Freedom

Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

The word "freedom" seems almost like a misnomer, because freedom certainly isn't free. It has come at a very high price in every stage of history. In fact, when I think of the word "freedom," I also think of the word "sacrifice." Many people down through the ages have sacrificed their time, energy, plans for the future, and even their very lives on battlefields around the world.

What do you suppose those who have sacrificed for the freedom which we have would tell us if they could? I believe they would exhort us to appreciate and enjoy our freedom, to live with meaning and purpose, and to share it with others.

Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice so we could have spiritual freedom from the tyranny of sin. Only He was qualified to make this sacrifice, but He made it for every person.

What do you think Jesus might tell us concerning our spiritual freedom if He had the opportunity? I think He would say we should appreciate and enjoy it, should live with meaning and purpose, and should share it with others. In fact, let's see if we can find some of these ideas in God's Word.

I Peter 2:16, "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."

Colossians 3:12-16, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as member of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Matthew 10:8b, "Freely you have received; freely give."

Father, thank You so much for both the physical freedom and the spiritual freedom which we have. May we be always grateful, mindful of the sacrifices of others which have allowed us to live in freedom, and may we live with meaning and purpose and share all You have given us and done for us with others. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

Of all the questions wives dread to hear

There's one that's the all time winner.

As soon as a husband comes in from work

He wants to know, "What's for dinner?"

Contentment

Content--satisfied; not wanting more or anything else; finding enjoyment, pleasure, in what you have.

I Tim. 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Phil. 4:11b-12a, words of Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation......"

The world's philosophy is summed up in this saying, "You can never be too rich or too thin." Many affluent people just want more. There will always be people who are richer and smarter and better looking and more talented than we are, and there will always be people who are poorer, less educated, less gifted with beauty or intellect or talent than we are. Paul might well have written in Philippians, "I have made up my mind, I have decided, I have determined, to enjoy whatever I have without wishing for anything more or different."

Actually, being discontent is being dissatisfied with the provisions God has made for us. It's like telling our Creator that He has shortchanged us on the good things of this world. Do we have comfortable homes, good food to eat, and clean clothes to wear? Do we have all that we really need? There is a vast difference between need and greed.

What is Paul's secret of being content in his varied circumstances? I think it is two fold. First, contentment comes from a grateful heart. It's a matter of looking at all our blessings and saying, "Thank You, God," rather than focusing on what we don't have and saying, "God, I want that." Second, it's a matter of realizing that who we are is not bound up in the material possessions we own but in who we are in Christ. We are children of the Lord of lords and King of kings, bound for an eternal home in a city whose streets are paved with gold, a city where we shall live forever in the presence of Jehovah. We are destined to be the very bride of Christ. No one can have greater standing than that. That's as good as it can get!

Thank You, Father, that the best thing in life is free and available to all--salvation through Jesus Christ. May we be always grateful for all You have given us and done for us, content in the life that you have planned for each one of us. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

When baby arrives, a good night's sleep flies right out the door.

Your toddlers seek your bed at night--and wait, there's even more.

The teen age years you're waiting up at night 'til they come in.

Not until your kids leave home will you get a good night's sleep again!

Walking on the Waves 5

There is another great lesson from Peter walking on the water with Jesus, and it is summed up in a book title, "If You Want To Walk On The Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat. Jesus called Peter's faith "little faith," but he was the only disciple to climb out of the boat and try to balance on the whitecapping waves.

Theodore Roosevelt summed up this emphasis when he said, "It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena......who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Many times Jesus will ask us to get out of our comfort zones, out of our boats of self-reliance, and attempt to do things we cannot possibly do by ourselves. If we dare to follow Him, He comes alongside us and gives us whatever power, strength, and wisdom we need for the tasks to which He has called us. We may not always be successful, but if we fail, He is right beside us and will reach down and pick us up just as He rescued Peter from the stormy sea. As we answer His call, we will discover that Jesus is absolutely trustworthy, and the greatest excitement in life is doing what we can't.

Father, may we never be afraid to follow wherever You lead. Thank You for Your power and strength and wisdom in our lives. May we never say, I can't," because You can. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

When you're in a waiting room, the t.v.'s always on.

You might want to talk or read a book or simply be alone,

But whether you want to watch it or not it will endlessly continue to drone,

Whenever the room is full of folks and when everyone is gone.