requests will receive Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:13-14
Straight From Azalea Avenue
Jane was particular in each prayer she offered to God. Her “This Is What I’m Asking You For, Jesus” list contained extremely detailed information about each person or item that she had written on her prayer list.
One night following her “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” end of her prayer, she paused for a moment and then added the words: “Lord, these requests come directly to You from 417 Azalea Avenue, Savannah, Georgia!”
It would be interesting if we knew in detail what was on Jane’s prayer list. But it does not matter. What we do know is that whatever was on her list was asked for “In Jesus’ Name.”
When Jesus said that we could “ask for anything in My name,” we must always remember that our “asking” must be consistent with the character of God and will of God. We cannot expect God to grant our requests if they are contrary to whom we know He is.
We know without any doubt that our God is a holy God, a righteous God, a caring God, and a God who loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to die for us and become our Savior and Lord. Indeed, when we consider these four primary characteristics of God, we realize that they lead to a significant fact about our God: He will bless what honors Him.
A simple way to evaluate each of our requests is to ask: Will what I’m asking God for, honor Him?
Prayer: Father, we know that You want us to have the desires of our hearts. Help us understand Your will so that our requests will receive Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:13-14
One night following her “In Jesus’ Name, Amen” end of her prayer, she paused for a moment and then added the words: “Lord, these requests come directly to You from 417 Azalea Avenue, Savannah, Georgia!”
It would be interesting if we knew in detail what was on Jane’s prayer list. But it does not matter. What we do know is that whatever was on her list was asked for “In Jesus’ Name.”
When Jesus said that we could “ask for anything in My name,” we must always remember that our “asking” must be consistent with the character of God and will of God. We cannot expect God to grant our requests if they are contrary to whom we know He is.
We know without any doubt that our God is a holy God, a righteous God, a caring God, and a God who loved us so much that He sent His Son into the world to die for us and become our Savior and Lord. Indeed, when we consider these four primary characteristics of God, we realize that they lead to a significant fact about our God: He will bless what honors Him.
A simple way to evaluate each of our requests is to ask: Will what I’m asking God for, honor Him?
Prayer: Father, we know that You want us to have the desires of our hearts. Help us understand Your will so that our requests will receive Your blessings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:13-14
"For Us Or Against Us?"
It was the final football game of the season. The winning team would win the conference championship. Every player was giving their best and fighting with all their strength to win. Unfortunately, the quarterback of one team was severely injured and had to be carried off the field. His backup walked confidently onto the field to take his place.
On the first play, he fumbled the ball but quickly fell upon it and avoided a costly mistake. Then he threw an incomplete pass. On his third play, he threw an interception, and the player who caught the ball ran the length of the field, giving the opposing team a victory and the championship.
After the game, when the team assembled in the locker room, the coach said to the losing quarterback, “Son, which side were you on?”
In the book of Exodus, we read of a situation where Moses confronted the people after Aaron allowed them to get entirely out of control. He refused to let things remain as they were and challenged them by saying: “All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me!”
Perhaps each of us needs to respond to that very same statement. We may attend church, carry a Bible, sing hymns, and even pray. But when we get into the “game of life,” do those around us know, “which side we are on?” Does what we say and do represent the Lord favorably? What we do and how we do it is what proves to others whose side we are on.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that there have been times when the world does not know which side we are on. Give us courage and strength to represent You. For Jesus’ sake! Amen.
Scripture For Today: All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me. Exodus 32:25-26
On the first play, he fumbled the ball but quickly fell upon it and avoided a costly mistake. Then he threw an incomplete pass. On his third play, he threw an interception, and the player who caught the ball ran the length of the field, giving the opposing team a victory and the championship.
After the game, when the team assembled in the locker room, the coach said to the losing quarterback, “Son, which side were you on?”
In the book of Exodus, we read of a situation where Moses confronted the people after Aaron allowed them to get entirely out of control. He refused to let things remain as they were and challenged them by saying: “All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me!”
Perhaps each of us needs to respond to that very same statement. We may attend church, carry a Bible, sing hymns, and even pray. But when we get into the “game of life,” do those around us know, “which side we are on?” Does what we say and do represent the Lord favorably? What we do and how we do it is what proves to others whose side we are on.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that there have been times when the world does not know which side we are on. Give us courage and strength to represent You. For Jesus’ sake! Amen.
Scripture For Today: All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come here and join me. Exodus 32:25-26
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