Verse of the Day: Hebrews 12:1- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Memory of the month: And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" —Luke 24:32
Today's reading: DEUTERONOMY 19-21 MARK 13:21-37
God of the Free World
The 'free world'...what does that mean? The leader of the free world...what is his name? The people of the free world...can they be identified?
Our president is often identified as the leader of the free world no matter who is in office. The people who live in democratic societies are called free.
A large percentage of our people are on antidepressants which are many times not even available to those who live in the 'non-free world'. So, what makes us so free?
Freedom comes not from legislation or a great military machine though we are thankful for all of this. Freedom does not come from highways and good mechanics. It does not come from a great medical community and access to the latest treatments. It does not come from banks and plastic cards allowing us to buy without money. Freedom does not come from vaccinations that set us free from masks. It does not come from an electrical grid that keeps us out of the dark and keeps us warm or cool.
Freedom cannot be manufactured, legislated, won, or given. Real freedom cannot be taken away.
Real freedom is divine freedom. Real freedom is only known to the soul that is free in Christ Jesus.
How do I know? How can I make a statement like that?
I live in the 'free world'-the free, physical world. I know what being in slavery to sin is and I know what being set free in Christ is. These two worlds are not even 'apples and oranges'-more like apples and atomic destruction-as a matter of fact, that is our story. The Garden of Eden was perfect. We lost that and in our physical fight to be free down through the centuries, we came up with the atom bomb-to be free?
(Out of that movie, "That don't make no sense!")
But, then, God demanded blood as a way to wipe out our sin and to make us free. Instead of any other way that fell short, the blood of Jesus was given by Jesus so we could be ransomed by Jesus. Jesus gave His blood that we could be free from sin-the world-atomic threat-fear...
Jesus has opened the door to the throneroom of God Almighty for each of us who accept this reality. It is the only reality of real freedom and Jesus is the only way to this real freedom. John 14:6
Sin is the plantation and the enemy is the slaver. All the lost are always on this plantation where there will never be real freedom.
But Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, LUKE 4:18.
Good news! Liberty! Sight! Freedom!
We all know that this liberty, this freedom has to be maintained. It takes soul work and self control and resolve and desire. We cannot set back in a vegetative position and expect for the waters to flow through us. It takes daily effort with all our souls. We must fight for the freedom Jesus has given us because we still live in this sinful world.
Get in the fight! Put on the armor of God!(Ephesians 6:10-20)
Run the race.
Hebrews 12:1- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Divine freedom in Jesus or no freedom at all...
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me, Lord, for the sins of laziness and apathy. Raise me up in Your eternal freedom, great and wonderful lover of my soul.
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