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  

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 24 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 nine 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 Follow God’s Commands

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”
Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

What is your first reaction to hearing the word command?  How do you feel about being told what you have to do?  Are there times when it is easier to follow the commands of someone than at other times?  Why?  What role does love have in your willingness to follow commands?  Do you tend to view rules as keeping you from doing things or as setting you free to do everything within their boundaries?  What’s the difference?  Would seeing God’s love within His commands help you to live free to follow them?

Most of us don’t like to be told what to do.  We tend to resent commands, especially if we can’t see how they benefit us.  We often even think of God’s laws as being a bunch of “Thou shalt nots” rather than being boundaries that set us free to obey.  When we gaze into God’s perfect law, we find that it is His love for us that sets us free to obey His commands with a willing heart.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with the presence and knowledge of His love.  Pray that you would find joy and freedom in following His commands.  Pray that your love for Him would make obedience a joy.

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 26 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 seven with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free from the power of your enemies.

Free From Enemies

“He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me.”
2 Samuel 22:48-49 (NIV)

Who are your enemies?  What makes them enemies?  Is it possible to live free from enemies even when they still exist?  How?  How does understanding the teaching of God’s Word about our real enemy help you deal with people who act like your enemy?  Does the way you treat enemies say more about you, or them?  What does God’s Word say about how we ought to treat enemies?  How would doing that help you to live free from their influence and/or control?

It seems impossible to go through life without making enemies, or at least encountering people who act like they are your enemy.  When we learn by gazing into God’s Word that we need to love our enemies, we are able to find ourselves free from their influence.  Being able to see the real enemy for who he is, helps us treat the people who act like enemies the way God wants us to.  As you pray, ask God to help you understand how to live free from enemies as you love them as God desires.  Pray that you would see beyond the actions of people to recognize who the real enemy is.  Pray for the peace to feast at God’s table in the presence of your enemies.

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 27 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 six with an important reminder that living free in Christ means that you, and those around you, can live free from the captivity of sin.

Free From Captivity

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.“
Isaiah 42:6-7 (NIV)

“O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.”
Psalm 116:16-17 (NIV)

Have you ever been trapped in a place or situation and then been set free?  How did it feel to be captive?  How did it feel to be set free?  Is it possible there are things you are captive to that you don’t even realize?  Is it possible to live free even when you are confined for some reason?  How?  How does gazing into the perfect law of God set you free from the captivity of sin?  What does being free from the captivity of sin mean to you?  Does it mean you will never sin again, or something else?  Why?

Unlike a physical prison, sin’s captivity doesn’t always confine us to a specific place but it does make us captive to a way of life that keeps us apart from God.  God’s perfect law sets us free from the power of sin and death through the blood of Jesus.  Even if we should find our self confined for some reason, through Jesus we can still live free from the captivity of sin.  As you pray, ask God to help you live free from the things which try to take your heart, mind, and soul captive.  Pray that you would not re-enter that captivity once Christ has set you free.

In prayer,

Tom