Eager To Be Free

“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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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord,  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11

God loves you, whether you love Him back or not.  Whether or not you want Him, God passionately desires you! He longs to bless and heal and prosper each of us, but so often, our attitudes and choices make it impossible for us to experience the good things He has in mind.

Throughout Scripture,  God pleads, “Be reconciled to God!”  “Seek first his kingdom…” so, “all these things will be given to you as well.”  “Acknowledge him,” in all your ways, so He can direct your paths.  “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Jesus weeps over us as He did over Jerusalem, “How often I have wanted to gather…[you]…as a hen protects her chicks…but you wouldn’t let me.”

You see, we don’t really trust His love.  We’re suspicious of His intentions.

Leaning on our own understanding, we set out on our own paths, to create our own happiness, with our own resources, eventually ending up in a predicament of our own making.  Then we rail at God, blaming Him for not being good, not helping us, not providing like He promised.

PONDER: Do I trust God’s heart for me?

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, there is no one, including myself, with better intentions for me than You.  Help me rest and live in that awareness!

Tags: attitudes, bless, good things, heal, intentions, Jeremiah, reconciled, suspicious
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“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”  Philippians 1:11

This sounds a lot like Jesus’ words in chapter 15 of John’s gospel, “Apart from me, you can do nothing…My true disciples produce much fruit.  This brings great glory to my Father.”

This “fruit” — this righteous character that honors God — is not a product of our own effort, no matter now noble or lofty our intentions.   Apart from Christ’s intervention, our hearts are sinful and desperately wicked, the extent of which is hidden even from ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9).  Only as we “abide” in Christ Jesus will such “fruit” be produced.

Abiding means living in intimate relationship with Christ, being constantly aware of both our dire need and His gracious presence and provision, recognizing Christ as the true and only Source of life!  We simply yield the parts of our bodies to Him as His instruments, for His purposes, giving Him permission to live His life in and through these bodies of ours, trusting Him to be and do all that is necessary.

PONDER: Do I invest my time and spiritual energy in “producing the fruit” or in pursuing the relationship out of which the fruit will automatically grow?

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for all self-effort!  I acknowledge the only Source of a truly godly life is Your Spirit,  welling up to eternal life within me.

Tags: disciples, eternal life, intentions, Philippians, righteous, source of life
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