September 4, 2012
Made to Be Free
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (Galatians 5:1, NLT).
Friend to Friend
The story is told of an Indian village that held an annual bazaar where villagers came to sell the crafts and wares they made during the year as well as the animals they had raised. One year, a man brought a covey of quail to sell. In order to display the birds, he tied one end of a piece of string to one of their legs and the other end of the string to a stake in the ground.
All day long shoppers passed by - watching the birds walk in a circle around the stake. No one seemed interested in buying them until a religious man approached and asked how much the merchant wanted for them. The merchant named an exorbitant price, which the religious man quickly paid and immediately instructed the merchant to set the birds free. When the merchant asked why he was willing to pay so much for the birds and then let them go, the religious man simply responded, “Because they were created to be free.”
The merchant didn’t understand but shrugged his shoulders and cut the strings, setting the birds free. The quail continued marching in a circle around the stake. The buyer stepped into the middle of the circle and scattered the birds. They flew a few yards, landed and once again began to march in a circle. The quail were free – but did not know it.
We all seek freedom. With our very first breath, we come into this world kicking and screaming for freedom. The desire to be free was tucked into our very soul by God Himself as He formed us in the womb. God promises to provide a right way to fill our need of freedom.
Freedom comes with truth.
In John 8:32 we find the promise, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (NIV). To know truth, we must first know God because He is truth. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” When we come to Jesus Christ in a personal relationship, we will experience true freedom for the first time - freedom from sin - freedom from condemnation and death and freedom to really live. Without truth, there can be no freedom.
Freedom comes with obedience.
Obedience calls us to challenge every priority in our lives and lay aside anything that hinders our walk with God. Instead, we refuse to forsake cherished sin, allowing wrong attitudes to take root and prosper while harmful habits hold us prisoner. The writer of Hebrews offers compelling direction for the captured soul longing to be free. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Obedience brings freedom.
Freedom comes with understanding.
Until we understand who we are in His eyes, we will never truly be free. Our value and worth rest solely in the fact that we were created, chosen and pursued by God – for God. We belong to Him. His unconditional love not only sets us free to become all He created us to be but allows us to be more than we ever dreamed we could be. In Romans 5:8 the words of Paul celebrate our identity in Him, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners.” Recognizing our worth and value to God sets us free from the chains of human expectations and earthly demands. Understanding brings freedom.
Christ really has set us free. The question is - are we living in that freedom? Don’t live another day chained to the old ways in your life. Seek His truth, walk in obedience and celebrate your God-created identity! Free! Free at last!
Let’s Pray
Father, Icome to You today, celebrating the freedom that can only be found in You. Lord, I am so sorry for doubting You when life is hard. Forgive me for questioning Your plan when it seems to make no sense. I want to be a woman of faith who trusts You no matter what happens. Help me become a godly woman who walks in faith. Please strengthen me for every trial ahead. Take my heart and mind captive and make them Yours. Today, I choose faith over fear and trust over doubt.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read and memorize Hebrews 12:1 that says, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Examine your life for any weight that is keeping you from experiencing the peace and freedom God offers. Is it a secret sin or habit? Has God asked you to do something you are unwilling to do? Are you ready to lay down that weight? Right now, make the deliberate choice to fully surrender every part of your life to God. Pray and ask God to honor and empower that choice.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help? Mary’s E=Bible Study, How to Find Your Missing Peace, can show you how to experience real freedom. Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey and learn how to discover and live out God’s plan and purpose for your life. (Join now and have access to all topics covered in 2012.) Be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com
.jpg)