35: 50 Days Freed

Paul was a man who knew what it was like to be freed. He was once one of the fiercest opponents of this new Christian faith that in his eyes, and those he associated with, that this was a rough group that must be cut off before they infected the mainstream. He had made it his mission to search out and execute anyone who did not reject this new practice. Yet Jesus saw something in this man that no one else did. He took Saul and offered him a chance to change his ways and follow Him. In that moment Saul accepting what Jesus was offering changing his name to Paul as an outward sign of his inward change.

 

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.  All glory to God forever and ever! Amen

Galatians 1: 1-5

 

Paul knew firsthand what it was like to receive an audible calling from Jesus. This type of call to believe is rare but not unheard of these days. There are reports of stories of Muslim men and woman being spoken to by Jesus and then repenting choosing to give up everything to follow Christ.  I believe we are so overwhelmed by entertainment here in the east that we do not know how to block it out and hear his voice. I can attest to this as last night as I was at our churches prayer time I was bombarded with things that distracted me on focusing on prayer. I left feeling discouraged and wondering if I just wasted an hour of my time.

 

I am finding it hard to separate myself from the entertainment of the world. There is always a great new TV show or movie to watch. Maybe it is the latest novels that are enjoyable to you. Yet we avoid or spend minimal time investing in the bible which is written with the intent of us learning the heart of God. We see later in Galatians 1 that Paul writes that he was freed in Christ but did not run headfirst into the ministry, he waited three years to pray and learn, asking God for direction and purpose. He separated himself from the old ways that had put him on a path of destruction. How effective would Paul have been if he had accepted Christ but still hung out with the people who were killing believers?

 

I guess the question I ask myself as well as you, is do we truly want to be rescued from this evil world?  Or are the pleasures so good that they feel like to leave them behind is asking too much? I don’t have the answer for you, but I know this if we trust God and dig into His word asking Him to guide our path He will put our feet on the path of freedom. Only then will we become effective in sharing our faith with others. And that is our ultimate mission is it not?

 

Father, I pray for grace and peace to all who read this message. I ask today that you guide us to the path of freedom. Holy Spirit move in us to dig deep into the bible asking questions and receiving answers. Help us to choose Jesus over the distractions of this world and become effective in sharing our faith with others. If we want to truly escape the evils of the world we need to recognize them, help us to see what is hindering our faith. We pray that we become stronger bearers of the light and shine brighter than ever before. We pray for freedom. Amen

4: 50 Days Freed

The bondage of sin that entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God did not just affect mankind. The whole creation was placed into bondage slowly starting a cycle of decay. Adam was entrusted to take care of the earth, look after all that was in it, that was his to be his main priority in life. When sin entered his priorities changed from looking after the earth to looking after himself and his family.

 

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8:20-21

 

There is a reason that people are determined to fight for the planet. We have an innate characteristic that binds us to this earth, one to take care of it and protect it. Not because we are bound by it, but because it was our original role. Many have taken this to extremes, worshipping the creation over the creator. The earth was made for us to use and maintain but never to worship. It was meant to point us to the creator God showing us he loves us so much to give us such beauty.

 

The earth worships God, the earth itself is not an entity or being but nature is connected to the creator. If we won’t worship the rocks will cry out. The earth moans in the wake of childbirth. These references may sound human-like, but they resound of an earth trapped in bondage waiting for the day it gets back to the original plan. Revelation promises that when Jesus returns he will set his kingdom here on a new earth. This earth will not be destroyed but reborn. Restoration of the way it was, the return of the Garden, a revival of animals gone extinct. My thoughts anyways, but when freedom comes the natural disasters that plagued us now will be gone. The earth settling down and finally able to rest and spin with peace.

 

How does the freedom we hope for the earth relate to us? This bondage that was put on the earth is put on us. Whether we choose to believe it or not. The earth only has to look forward to its realise from this bondage. It cannot get any relief until that time. We, on the other hand, have been given the answer to our bondage problem. Jesus has provided a way free from the bondage of sin. We no longer have to stand idly by and wait for the freedom we can take hold of it in our lives and start living free. Once we have been set free we must make it our life’s mission to share it with others. If we don’t who will? Don’t expect someone else to do what God is calling you to do. Free people can free people.

 

Father, I pray that today you will rescue others from this bondage of sin that is holding people down. Work in their hearts to accept the freedom Jesus has for them if they would only humble themselves and ask him for the forgiveness of their sin. Motivate those who are believers to share their faith with others. Help us as caretakers of this earth to respect it and keep it healthy as it too is struggling under the weight of sin. Come soon Jesus and set up your new earth. Amen

Day 40: 50 Days All In

Kevin Ott uses a story of living our lives in a cardboard castle. We live in it enthralled with its beauty, fantasizing about how great it is to live here. Yet outside the box is a real castle, clothed in every jewel, precious metal and lush fabrics. Inside the box we are so caught up in our world that we don’t want to poke our head out to see what life outside the box looks like. We can choose to live our lives all in the box, or we can have an all in relationship with God, but you can’t have it both ways.

 

 

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:2-3 NLT

Life here on earth is like living in the cardboard castle. We are satisfied with what is available to us right here right now. God promises us that there is a better place, a perfect place that outshines this far and dreary world. He promises that those who accept Jesus and follow him will experience this place. Those who have accepted Jesus have seen a glimpse of what life will be like with the love that comes from Jesus.

So, we sit in the cardboard box. Most don’t really know how to get out, many having no desire to. Some believe the box just created itself out of nothing, and one day the box will just implode upon itself completing a cycle of life. Some believe that there are many ways out of the box and each one leads to the same place. Jesus tells us that no one comes to the Father but through Him. No leader on earth, no man or woman, has ever made that claim. Jesus is the only way to get out of the box.

Back to reality now. Our lives are meant for so much more. We are being drawn to God, as it is our hearts’ ultimate desire. We were created to have a relationship with the creator. We can’t worship the creation it won’t bring us closer to the creator. Sin separates us from the creator. Jesus is the creator. John 1 tells us this. Jesus the creator, came to his creation, died and rose again so that we can have a relationship with him. Sin is defeated and can be forgiven for those who only ask forgiveness from the creator.

It is time for us as believers to start sharing more about what Jesus has done for us. We need to be more purposeful in our words and actions. It is time for our love for the Father to pour out of our lives on a daily basis. If we truly know what life is outside the box, then we must be willing to share it with those here with us. Be bold take hold of the all in relationship that is available outside the box.

Jesus, let us be bold in sharing our faith with others. Give us daily moments that we can see and use to tell others about your love, let us be faithful in inviting people to church. Help us to love them as you love them. None are unworthy of your grace, we cannot pick and choose who we share your love with. They all matter to you, so they matter to me. Let me live all in. Amen