Eager To Be Free

“Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”  Jude 1:23

God is perfectly able to hate sin and still show mercy.  Calvary was His ultimate demonstration of that!  His loathing for sin, combined with His fierce love for mankind, drove Him to offer Himself as the atonement for our sin.

We humans struggle with finding that balance.  It’s usually “either/or” for us.  To those for whom compassion rules the day, calling people to forsake their sin seems harsh and uncaring.  Conversely, hating sin is very often accompanied by a legalistic, unbending adherence to a set of rules, which can produce cruel results.

Neither reflects the heart of God.  God hates sin, but He loves people!  Sin is loathsome to Him because of what it does to people.  Until Jesus came, there was no way to separate sin from the person who committed it.  Both had to be condemned!

In taking our sin upon Himself, however, Jesus Christ forever removed our sin from us, as far as the East is from the West!  When we choose to receive His amazing gift of salvation, God hides us “in Christ” so we may stand in His presence without fault or blemish.  Hallelujah!

PONDER: Am I an “either/or” person?  On which side of this issue does my heart usually reside?

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for showing mercy to me!  Help me eagerly pass it on without ever minimizing sin’s destructive power in people’s lives.

Tags: balance, blemish, Calvary, compassion, demonstration, destructive power, fierce, legalistic, mercy, ultimate
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“He (the king) called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God!  Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”  Daniel 6:20b

King Darius spent a miserable, sleepless night, wondering if the God of the Hebrews is real and able to deliver.  He’s in this predicament as a result of a stupid, unalterable law he was duped into signing, never dreaming it was a plot against his most trusted adviser, Daniel.

Daniel hadn’t wavered in His worship and service to God, even though it meant being fed to the lions.

And now, at first light, Darius rushes to the lion’s den, breathless to know whether Daniel’s God has indeed rescued him, hoping against hope for a miracle.

God is so ready to prove Himself to anyone who seeks Him.  This miracle, though it blessed Daniel greatly, was really for the benefit of the pagan king.  Darius embraced Daniel’s God, then issued a proclamation of God’s praises throughout his kingdom.

PONDER: How many Dariuses are there in my life who are hoping that what they see in me is proof that God really does exist?  Can I welcome the difficult circumstances of my life as opportunities for God to show Himself?

PRAYER: Lord, give me Your perspective.  Help me trust that everything You allow in my life gives You the chance to prove Yourself, not only to me, but also to  those who are looking for You, hoping You are really real.

Tags: anguish, King Darius, miracle, perspective, plot, predicament, proclamation, servant
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“Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.”  Proverbs 19:16

How many of us have viewed God’s commands as His way of making sure we don’t have too much fun as we travel through life?  Where did we ever get the idea that God is some kind of cosmic kill-joy?

These are lies straight out of the pit of hell, orchestrated by the enemy of our souls,  whose goal, Jesus said, is to “rob, kill, and destroy” those whom God loves.

The Lord knows what keeps us from experiencing life’s best.  His commandments reflect His desire that we live life to the fullest, enjoying all His precious gifts.

Christ is like the “mine-sweep” who, having safely navigated the mine-field of life,  points out the dangers ahead.  Yet, we are leery.  We don’t trust His heart.

Satan entices us with the identical lie he used in the Garden.  Once he created suspicion as to God’s intentions, he was able to lure Adam and Eve into his trap.  We’ve all fallen prey to that same scheme!

PONDER:  How do I see God?  Do I believe His desires and plans are for my best, or do I suspect Him of withholding something from me?

PRAYER:  Forgive me, Lord, for believing the enemy’s lies.  I want to know the Truth, which will free me to experience the abundant life You promised.  Your Word is Truth.  Intensify my “hunger” for it.  Strengthen my desire to know and trust You more!

Tags: commandments, cosmic, destroy, enemy, identical, intentions, lure, reflect, suspicion
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“The Lord is good…he knows everyone who trusts in him.”  Nahum 1:7

He knows!  Those of you counting on Him to be your salvation, your righteousness, your strength, and your provision, should be greatly encouraged.  The Lord knows who you are, and He can’t help responding to your believing heart.

God is keenly aware when even the tiniest glimmer of trust begins to flicker in the heart of one of His creatures.   Scripture declares that His eyes roam to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of anyone who is committed to trusting Him. (II Chronicles 16:9)

Only in trusting God can we ever fully please Him.  (Hebrews  11:6) The good news is:  it is not about our performance!  That will always fall short, because we are human.

But those who trust in Christ are automatically considered righteous through what Christ did on the cross.  He was made sin for us so we might be made righteous through Him.  (II Corinthians 5:23) It doesn’t depend on me!

PONDER: Have I rested my full “weight” on Jesus, trusting Him as God’s only provision for my salvation and sanctification?  Or do I feel there is still some part of this whole process that depends on me?

PRAYER: Lord, open my eyes to the many times You’ve declared in your Word that I am made right with You by trusting in what Jesus has done for me.  It’s a gift!  It cannot be earned — only received.

Tags: glimmer, II Chronicles, II Corinthians, performance, provision, righteous, salvation, sanctification, weight
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“My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the most High…” Daniel 4:34b

King Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful kings who ever lived, is writing to  all his subjects, worldwide (4:1), recounting his blatant disregard for a very specific warning from God concerning his arrogance.

One year after God predicted it, Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity.  Apparently thinking he was a cow, he lived and ate with the cattle for seven years.  Then one day, his sanity returned, and he acknowledged the One and Only True God.

What strikes me is how he openly recalls the humiliating details of his saga, with little or no regard for what people will think of him.    His goal is obviously to highlight the undeserved mercy and grace of this amazing God who has restored him.

Too many of us attempt to hide our past, rather than expose it to showcase God’s kindness and His power to change even the worst sinner.  Our sense of shame keeps our focus on us and how we will be received rather than on God and how He could be glorified.

PONDER: Does God have complete access to my story?  Am I willing to tell it if He prompts me to?  What’s holding me back?

PRAYER: Lord, take my eyes off myself.  Help me care more about Your glory than my reputation.  If you can use my story, it’s Yours.  Help me know if, when, and how to share it appropriately for the glory of God.

Tags: arrogance, cattle, hiding, King Nebuchadnezzar, reputation, sanity, shame, stupidity, warning
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“May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.  Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live…”  II Thessalonians 1:11b,12a

What good things does my faith prompt me to do?  Am I doing them or putting them off, allowing my busy schedule, favorite TV programs, or personal desires to dictate when, or even if, I respond?

Perhaps I seldom sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do good things.  Why is that, I wonder?  Could it be that I have drowned out His voice with all the noise and clutter I’ve allowed in my life?

Elijah discovered that God doesn’t speak in the earthquake, wind, and fire.   Rather, His voice is “still” and “small,” and we must take time to listen, get quiet, and rest in His presence if His promptings are to be discerned.

What a shame that, in a world so desperately in need of Jesus, our inability to sense His promptings, or our failure to accomplish the good things He inspires, might hide Him from those who are in such need of His love.

PONDER: How sensitive is my heart to the voice of God?  What is it that too often drowns out His promptings?

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for getting caught up in a lifestyle that minimizes Your impact on this world through my life.  Draw me to that place where honoring You is my deepest desire.

Tags: accomplish, clutter, drowned, Elijah, noise, prompting, quiet, sensitive, Thessalonians
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“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him…  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6,7

“Lord, give me peace!”  How many times have we prayed those exact words?  Yet, in today’s Scripture, God tells us that peace begins with a decision on our part.  “Don’t worry…instead, pray…tell God what you need, and thank Him…” THEN, you will experience His peace.

Peace is a choice!  I cannot create peace, but I can choose not to worry.  I can deliberately move my focus from the problem/person who has filled my heart with anxiety to the God who promises that nothing escapes His loving care.  He works all things for my good.

God assures that once that decision is made, we will experience something we could not even comprehend before.  It seems utterly impossible that with no change in our outward circumstances,  our hearts–which moments earlier were racing with fear and turmoil– could find themselves quiet and at rest.  That’s the miracle of God’s peace!

PONDER: When I’m anxious…upset, where is my focus?  Am I willing to take God at His Word, make the choice not to worry?

PRAYER: Lord, I can’t comprehend how this works, but I choose now to refocus, to stop worrying, to pray instead and thank You for Your answers.

Tags: anxious, choose, circumstances, comprehend, decision, experience, pray, Scripture, worry
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“A wise person thinks a lot about death…”  Ecclesiastes 7:4a

In our culture, the subject of death and dying is almost “taboo.”  Not only are we reluctant to discuss it, we avoid viewing the body of deceased friends and loved ones, we don’t want our children to be part of the dying process, we want memorial service to be short, or even non-existent, so we can get back to “normal” as quickly as possible.

But think about this:  Death is the one thing in life that is absolutely guaranteed! It’s no respecter of persons, old or young, and it often comes without warning.

To avoid dealing with death’s inevitability cheats family members and friends of the chance to say and do those things which can never be communicated once the loved one has died.  Even worse, it robs each individual of the opportunity to get prepared for the “hereafter.”

Jesus Christ offers eternal life for anyone who will call on Him in faith, but those who refuse to entertain their own mortality find it easier to ignore their need of a Savior.  And someday, it will be too late!

PONDER: How “comfortable” am I with thoughts of my own demise or the death of someone I love?  Am I an avoider?  Or will I take time to contemplate and prepare for what I cannot prevent?

PRAYER: Lord, You conquered death when You rose triumphantly from the grave, forever removing its fear and sting.  I will trust Your gracious provision!

Tags: avoid, contemplate, deceased, dying, eternal life, guaranteed, memorial service, mortality, reluctant
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“I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death… And say, when the death dew lies cold on my brow, “If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, ’tis now!”

This seldom-sung verse to an old hymn came to mind recently when a dear friend of mine died.  My friend was a Christ-follower, having trusted Jesus for salvation, and, though it saddened her to leave loved ones behind, she was confident that, when she departed this world, she would step into the presence of her Lord.  Death for her was not the end, but a transition to something much better!

Christ also freed her from the fear of standing before her Maker.  The tendency, at life’s end, is to review our “performance” which, because we’re human, always comes up lacking.  How good is “good enough”?  If that’s what we’re striving for, then fear, doubt, and anxiety will accompany us to our grave.

“All have sinned and fall short…”(Romans 3:23) That’s why Christ sacrificed Himself, to became “The Way” back into relationship with God.  Those who put their trust in Him enjoy “rest” from their striving.   God’s peace will be their escort through death’s door.

PONDER: What characterizes my relationship with God — striving, self-effort,  and insecurity?  …or rest, peace, and confidence?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for providing a full and adequate atonement for my sin.  I cling to You, resting securely and confidently in your perfect gift of righteousness on my behalf.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Tags: adequate, doubt, good enough, hymn, insecurity, relationship with God, Romans 3, striving, verse
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How many hours have I spent justifying — to myself first, then to others — why I did or said certain things?   We all do it.  The energy required to “spin” things in our favor is enormous!  And such a waste, too, because all along, there is One who sees and knows the truth, whose desire is to expose what we try to hide.

Why does God want to expose us?  Because everything we keep hidden has power over us!  Those things we bring out into the open can be conquered in the strength of His Spirit.

This is nothing new.  Adam and Eve first hid from God in the Garden.  Mankind has been hiding ever since.  The first couple sewed together feeble, fig-leaf garments, cowering behind bushes, thinking they could hide their nakedness.  But the all-knowing, everywhere-present God had been there all along.  He’d seen it all!

Even though their choices had severe and eternal consequences, God clothed them in garments of His own making and gave them a hope-filled promise of deliverance, ultimately fulfilled in the death and resurrection of His Son.

JESUS is the Way out of bondage, the Truth that sets us free, and the abundant Life we all long for.  John 14:6

PONDER:  What actions, attitudes, motives am I trying to keep hidden?

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, help me walk out into Your Light and live in the freedom of the Truth.

Tags: conquered, consequences, eternal, feeble, garments, hiding, mankind, nakedness, tired
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