Seven Days of Freedom, Day 3: Free

Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.

Psalm 118:5

free [free] adjective

enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery
pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty
clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor
enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent

One of my European cousins has often commented on the American’s obsession with freedom. I must admit, I love the freedoms granted by our Constitution. Why? Because freedom means choice. It means I am free to be who God created me to be.

Freedom is also a very important spiritual concept, more important than national freedom. In fact, a person cannot be completely free unless they have been set free from sin. Most Americans have not experienced the bondage of physical slavery, but we all have been in bondage to sin. But because Jesus died for us on the cross, we have been set free.

The Hebrew word for freedom used in the verse above is merchab which means a broad roomy place. or wide expanses. Merchab is derived from the root word rachab which means to grow large, to grow wide. One of the things Jesus frees us from is distresses, metsar in the Hebrew. Metsar, which means trouble, pains, or tight places, when traced to its root also means, stomach. From the previous definitions, we can infer our worries keep us small, stunt our growth, hem us in, and tie our stomach in knots.

Ironically, Jesus sets us free so we can experience true freedom by becoming … slaves of Christ. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. When Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed.

Action Points

A slave does the will of his Master. What area/s of life are you still controlling?
Because you are safe in the hands of your Master, what are you free to do?
What are the blessings of living according to the will of the Good Master?
How does being a slave of Christ bring freedom?

God Bless America.

We hope you enjoy the music below.

“free.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Jun. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/firm>.

7 Days of Freedom, Day 2: Liberty

18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captive, and recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

Luke 4:18-19

liberty [lib-er-tee] Noun

freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint
freedom or right to frequent or use a place
freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control

The Greek transliterations for liberty is aphesis. In the Greek, aphesis means “release from bondage or imprisonment; forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty.” Did you notice the part in the parenthesis? God lets go our sins as if they had never been committed. Why does He allow this? Our sins have already been paid in full at the cross. According to the Dictionary.com definition, liberty means we have the “right to frequent or use a place.” Because of the cross, we have the liberty to frequent the throne of grace and boldly ask God to meet our needs.

The cry of the American patriot Patrick Henry, in the face of the American Revolution was, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” How prophetic. As Christians we have the same options: liberty or death. We choose.

Christ sets us free from sin so we have the liberty not to live for self (we already tried that once), but for Him. We have liberty to do good works, serve others, and take the Gospel of freedom to every nation on earth.

As we draw near to Independence Day, remember to thank God for not only for the liberty of our nation, but of our souls as well.

Action Points:

What is something you need to be set free from?
Who needs to hear about the liberty we have in Christ? How can you share the Gospel with this person?
Pray for nations that are closed to the Gospel. To see a list of countries in need of prayer, please click on the following link: Closed Countries

Please enjoy the music below.

God Bless America.

“liberty.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Jun. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/firm>.

7 Days of Freedom, Day 1: Truth

31 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31-32

Truth [trooth] noun

1. the true or actual state of a matter

2. conformity with fact or reality; verity

3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like

4. the state or character of being true

5. actuality or actual existence.

The definition from Dictionary.com gives us a decent yet incomplete definition of the word truth. To learn the complete truth about truth we must turn to the source of all truth, Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Our verse above tells us that we find the truth in the Word of God. God is the Father and creator of all truth. If science, philosophy, religions, or false religions contain a grain of truth, it is God’s truth.

As Americans we are blessed with great freedoms. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution list the many liberties of United States citizens. While in all outward appearances we look free; our souls may be in great bondage to sin. Our physical freedom was wrought by muskets and cannons, in contrast our spiritual freedom was won by the cross. Knowing the truth of our spiritual condition-we are lost, and the truth of salvation-only by the cross of Christ, we are set free from the bondage of sin and death.

Have you accepted the truth of your condition and the freedom made possible by the cross of Christ? If the answer is no, please click on the link below to learn how to accept Christ as your Savior.

The Way to God

Jesus … know Him, know truth.

Action Points

Ask God to show you areas of your life in which you are not living in His truth.
God’s Word is truth. How can you get more truth in your life?
Listen to your words today. Are you speaking God’s truth into your experiences?

Please take a moment to remember those who have gone before us.

God Bless America.

“truth.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 28 Jun. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/firm>.

Short & Sweet: She Gave

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.

Mark 12:41-44

She gave everything.

Many would say the widow’s story is one of generosity. Undoubtedly, the nameless widow was generous. But I think more than generosity, the widow’s story is about faith; not faith in the church or faith in neighbors, but faith in the Savior. Her faith was big, so her gift was big. Even when giving something meant giving everything, she gave. Her bank account was small, but her faith beyond measure.

Widow, by the Greek definition, refers to elderly “widows” whom the synagogue supports. Note to reader: the poor widow had two mites (3/8 of a cent) to live on. Makes one wonder about synagogue support. However, the widow gave everything to a synagogue who gave her, by all appearances, nothing. Ironically, Jesus praises her gift, but lets slide the gifts of the rich. She gave … they made contributions. There’s a difference. Giving: gut level stuff – blood, sweat and tears. Contributions: skin deep – neat, tidy, and easy.

Rich/poor … wealthy/widows … millions/mites.

Isn’t it wonderful that the widow’s greatest gift came during the season of her greatest need? And her Savior saw. He knew her need and her gift. He was right there, within reach when she gave her gift. Did she know? … did her heart burn inside her as she gave her gift?

Why do we give anything? … or better yet, why don’t we give everything? Because our faith is small. The widow’s gift gives us great hope that we can give out of our poverty and smallness. I have given something, I have given nothing, but I have never given everything. Maybe it is only when we are deeply needy that we truly give.

Action Points:

What is God calling you to give?
What have you already given, but still need to give more … everything?
Pray for God to give you the courage to give your two small coins. Ask Him to multiply them and use them for His kingdom.

Life is sweet.

To-Do List by Mary Kane

I am a list maker. I like to start out my day with a list of tasks I need to complete. I feel great satisfaction in accomplishing and crossing items off my to-do list. God is a list maker as well, the 10 Commandments is perhaps His greatest to-do list. In 1 Peter 4, God gives us another list: four things to do when we are suffering.

Please take a moment and go before God in prayer. Confess to Him any sin, and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Please read 1 Peter 4:13-16, 19.

In verse 13, what is our first to-do when we are suffering?

How deeply are we to rejoice?

The word for rejoice used in verse 13 is chairo, which means, “to be well, to thrive, to be glad.” It also means, “let the hope of future blessedness bring you joy.” So while we are suffering we must focus forward, knowing God has a great blessing for us. To the extent we have suffered, we will be blessed!

Verse 16 names another suffering to-do. What is it?

The word glorify means “to praise, to honor, to make renowned.” If God wants us to praise Him through our suffering, there must be some thing praiseworthy in our suffering. If we can’t see anything praise-worthy at the moment, let’s praise by faith.

Verse 18 names two more to-do’s when suffering. Please name them.

We are to trust God is good, and continue to do good. The temptation when suffering is to become self-focused. When our attention is completely riveted on our pain, it intensifies. Doing good brings healing to our souls, encourages others, and glorifies God.

Name one item from the to-do list you will do and how you will accomplish it.

Thank you for joining me today for Bible study!

Short & Sweet: Keep Calm and Carry On, by Mary Kane

Nourishment and Refreshment for your soul.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1

It’s everywhere: Keep Calm and Carry On. This famous British slogan from World War II, is currently emblazoned on T-shirts, billboards, magazines, and advertisements.

During World War II, the British government issued many morale-boosting posters. According to keepcalmandcarryon.com, “The plan in place for this poster was to issue it only upon the invasion of Britain by Germany. As this never happened, the poster was never officially seen by the public.” The rest of the story is history.

God also wants us to “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Why? Because He is our sovereign Father, who knows what we need before we even ask Him. How do we keep calm? By continuing to believe Him, despite our circumstances.

If you have lost your job … keep calm and carry on.

If you are facing the thing you feared would come … keep calm and carry on.

If the hardship has come upon you which you said you could never survive … keep calm and carry on.

If in the face of your greatest heartbreak, loss, or hardship … keep calm and carry on.

Until Jesus comes back or calls you home … keep calm and carry on.

Action Points:

Name an action you will take today to show God you trust Him.
Every time you start to worry today (America’s favorite pastime), replace worry with prayer.
Speak a Bible verses instead of anxious words.

Life is sweet.

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