21 August 2017
Real Freedom
Psalm 42:8
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
I read an article last week about a country whose people collectively don’t know where life and freedom comes from. Read here for yourself how the “free” money people receive in Sweden actually makes them totally and completely NOT free.
Praying to God who gives me life... Knowing where life comes from gives a person real perspective and affects their thinking. Besides knowing we were each specifically created with complexity and uniqueness, (see Psalm 139) we also know that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is to have a relationship with our Creator...
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
(Revelation 4:11)
And Jesus elaborates (in John 10:9-10) when he says that our life is meant to be “rich” and “full.”
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.
They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
We live and come and go freely because that is God’s intention. He is the One who gives LIFE. That means he also has given us our freedom, creativity, industriousness, and a whole host of invisible qualities like compassion, empathy and love. No existing authority has given us Life and purpose or has the power to take it away.
Unfortunately, those who don’t know or don’t care that God is the One who gives Life will foolishly allow an authority to take their freedoms from them in exchange for something that appeals to their human way of thinking. The truth is, no one needs free handouts because God’s instructions to us are to work hard (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and to take care of the needy among us (James 1:27). Living God’s purpose for our lives is real freedom. Letting someone else usurp freedom in exchange for money, safety or anything else is not.
Dear God,
We live in troubling times these days, as seen in the news, because people have no idea where life comes from and what we are to do with it. I pray that you will continue to protect me and my family from their arrogance and ignorance. Help me to lead a quiet life, work hard, and be thankful like you have instructed. Thank you that I can enjoy a rich, full life like you intend in spite of the unqualified people making global decisions for me because my rich, full life doesn’t depend on them, it is a gift from you, and I am so thankful. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Real Freedom
Psalm 42:8
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
I read an article last week about a country whose people collectively don’t know where life and freedom comes from. Read here for yourself how the “free” money people receive in Sweden actually makes them totally and completely NOT free.
Praying to God who gives me life... Knowing where life comes from gives a person real perspective and affects their thinking. Besides knowing we were each specifically created with complexity and uniqueness, (see Psalm 139) we also know that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is to have a relationship with our Creator...
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
(Revelation 4:11)
And Jesus elaborates (in John 10:9-10) when he says that our life is meant to be “rich” and “full.”
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.
They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
We live and come and go freely because that is God’s intention. He is the One who gives LIFE. That means he also has given us our freedom, creativity, industriousness, and a whole host of invisible qualities like compassion, empathy and love. No existing authority has given us Life and purpose or has the power to take it away.
Unfortunately, those who don’t know or don’t care that God is the One who gives Life will foolishly allow an authority to take their freedoms from them in exchange for something that appeals to their human way of thinking. The truth is, no one needs free handouts because God’s instructions to us are to work hard (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and to take care of the needy among us (James 1:27). Living God’s purpose for our lives is real freedom. Letting someone else usurp freedom in exchange for money, safety or anything else is not.
Dear God,
We live in troubling times these days, as seen in the news, because people have no idea where life comes from and what we are to do with it. I pray that you will continue to protect me and my family from their arrogance and ignorance. Help me to lead a quiet life, work hard, and be thankful like you have instructed. Thank you that I can enjoy a rich, full life like you intend in spite of the unqualified people making global decisions for me because my rich, full life doesn’t depend on them, it is a gift from you, and I am so thankful. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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