Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 16 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day seventeen with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, have been set free by a new covenant.

Free By a New Covenant

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)

Have you ever signed an agreement that seemed like a great idea at the time, but later felt like it had trapped you into something you couldn’t get out of?  How does living under such an agreement make you feel?  What would it feel like for the other party to “buy out” what you could not pay and rewrite the contract in your favor?  How would being released from the burden free you to live under the new agreement?  How would living with freedom help you accept the terms of the new agreement.

The covenant of the law was written to provide a framework of living a holy life which is acceptable to God.  The Bible teaches that the law was useful as a teacher to help us see we could never make it to heaven on our own.  In Jesus, the penalty we owed under the covenant of the law was paid so that we can be set free to live under a new covenant.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with an appreciation for the price He paid to free you from the penalty of the law.  Pray that you would use your freedom to live with joy under the new covenant that has been written with the blood of Jesus.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 17 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day sixteen with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free in holiness.

Free To Live In Holiness

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
Romans 6:22 (NIV)

What comes to mind when you think of someone being holy?  Is holiness something that you consider attainable in your own life?  Why?  What specific things need to take place in your life for you to be holy?  Who can do those things in your life?  Is there a part of holiness that is up to you in addition to the work God does in your life?  How does a daily reminder that you’ve been set free from sin help you to pursue holiness?  Why is holiness such a necessary and noble pursuit?

Holiness has to do with belonging to God or being set apart for God’s exclusive use.  When God gave instructions regarding the tabernacle, and eventually the temple, part of those instructions involved purifying both things and people so that they would be holy — set apart for God’s exclusive and special use.  Our holiness is only possible as we are purified through the blood of Jesus, but that holiness is maintained as we daily surrender to living a life exclusive to God.  As you pray, ask God to purify you from all unrighteousness.  Pray for a heart that seeks purity in all you do.  Pray that you would be free to live exclusively for God.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 18 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day fifteen with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free to lend justly.

Free To Lend Justly

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)

Who do you listen to?  Why?  How well to you take instruction from others?  Would they say your answer is accurate?  How aware are you of God’s presence in your life?  Do you live like God’s Spirit is a daily partner, an occasional visitor, or an uninvolved stranger in your daily routines?  Are you comfortable talking about the presence of God’s Spirit in your life?  How does gazing into God’s perfect law set you free to live by the Spirit?  Does living by the Spirit mean God’s Word is unimportant?  Why not?

Jesus taught that God is spirit and true worshipers will worship Him in spirit and in truth.  Unfortunately, there are times when people try to dissect God and try to choose either spirit or truth and actually end up with nothing of substance.  We are told to test the spirits because not every spirit is from God.  It is when we know God through His Word that we can be free to live by the Spirit because we have learned what the Spirit sounds like.  As you pray, ask God to help you know Him in both spirit and in truth.  Pray that you would live by the Spirit as you examine the nature of God through His Word.  Pray that your freedom would exemplify God’s presence.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 19 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day fourteen with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free to lend justly.

Free To Lend Justly

“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.”
Psalm 112:5 (NIV)

How often do you borrow things?  How willing are you to loan what you have to others?  Have you ever loaned, or borrowed, something and not been treated fairly in the process?  How did it make you feel?  How do those experiences influence you in being free to lend justly?  What factors make it difficult to let others use what you have?  What are some things that make it easier to lend freely?  How does God’s Word equip you to act with justice in your lending, and borrowing, practices?

In a culture filled with predatory lenders and constant news of unjust lending practices passing as business as usual, being set free to lend with justice is a breath of fresh air.  While there are times we are called to give freely to those in need, other times He entrusts us with resources that He expects us to lend to others without taking advantage of them.  In a like manner, He also wants us to be fair to those we borrow from.  As you pray, ask God to help you live differently from the world as you learn His way of lending that is beneficial to all.  Pray that you would treat everyone fairly as you share use of God’s resources.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 20 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day thirteen with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free to help others.

Free To Help Others

“If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.  Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.”
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NIV)

How does it feel to receive unexpected help?  Do you ever think you deserve help at times when you receive none?  Do you ever receive help when you think you don’t deserve it?  How likely are you to help others?  What factors determine if you help?  Do you ever want to help a person in need, but don’t?  Why?  How does your sense of being helped influence your willingness to help others?  How does God helping you in your time of need free you to help others in their need?

There is rarely a day goes by but what we don’t encounter someone who could use our help.  Our reaction is typically based on a lot of variables, but at some point we have to actually decide whether we will help or not.  It is through gazing intently into God’s Word that we find the freedom to help others.  When we trust God for wisdom, and trust Him for the results, we are free to help according to His will.  As you pray, ask God to help you grasp just how much you rely on His help each day.  Pray that you would know the freedom that comes in helping others as you look to God to learn what that help should look like.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 21 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day twelve with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free because of God’s pardon and proclamation.

Free By God’s Pardon and Proclamation

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

Have you ever been guilty of something for which you’ve been pardoned, or forgiven, by the offended party?  How did it make you feel?  Who knew about your guilt?  Who knew about the pardon or forgiveness?  What affect does announcing a pardon or forgiveness to a group of witnesses have on how you receive it?  How does knowing that God has forgiven your sin help you to live as free?  As you gaze into God’s perfect law, does knowing that God proclaims your pardon to the world help you eagerly accept that forgiveness?

With people, sometimes forgiveness doesn’t seem to be offered in corresponding measure to our guilt.  While pardon may be given by one individual, many others are unaware of that and still view us as guilty.  When it comes to our guilt before God, He not only pardons us but he also proclaims that pardon to all who would listen.  His pardon and proclamation of such ought to set us free to live our life for Him.  As you pray, thank God for His forgiveness and for making that forgiveness known.  Pray that you would also view others as forgiven because God has proclaimed it.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 22 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day eleven with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free to both give and receive.

Free To Give and Receive

“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:7-8 (NIV)

While sounding a lot like yesterday’s topic, I encourage you to pay attention today to the subtle differences.

Have you ever turned down a gift or an offer of help?  Why?  What do you think is the most common reason for a person not to receive something that is offered?  If pride wasn’t your answer, how much do you think pride plays into the answer you gave?  Do you tend to live with an “easy come, easy go” attitude or are you more likely to try to hold onto everything that comes your way?  How does a willingness to receive from God influence your willingness to give?

There are times when a person is offered something and their first response is, “I simply can’t accept that.”  There are a variety of reasons why that answer is given, but usually somewhere in the mix of those reasons is an element of pride.  It may either be a bold pride that says, “I can do it myself”, or a more subtle pride that says, “I don’t deserve it.”  God wants us to put aside all forms of pride and be free to both receive and give.  As you pray, ask God to help you receive freely from Him, and from others, so that you may in turn give freely as you have opportunity.

In prayer,

Tom  

Freedom.  It seems everyone wants to be free yet we often struggle to even admit when we are not.  When Jesus stated that holding to His teachings would lead people to know the truth that would set them free, the religious leaders bristled at even the hint that they had ever been slaves to anyone or anything.  Over the next 23 days I will be sharing the daily devotions from the book, “Living Free”, that I wrote several years ago to help you discover a life of freedom found through a consistent gazing into, and practice of, the perfect law of God’s Word.

Here is day ten with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free to follow God’s commands.

Free To Be Generous

“They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.”
Psalm 37:26 (NIV)

What is the most generous thing someone has done for you?  What made it so?  What is the most generous thing you have done for someone else?  Do you tend to measure generous acts by the monetary value or by something else?  What defines generosity for you?  What has God provided in your life?  How does gazing intently into God’s perfect law free you to become a more generous person?  Does God’s generosity toward you inspire you to be more generous with others?

Most days it seems that I have a mix of selfish and generous tendencies which reside within me in fairly equal measures.  I don’t mind helping others, but I want to make sure I’m taken care of as well.  It is through time in God’s Word that I learn to more fully trust Him to take care of me.  It is then that I find the freedom to be more generous with others.  As you pray, ask God to help you experience and see His generosity poured out in your life.  Pray that you would recognize your selfish desires so that you would not allow them to take over your thoughts.  Pray that your time spent with God would prepare you to be generous with God, and with people in need.

In prayer,

Tom