Freedom In Christ

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Freedom In Christ

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

John 8:32
“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Luke 4:18-19
“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, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Devotional:
God is so good. This phrase percolates around our home often. I am a worship leader and song writer, and my little girl is beginning to show signs of loving to sing and lead songs as well at a very young age. She will often just break out singing,

“God is so good.
God is so good.
God is so good,
He’s so good to me.”

When I read about His transforming power, that spontaneous worship also rises up in me. God is so good to me. He has taken the time to pull me out of a dark and confused place and bring me in to His family. He is so good. My heart swells with gratitude, and I just want to worship Him.

Transformation isn’t easy. There is always a process of working out the changes. When a prisoner leaves prison, there is usually a time of transition into the outside world. Sometimes, freedom is scary because it presents so many choices that before were too tempting for someone without boundaries. But as a person walks out the changes, a little bit at a time and one day at a time the former life becomes less interesting and less of a struggle because the true freedom of being in Christ is so much better! It truly is.

Maybe for another, addiction is not the bondage they lived in. Maybe it is worry. Maybe it is control. Pride? Selfishness? Explosive anger? Covert and suppressed anger? Judging and comparing? These are chains, and it is for these chains of bondage Christ came to set us free.

As a mom, I realize that my children need to see that I am a Christ follower and that I am dedicated to allowing God to work on my character defects. I am committed to being changed by Him. He is the Source of my freedom, and He is the Source of theirs. And, He is SO good.

Don’t be afraid, mama. God’s there, He is good, and He wants to guide you into a new level of freedom in him. He wants to give freedom to your family, too. He is pleased with you…He made you. Trust Him, He will do it!

Prayer:
Father, I thank You that You are good. You have a good will toward me, and toward my family. You desire to transform us, and to make us new from the inside out day by day. Today, I commit to being the first one to choose change and transformation. I accept the gift of Your healing and grace. Give me strength and courage as I allow You to do the job of making me new.

I give my husband to You today, God. I thank You that You are the One Who will cause changes in his life. Help me not to try to change him, but to continually lift concerns to You.

I lift up my child(ren) today and ask for Your divine intervention in (area needing transformation). I ask for Your freedom to flow through their heart and life. Overwhelm them with the desire not to be bound by these chains!

I give our home to You anew this day. Bless our coming in and going out, and protect us one and all.


In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen. 

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