Freedom in Christ

Freedom in Christ To give hope to those who realize they have freedom in Christ In Christ all are free

06/07/2020

Dateline April 30: Welcome to day 45 or so of the quarantine - depending on where you live in the world. First it was 'let's flatten the curve'. Then it has become 'beware of the second wave!' Then it might be 'we can't be sure having had the virus grants you immunity...' Then it might be something else to worry about before we can get back to .normal'. Things may seem to be out of control. Life can become stressful for some of us.

So... Is God asleep in His virus-free realm, enjoying the good life and letting the earth run its troublesome course on 'automatic'. Is He even aware of our circumstances? Does He even care about what is going on down here? And if He did, is He able to do anything about it? Jesus left the following message on his answering machine.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matt. 10:29-31)

Maybe one of your loved ones is a 'sparrow that has fallen to the ground'. Maybe another loved one is the 2,954,439th person in the world to test positive for Covid-19. May I suggest that our loving Father is totally aware of your 'fallen sparrow', and that He knows that your loved one is the 2,954,439th person to be infected? He is in control and values each of us more than a common sparrow. Be of good courage.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 29: It's only been a few hours since I last ate but I am already getting a little hungry. I might have to go hunting for something to snack on. But, what if we were not given the automatic sense of getting hungry, driving us to eat? Interesting thought. Would we forget to nourish ourselves and gradually waste away and perhaps die of starvation? Same is true for the sensation of thirst and our desire to quench it.

Jesus had some thoughts about hunger and thirst, but he wasn't thinking about literal food. After all, He replied to the devil that "man should not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (quoting Deut. 8:3). After his 40-day battle with the devil, he gave the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Early on in his message he stated, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6)

Jesus knew the human soul needed more than food and drink. After performing the miracle of feeding 5000 men plus family (?) with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, the people came back the next day for more of the same. So Jesus used this opportunity as a teaching moment and told them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life." (John 6:35, 47-48).

Good food and drink is great, but believing in Christ, knowing who He is, who the Father is and who we are in God's care gives us real purpose and peace of mind that money cannot buy. There is also the reward of eternal life as a bonus! Can it get any better? Spending regular time with God in prayer and in the study of His word is like getting '3 squares' a day. It satisfies and it's good for you.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 28: When a crown jeweler is commissioned to create a new crown for a king or queen, the jeweler takes the utmost care to select the finest gold, silver and platinum, the choicest gemstones and other quality fabrics (velvet, silk, furs, etc.). The selection process is meticulous. The standards are very high. The Imperial State Crown worn by the Queen of England is adorned with 2,901 precious stones (diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds and rubies).

Did you know that our God views His people as His jewels, His treasured possessions? He is in the process of carefully selecting the materials for the 'crown' He is making. The prophet Malachi at the end of the Old Testament era looked forward to a time when God would be selecting His redeemed people.

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make up My jewels (treasured possession). And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” (Malachi 3:16-17)

It is encouraging to note that those who trust in the Lord speak often to one another. God hears them and writes their names in His book of remembrance for the time when he makes upo His jewels. He promises to spare us as one would guard and protect his/her own beloved child. Let's take heart in this.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 27: When the coronavirus pandemic eventually passes, it certainly will be nice to be able to invite friends over for dinner again. I, for one, miss those occasions. But have we considered who else we might invite when this pandemic is over? How about those who don't get invites for one reason or another? Or someone severely affected by the fallout from the pandemic?

Jesus once was invited to the home of a high-ranking religious leader and he noticed who was invited - close friends, rich people, relatives, and other important people. In typical fashion, Jesus proceeded to give his host a little valuable instruction: “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

Jesus invites all of us to the ultimate wedding feast in heaven (Rev. 19:9). Yes, us lowly human beings with all of our warts and scars! He values each of us and has a place at the table with our name on it. That is just how Jesus the Father are. Meanwhile, back on earth, we might find it worthwhile to be like Jesus and reach out to someone who cannot return the favor. It might be fun.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 26: Maybe you can remember growing up and waiting impatiently for your mother to serve the apple pie for dessert. Each of us kids would clamor for the biggest piece. Of course, it was not physically possible for everyone to have the biggest piece. In our house, we quickly learned that the one who insisted on getting the largest slice ended up getting the smallest piece and if we complained, that little piece was taken away!

My parents probably took a cue from Jesus. He once was invited to a very important person's home for dinner and he noted how the bigwigs at the party chose the best tables on the upper level looking down on those of lesser importance. Where you sat at such a feast was very important in this circle of company. For Jesus, the time was ripe for delivering an instructive parable to His host.

“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be put down, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)

Our Savior Jesus led the way, 'taking the lowest place' by living and dying as a human so that we could be exalted with Him at the resurrection. This is just who Jesus is. This is also how the Father thinks. We too have plenty of ways to offer the 'biggest slice' or the 'highest seat' to someone else. It is the way that a disciple of Jesus would be and would live.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 25: Jesus' disciples were often preoccupied with trying to figure out who would be the greatest in the kingdom. We saw in an earlier 'word for the day' that Jesus instructed them that they would have to become as little children before they could even enter the kingdom of heaven, let alone be the greatest..But Jesus did tell them on two separate occasions how someone could be considered great.

One one occasion while they were traveling on the road, Jesus caught them disputing among themselves about who would be the greatest. So He sat down, called the twelve over to Him, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be the very last of all and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) On another occasion, just MINUTES before taking the Lord's Supper, the disciples were at it again, arguing about who should be considered the greatest. Jesus had a lot on His mind that evening, but he patiently reminded them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves." (Luke 22:26). To drive His point home, he then washed the disciples' feet as an example of servanthood. The great Lord of the universe humbled Himself and performed a task normally reserved for the lowest of servants. Several hours later he submitted Himself to the humiliating and excruciating crucifixion process, to be the ultimate servant of all.

Aren't we so fortunate to have a God who defines greatness in terms of humility and servanthood rather than besting the competition? Jesus lived this way of greatness because each of us are valuable in His sight and the 'price' He paid was worth it. That's encouraging news! He also lived this way of greatness as an example for us to emulate. So... want to be great? In one sense, we already are. But if we were following Jesus' example, we would be looking to "wash someone's feet" at the next opportunity.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 24: Yesterday, we read about the qualities of little children that Jesus recommends we emulate. But the analogy is extended to even smaller children - infants, babies - humans that don't yet really know yet how to express themselves, but still can show affection, a desire for food and attachment and absolute dependence on an adult

Peter wrote: "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow up into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Pet. 2:1-2)

Many of us have had children or grandchildren and can remember the intense desire of a hungry newborn baby to find the source of milk, whether from a bottle or its mother's breast, and then the baby's calm satisfaction and peace when feeding. Likewise the word of God can satisfy us and give us peace and hope. Jesus Himself said we should search the Scriptures, for in them we have eternal life because they testify of Him (John 5:39). Let us become more like newborns, hungering for and drinking in the pure milk of the word. Most likely, our perspective of things in this life will also change for the better.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 23: My wife and I have been blessed with two grandchildren that make our lives that much more worthwhile. Most of the time they are charming. On occasions they can be trying. Other times, they are just plain foolish, But two characteristics that stand out in smaller children is their complete sense of trust and their lack of 'get even' retribution. They forgive easily and have not yet learned to hold grudges.

Little children are central to Jesus' gospel message. One time, the disciples asked Jesus who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He replied, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:2-3). On another occasion, parents were bringing their little children to be blessed by Jesus and the disciples were annoyed that their leader should be bothered by insignificant 'rug rats'. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10: 14-15). Matthew and Luke also record that event.

We see that Jesus emphasizes how important is to be humble and trusting as a little child when it comes to receiving His message of hope. It is a prerequisite for entry into the kingdom of God. Just as little children inherently trust their parents or grandparents for everything, likewise we need to trust our God, our Father and Savior for everything without worry of retribution Let us simplify our emotions by just trusting Him in a more childlike way.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 22: What is occupying your thoughts these days? While I am doing my chores, my mind can wander into all sorts of directions. Sometime I wonder how I got from what I started thinking about to what I found myself thinking about a moment later. Or my mind might dwell on a certain (usually negative) thought in a seemingly endless cycle. It has been said we are as we think.

Years ago, the apostle Paul gave us some words of wisdom on how we can avoid being anxious about things and how we can have the peace of God. Rather than dwell on the negative, we need to focus on the positive. Paul said, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Phil 4:8)

Surely we can identify things that fit in these categories. Let's proactively meditate on these things and our life will feel a lot brighter and lighter.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 21: There is a lot to complain about these days and for some, perhaps rightfully so. Income may have been reduced or lost. You can't go to your favorite restaurant any more and you don't like your own cooking! Enjoy a movie or a football game with friends - nope. Can't find the 'essential' products or supplies at the stores - yup! And even the churches have been shut down. Yet, despite all this, we are reminded that we should always be rejoicing and be giving thanks.

Here is what Paul wrote to church members in Thessalonica who were living under the boot of Roman rule. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

Apparently giving thanks at all times is not just a nice idea - it is actually the will of our God and our Lord Jesus. Paul later wrote in Hebrews 12:2 that even Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, endured the shame of the cross for us with joy, and now is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.

Maybe each of us should stop a moment , reflect, look around us, and make a written list of what we are thankful for. It might surprise us... and make us more thankful.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 20: There are many scriptures that I memorized as a child and can still recite today. They form a hedge around me in times of tumult, when things seem to be lacking, or when the valley of the shadow of death seems real. One is the six-verse passage in Psalm 23:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

In these days when the supermarkets run out of toilet paper and other essentials, we will not lack.
When the news is all about the mounting number of virus cases and deaths, He will bring us safely through the valley of death.
When the authorities keep tightening the quarantine restrictions, we need not be troubled.
Looking at the big picture, He is with us, He is for us and He promises we will dwell safely and happily in His house, forever.

06/07/2020

Dateline April 19: In this era of the corona virus, those who are in various positions of authority (from mayors to the president) have issued executive orders that have significantly changed the way we live our daily lives more than any change of elected president has ever caused. At the stroke of a pen our lives can suddenly become complicated. For Christians, it has radically changed our style of communion, community, fellowship and worship. Some are worried that our rights and freedoms are being taken from us. But Paul had some words for us while he lived under the tyranny of Rome. You may consider how it applies to you personally today.

"Therefore I encourage first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

We see that praying (and giving thanks!) for our leaders is of foremost importance and is considered good and acceptable in God's sight. But why do we pray? According to Paul it is (1) so we can lead a quiet, peaceable and godly life and (2) so that doors will be opened to lead all people to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Let us so pray.

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