Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

- Galatians 5:1

Freedom.

Merriam-Webster defines freedom as:

1: the quality or state of being free: such as

a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another :INDEPENDENCE

c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous freedom from care

d: unrestricted use gave him the freedom of their home

e: EASE, FACILITY spoke the language with freedom

f: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom

g: improper familiarity

h: boldness of conception or execution

2     a: a political right

b: FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE

But what is freedom, really?

When we break from the past and follow Jesus, we let go of our sin – freedom.

Even when life is not going well, even when we have a sordid past, we have a future, and that future is in Christ Jesus.

True freedom, my friends, can be found in Him.

Freedom in Christ.

wedding bells

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

- Ephesians 5:31-32

This weekend we are overjoyed to witness the marriage of our nephew.

They are an adorable couple and the event will be amazing.

While we look forward to sharing in their big day, we also look forward to being with our family for the weekend.

I am so blessed by this family, they have taken me in, taught me about love, faith and God.

I can’t wait to hang out with everyone this weekend.

do you know a teacher?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

- Psalm 32:8

Pretty much everyone reading this has been through some sort of school, whether it was public or private education or home schooling, we have all had to learn.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

I had a couple of favorites, but I would have to say hands down, my German teacher was my favorite. 

She taught me German for four years and I also had her for American Literature for one year.

I loved her because she had passion for teaching, and she made it a point to know her students individually.

I grew a lot in her classes, she was more than a teacher, she was an inspiration.  

Our number one job as a Christ follower is to GROW.

We can’t grow if we don’t learn, and we can’t learn if there is not a teacher.

Aren’t we lucky that we have the best teacher ever in Jesus?

great

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

- Lamentations 3:22-26

Oh you know it is time for a song reference!!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

There are a couple of songs I could have referenced here, but I really love this one.

It’s old-time hymn like to me.

Sometimes, when things are looking down, we just have to remember that Our God is faithful, compassionate and He loves us.

He will guide us through what ever obstacle is in our way.

His love is everlasting.

invisible

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

- 1 Peter 1:8

People ask me all the time how I can believe in a God that I cannot see.

They challenge my faith, and bring Bible verses to me, asking how my God can be so good when clearly He is vengeful.

The God of the Old Testament was vengeful, and bad things did happen, but there was a lesson in every word.

We teach our children not to touch a hot stove because they will get burned. 

Then when we aren’t looking, the child touches the stove and is indeed burned, does that make you a vengeful parent or does it mean that you don’t care about your child because this bad thing happened?

It is the same thing with God, He left us instructions, He left us with directions.

If something bad happens, it is not because He doesn’t care, it is not because he isn’t there, and it is certainly not because he is vengeful.

But you have to know in your heart that He is there and that He loves you and will take care of you. 

Maybe not in the way you think things should go, but I bet somehow it all works out.

I believe in the sun even if it isn’t shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent.

Anonymous

no shortcuts

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

- Matthew 5:23-24

I really have to learn this, because I am well known for holding a grudge.

What good it is doing? More than likely it bothers me more that it bothers them!

Don't ignore the relationships around you  - if someone is angry - work it out, even if you have to agree to sever the friendship, you should still do so with a clear conscience, let them know this is the choice you are making and why.

Don't expect to be blessed if you are shortcutting your relationships with others.

plans get broken

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

- Proverbs 19:21

I have done a lot of planning.

And a lot of those plans have fallen through. 

There were trips to be taken, shopping to do, adventures to take.

And my heart breaks when things don’t go quite the way I want them to go.

And then I realize, that my plans very possibly did not honor God.

My plans, no matter how organized and thorough, are not God’s plans.

If my plans fall out of line, then maybe I need to listen to what God has to say.