Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: EXODUS 9-11 MATTHEW 15:21-39
Claiming Freedom
Luke 4:18 ►
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
Jesus said He came to set the oppressed free. His salvation is freedom from oppression. Christ sets us free from oppression. The rest is up to us.
Jesus said that He came to:
1. Proclaim good news to the poor-1 Timothy 6:6 ►
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
We are all poor if we always want something else except what God wants. Seeking Godliness brings contentment.
Psalm 37:4 ►
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
If your desires come from God, you will be free from poverty.
2. Proclaim freedom for the prisoners-1 Timothy 6:6 ►
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
Godliness must be sought after. We must seek the Lord and His righteousness(Matthew 6:33). It is never automatic. We must choose every day to be free in Christ-free from the prison of the world and want.
3. Proclaim sight for the blind-Matthew 11:15 ►
"Whoever has ears, let them hear."
This verse says what it needs to. We must choose to hear and see-we must choose to not be blind.
C.S. Lewis wrote:
"...we are coming to be almost the only people who appeal to the buried (but not dead) human appetite for the objective truth".
Are we? Are we looking for objective truth? The only objective truth for a Christian comes from the scripture. Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the Life". His life is the truth and He is the only way to that truth.
If we still want more, are we free? If we are not content, where is the problem. The problem is that we asked Jesus to save us and then sat back and waited for freedom to be ours. We expected to see clearly without effort. In our error we have waited-no time in the word or prayer or meditation-show up in church, put a little money in the plate and then go back to live under the oppression Jesus delivered us from.
We grieve over elections lost and feel our vote did not count and worry about what is going to happen. When is the last time God took you through something and did not supply all your needs in Christ Jesus-not all your needs in the world-all your needs in Christ Jesus?
Can we see this truth? Or do we argue that we should live like kings in this world?
Our needs are not seen. Our needs exist in the heart of God and He will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 ►
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Let God define your needs.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
I confess I let the world define my needs. Let me see the truth, live freedom in that truth, and realize Your wealth in Your truth.
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