“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
I love boxes, cubbies, containers, and organizers. Basically, anything that has a compartment. The reason is simple. Compartments make me feel like I am in control. Thinking, “this goes here or that goes there.” Unfortunately, things are not the only area I have tried to contain. God has also fit into this category during my life. This occurred anytime I said, “Lord, you can go here but you are not invited to go there.” Naturally, God did not subscribe to my way of thinking and graciously took the necessary steps in order to straighten me out.
A limit free life recognizes the truth that freedom occurs when all barriers and compartments in your relationship with Christ are removed. Paul states it this way in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This truth represents an amazing paradox found in scripture. Freedom is not controlling your own life. Rather, freedom occurs when you are controlled by Christ. The world we live in as well as our sinful flesh often baulks at this definition of freedom. However, scripture makes it clear--- freedom is found in living a compartment free, Christ controlled life!
Each day you need to subscribe to Christ’s definition of freedom. When you wake up in the morning recognize that God is God and you are not. Start your day by establishing His authority over your life. Then invite Jesus into every area of your life. This daily routine provides a tangible way to live a limit free life in Jesus Christ.
Question---
What area(s) in your life do you keep off limits from God?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 12--- A Deadly Weapon
“Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” Psalm 142:7
God’s Word can and should be used as a deadly weapon in your life. The Apostle Paul described the Bible as the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. In order to be free, you must fight the sin in your life using God’s Word.
Sin results in spiritual prisons. Spiritual prisons come in many different forms. Often spiritual prisons fall in to one of the following categories:
•An unknown fear.
•A vicious sin cycle.
•A nagging past.
Prisons like these keep women lying awake at night wondering, “What will happen next?” “Will I ever be free?” “Can God use someone like me?”
The thing I hate most about spiritual prisons is that they keep me bound up and focused on myself. Have you ever noticed that before? Spiritual prisons cause you to spend more time thinking about yourself and what you need rather than the Lord and His desires for your life.
David recognized this tendency as he penned Psalm 142:7. Note the reason David wanted to be free from his spiritual prison--- “that I may praise your name.” David knew his prison was keeping him for fully praising the Name of the Lord. Therefore, David wanted freedom so that nothing would stand in the way of his ability to worship. What a great perspective to have in life!
If you and I gain the same perspective as David, we too will begin to hate our prisons. As a result, we will begin to fight for freedom. The reason why is clear. Our spiritual prisons keep us from fully and completely praising the Lord. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to get up and fight! Once freedom came in David’s life, he knew he would have the opportunity and responsibility to testify about the goodness of His God.
Today, do you need to fight some spiritual prisons in your life? If so, begin by getting a vision of freedom. Imagine your life free from the chains that currently bind. Next, fight with all your might. Use the Word of God, which is your sword and fight, fight, fight. Find passages of scripture that speak to the prison you currently face. Once you find a passage, begin to memorize the passage. Speak it all day long. Write the passage on a notecard and carry the passage with you. Tape the passage to your mirror, refrigerator door, or the rearview mirror in your car. Whatever you do fight well armed with God’s holy Word. Know that freedom will come as you apply God’s Word to every area of your life.
Challenge---
On a piece of paper, list your spiritual prison(s)--- areas of fear, vicious sin cycles, or issues from the past.
Find a passage of scripture that speaks to each prison and begin the fight!
God’s Word can and should be used as a deadly weapon in your life. The Apostle Paul described the Bible as the Sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6:17. In order to be free, you must fight the sin in your life using God’s Word.
Sin results in spiritual prisons. Spiritual prisons come in many different forms. Often spiritual prisons fall in to one of the following categories:
•An unknown fear.
•A vicious sin cycle.
•A nagging past.
Prisons like these keep women lying awake at night wondering, “What will happen next?” “Will I ever be free?” “Can God use someone like me?”
The thing I hate most about spiritual prisons is that they keep me bound up and focused on myself. Have you ever noticed that before? Spiritual prisons cause you to spend more time thinking about yourself and what you need rather than the Lord and His desires for your life.
David recognized this tendency as he penned Psalm 142:7. Note the reason David wanted to be free from his spiritual prison--- “that I may praise your name.” David knew his prison was keeping him for fully praising the Name of the Lord. Therefore, David wanted freedom so that nothing would stand in the way of his ability to worship. What a great perspective to have in life!
If you and I gain the same perspective as David, we too will begin to hate our prisons. As a result, we will begin to fight for freedom. The reason why is clear. Our spiritual prisons keep us from fully and completely praising the Lord. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to get up and fight! Once freedom came in David’s life, he knew he would have the opportunity and responsibility to testify about the goodness of His God.
Today, do you need to fight some spiritual prisons in your life? If so, begin by getting a vision of freedom. Imagine your life free from the chains that currently bind. Next, fight with all your might. Use the Word of God, which is your sword and fight, fight, fight. Find passages of scripture that speak to the prison you currently face. Once you find a passage, begin to memorize the passage. Speak it all day long. Write the passage on a notecard and carry the passage with you. Tape the passage to your mirror, refrigerator door, or the rearview mirror in your car. Whatever you do fight well armed with God’s holy Word. Know that freedom will come as you apply God’s Word to every area of your life.
Challenge---
On a piece of paper, list your spiritual prison(s)--- areas of fear, vicious sin cycles, or issues from the past.
Find a passage of scripture that speaks to each prison and begin the fight!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 11--- A Love For God's Word
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
We all know what it is like to want freedom. We long for freedom. We ask for freedom. Yet, we often fail to do the one thing that leads to freedom! Jesus said freedom comes as you hold to “My teachings.”
I love the simplicity of this verse. Jesus does not give ten steps to freedom. He gives one. We can summarize this step in the following way. “If you want freedom--- follow my instruction Book!” Following Jesus’ instruction Book involves two steps--- knowing the Book and obeying the Book. In light of this, two questions must be asked.
1. Do you know the Book?
Knowing the teachings in God’s holy Book becomes the first step to freedom. The teachings recorded in God’s Book provide freedom because they express the heart of God on big and small issues of life. Knowing the Book occurs as you daily interact with the Book. Your daily interaction must be personal. You must know the Book so well that even when the Book is not in front of you, the truths of the Book ring in your heart. How much of God’s Holy Word do you have access to in your heart? God has given His Book to be a source of light in a very dark world. Believers must take the light and allow it to shine bright in their lives. This occurs as you read God’s Word and allow it to change the way you live. The outcome of this process will be truth taking the place of lies resulting in freedom!
2. Do you hold to the teachings in the Book?
Knowing the Book is the first step to freedom. The second step is holding to the teachings found in the Book. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.” Think about this. Holding on to an object requires two steps. The first step involves making the choice to grab the object. The second step involves displaying an active determination not to let go of the object. Holding on to Jesus’ teachings occurs in the same way. First, you must daily make the choice to grab His Holy thoughts regarding your life. Second, you must display an active determination to hold onto His thoughts by allowing them to change the way you live on a very practical level. This means, the teachings found in His Book impact the way you interact with your husband, children, coworkers, and friends. As you hold on to Jesus’ teachings, freedom flows into your life and through your life as you learn to live by His holy Book.
Freedom can and will come in your life as you seek God’s direction in His Holy Word and surrender to it no matter the cost. Today, I challenge you to grab onto Jesus’ teachings and hold on for dear life!
Questions---
Think of area(s) in your life where you need to grab on to Jesus’ teachings and hold on for life.
Are you willing to allow God’s Word to set you free by changing the way you think and live in the area(s) listed above?
We all know what it is like to want freedom. We long for freedom. We ask for freedom. Yet, we often fail to do the one thing that leads to freedom! Jesus said freedom comes as you hold to “My teachings.”
I love the simplicity of this verse. Jesus does not give ten steps to freedom. He gives one. We can summarize this step in the following way. “If you want freedom--- follow my instruction Book!” Following Jesus’ instruction Book involves two steps--- knowing the Book and obeying the Book. In light of this, two questions must be asked.
1. Do you know the Book?
Knowing the teachings in God’s holy Book becomes the first step to freedom. The teachings recorded in God’s Book provide freedom because they express the heart of God on big and small issues of life. Knowing the Book occurs as you daily interact with the Book. Your daily interaction must be personal. You must know the Book so well that even when the Book is not in front of you, the truths of the Book ring in your heart. How much of God’s Holy Word do you have access to in your heart? God has given His Book to be a source of light in a very dark world. Believers must take the light and allow it to shine bright in their lives. This occurs as you read God’s Word and allow it to change the way you live. The outcome of this process will be truth taking the place of lies resulting in freedom!
2. Do you hold to the teachings in the Book?
Knowing the Book is the first step to freedom. The second step is holding to the teachings found in the Book. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.” Think about this. Holding on to an object requires two steps. The first step involves making the choice to grab the object. The second step involves displaying an active determination not to let go of the object. Holding on to Jesus’ teachings occurs in the same way. First, you must daily make the choice to grab His Holy thoughts regarding your life. Second, you must display an active determination to hold onto His thoughts by allowing them to change the way you live on a very practical level. This means, the teachings found in His Book impact the way you interact with your husband, children, coworkers, and friends. As you hold on to Jesus’ teachings, freedom flows into your life and through your life as you learn to live by His holy Book.
Freedom can and will come in your life as you seek God’s direction in His Holy Word and surrender to it no matter the cost. Today, I challenge you to grab onto Jesus’ teachings and hold on for dear life!
Questions---
Think of area(s) in your life where you need to grab on to Jesus’ teachings and hold on for life.
Are you willing to allow God’s Word to set you free by changing the way you think and live in the area(s) listed above?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 10--- A Tamed Tongue
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3
How often do your lips get you in trouble? Have you ever walked away from a conversation and asked yourself, “Why did I say that?” I will confess. I have! Anytime I find my lips getting me in trouble, I breathe a quick prayer asking the Lord to guard my mouth and watch over my lips.
Words are powerful--- not because they hold power in and of themselves but because they reveal the state of your heart. Jesus said, “The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.” (Matthew 5:18) This truth makes words very powerful.
The mouth provides an abundance of opportunity to sin. Critical words, harsh words, gossip, exaggeration, foul words, and words meant to put someone in their place are just a few examples. These words are not in line with God’s desires for your life and often become a form of self-preservation.
Each day you need to evaluate your words. Examining the way you talk to your husband, children, friends, coworkers, and self. Any time you sin with your mouth stop and confess the sin to God. Once you have confessed the sin, go to the person you sinned against and ask for their forgiveness. I can tell you; this more than any other practice, will cut down on harmful words flowing from your mouth.
Not long ago, I was on the phone with a friend. I was telling a story and exaggerated some of the details. After I hung up, I sensed the Lord’s conviction. I knew I had to pick up the phone and call my friend. My friend was gracious as I apologized for exaggerating the details of the story. Trust me. If you make very many of these phone calls you will think twice before you allow your mouth to sin.
Freedom comes when you speak God’s words not your own. This requires discipline and a sensitive spirit. The discipline becomes knowing when you are going into a potentially dangerous conversation and bathing that conversation in prayer. As you pray, ask the Lord to stop you when you begin to journey down a dangerous path. Then, when you are in the midst of the conversation, display a sensitive spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop the conversation when He says stop.
Imagine this--- no longer walking away from a conversation saying, “Why did I say that?” Now that’s freedom!
Questions---
Do you need to confess to a person in your life and tell them you sinned against them with your words?
If so, are you willing to take this step of obedience?
How often do your lips get you in trouble? Have you ever walked away from a conversation and asked yourself, “Why did I say that?” I will confess. I have! Anytime I find my lips getting me in trouble, I breathe a quick prayer asking the Lord to guard my mouth and watch over my lips.
Words are powerful--- not because they hold power in and of themselves but because they reveal the state of your heart. Jesus said, “The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.” (Matthew 5:18) This truth makes words very powerful.
The mouth provides an abundance of opportunity to sin. Critical words, harsh words, gossip, exaggeration, foul words, and words meant to put someone in their place are just a few examples. These words are not in line with God’s desires for your life and often become a form of self-preservation.
Each day you need to evaluate your words. Examining the way you talk to your husband, children, friends, coworkers, and self. Any time you sin with your mouth stop and confess the sin to God. Once you have confessed the sin, go to the person you sinned against and ask for their forgiveness. I can tell you; this more than any other practice, will cut down on harmful words flowing from your mouth.
Not long ago, I was on the phone with a friend. I was telling a story and exaggerated some of the details. After I hung up, I sensed the Lord’s conviction. I knew I had to pick up the phone and call my friend. My friend was gracious as I apologized for exaggerating the details of the story. Trust me. If you make very many of these phone calls you will think twice before you allow your mouth to sin.
Freedom comes when you speak God’s words not your own. This requires discipline and a sensitive spirit. The discipline becomes knowing when you are going into a potentially dangerous conversation and bathing that conversation in prayer. As you pray, ask the Lord to stop you when you begin to journey down a dangerous path. Then, when you are in the midst of the conversation, display a sensitive spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop the conversation when He says stop.
Imagine this--- no longer walking away from a conversation saying, “Why did I say that?” Now that’s freedom!
Questions---
Do you need to confess to a person in your life and tell them you sinned against them with your words?
If so, are you willing to take this step of obedience?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 9--- A Christ Honoring Temple
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
When visiting someone else’s home, I often tell my children, “You are a guest--- be on your best behavior.” In mom talk this means--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make mom proud!
Paul communicated similar thoughts in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Paul told the believers in Corinth--- your body does not belong to you. As a result, you need to be on your best behavior--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make God proud.
Nothing displeases God more than sin. All sin occurs in and through the body. Vicious sin cycles like cutting, drinking, binging/purging, overeating, smoking, addiction, sexual misbehavior, stealing, and the like occur via the body. Spiritual bondage results from each of these sin cycles as the body provides the primary tool.
Freedom comes when you recognize that your body does not belong to you. You are a guest in someone else’s home. Your body is the dwelling or resting place for God’s Holy Spirit. The proper response to this becomes purposefully engaging in activities that please and honor the Lord.
Everyone struggles with some kind of sin. Often, believers act as if they do not. But, who are we kidding? Not God. Getting real about sin actually provides freedom. Think about this. The effort to maintain sin and conceal sin keeps many believers tired and on the verge of defeat.
Freedom occurs when sin cycles are broken in Jesus’ Name. In verse 20, Paul says, “honor God with your body.” The word honor means recognize and provides a clear path to breaking sin cycles. Every day you need to wake up and use your hands, feet, arms, legs, mouth, mind and heart to recognize the Lord. As you do, your body becomes a dwelling or resting place that is pleasing to the Lord. When this occurs you can know that He is in the house and that He is very proud!
Questions---
Do you engage in a sin cycle with your body that displeases the Lord?
As a result of the sin cycle are you tired and defeated?
Do you long for freedom?
When visiting someone else’s home, I often tell my children, “You are a guest--- be on your best behavior.” In mom talk this means--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make mom proud!
Paul communicated similar thoughts in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Paul told the believers in Corinth--- your body does not belong to you. As a result, you need to be on your best behavior--- be extra careful, do not mess up, and make God proud.
Nothing displeases God more than sin. All sin occurs in and through the body. Vicious sin cycles like cutting, drinking, binging/purging, overeating, smoking, addiction, sexual misbehavior, stealing, and the like occur via the body. Spiritual bondage results from each of these sin cycles as the body provides the primary tool.
Freedom comes when you recognize that your body does not belong to you. You are a guest in someone else’s home. Your body is the dwelling or resting place for God’s Holy Spirit. The proper response to this becomes purposefully engaging in activities that please and honor the Lord.
Everyone struggles with some kind of sin. Often, believers act as if they do not. But, who are we kidding? Not God. Getting real about sin actually provides freedom. Think about this. The effort to maintain sin and conceal sin keeps many believers tired and on the verge of defeat.
Freedom occurs when sin cycles are broken in Jesus’ Name. In verse 20, Paul says, “honor God with your body.” The word honor means recognize and provides a clear path to breaking sin cycles. Every day you need to wake up and use your hands, feet, arms, legs, mouth, mind and heart to recognize the Lord. As you do, your body becomes a dwelling or resting place that is pleasing to the Lord. When this occurs you can know that He is in the house and that He is very proud!
Questions---
Do you engage in a sin cycle with your body that displeases the Lord?
As a result of the sin cycle are you tired and defeated?
Do you long for freedom?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 8--- A Christ Centered Approval Process
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
This verse is near and dear to my heart because I have struggled with trying to please people for most of my life. As a pleaser, I wanted everyone to like me and affirm the direction of my life. When it came time to make a tough decision, I often went to people around me for advice. Instead of filtering the advice through God’s Holy Word, I often felt trapped by the advice thinking I had to follow it or risk hurting someone’s feelings. This trap was tangible and often produced anxiety. Freedom came as I began to value Christ’s opinion over the opinions of others.
In Galatians, Paul draws a clear line in the sand. A servant of Christ will focus on winning the approval of Christ--- not winning the approval of others. Often the people we long to please are close to our hearts. People like our parents, spouse, friends, coworkers, children, church leaders, and boss. Freedom occurs in your life when your desire to please Christ supersedes your desire to please others.
If you struggle with pleasing people instead of pleasing Christ consider the steps below.
•Fast from others advice. Take a break from asking other people what you should do. Instead, use your time to talk to God.
•Saturate yourself in God’s Holy Word. Know His Word and allow the Bible to guide your decisions.
•Surround yourself with people who hold you accountable. Share your struggle with a close friend or family member. Be honest with them and let them know you long for freedom in this area of life. When you go to them for advice, ask them to ask you, “Have you prayed about this or what does God’s Word have to say?” If you have not prayed about the decision or if you do not know what the Bible has to say. Stop talking and start praying.
I can promise you that there is nothing quite like freedom in this area of life. Allowing the Word of God to become your standard frees you up as clear instruction takes the place of unclear opinions. No longer will you be bound up by an ever-changing system of thought that is dictated by the desires of others. Rather, freedom will become Jesus’ thoughts regarding your life.
The benefit of a Christ centered approval process is fellowship. As you turn to the Lord and ask Him what you should do you will experience a new kind of fellowship with the Lord as He becomes your best friend. Dear friend, if you are caught up in a people centered approval process, know freedom is available today!
Questions---
In all honesty, whom do you strive to please--- people, God, or both?
Do you believe you value people’s opinions over God’s opinion? Yes No
If so, please explain how this tendency has compromised spiritual freedom in your life.
This verse is near and dear to my heart because I have struggled with trying to please people for most of my life. As a pleaser, I wanted everyone to like me and affirm the direction of my life. When it came time to make a tough decision, I often went to people around me for advice. Instead of filtering the advice through God’s Holy Word, I often felt trapped by the advice thinking I had to follow it or risk hurting someone’s feelings. This trap was tangible and often produced anxiety. Freedom came as I began to value Christ’s opinion over the opinions of others.
In Galatians, Paul draws a clear line in the sand. A servant of Christ will focus on winning the approval of Christ--- not winning the approval of others. Often the people we long to please are close to our hearts. People like our parents, spouse, friends, coworkers, children, church leaders, and boss. Freedom occurs in your life when your desire to please Christ supersedes your desire to please others.
If you struggle with pleasing people instead of pleasing Christ consider the steps below.
•Fast from others advice. Take a break from asking other people what you should do. Instead, use your time to talk to God.
•Saturate yourself in God’s Holy Word. Know His Word and allow the Bible to guide your decisions.
•Surround yourself with people who hold you accountable. Share your struggle with a close friend or family member. Be honest with them and let them know you long for freedom in this area of life. When you go to them for advice, ask them to ask you, “Have you prayed about this or what does God’s Word have to say?” If you have not prayed about the decision or if you do not know what the Bible has to say. Stop talking and start praying.
I can promise you that there is nothing quite like freedom in this area of life. Allowing the Word of God to become your standard frees you up as clear instruction takes the place of unclear opinions. No longer will you be bound up by an ever-changing system of thought that is dictated by the desires of others. Rather, freedom will become Jesus’ thoughts regarding your life.
The benefit of a Christ centered approval process is fellowship. As you turn to the Lord and ask Him what you should do you will experience a new kind of fellowship with the Lord as He becomes your best friend. Dear friend, if you are caught up in a people centered approval process, know freedom is available today!
Questions---
In all honesty, whom do you strive to please--- people, God, or both?
Do you believe you value people’s opinions over God’s opinion? Yes No
If so, please explain how this tendency has compromised spiritual freedom in your life.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 7--- A Clean Thought Life
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
Getting real about sin involves examining your thought process. Questions like, “What do I think about on a daily basis and how are these thoughts leading me towards freedom?” are crucial to ask. Overlooking your thought process is easy to do. This occurs anytime you give little consideration to the constant stream of thoughts flowing through your heart and mind.
The Apostle Paul recognized the importance of a clean thought life. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul provides two instructions for reaching and maintaining a clean thought life.
•Demolish: The first step to a clean thought life involves demolishing arguments and pretensions. Three key words are crucial to understand.
oDemolish means to crush or destroy.
oArguments means reflections, considerations, and in some translations is rendered imaginations.
oPretension gives the idea of an aspiration that has yet to be reached.
A good summary of Paul’s instructions becomes--- destroy or crush reflections, considerations, imaginations, or aspirations in your life that are false according to God’s standard of truth.
•Take captive: The second step to a clean though life involves taking captive every thought that goes through your mind. This involves one crucial step.
oTake captive means to overcome or overpower.
A good summary of Paul’s instruction becomes--- overcome or overpower every thought that goes on in your heart and mind and make those thoughts obedient to Jesus Christ.
Wow! What an overwhelming task lies ahead. However, for women, this is an important task. Women need to demolish and take captive impure thoughts because women struggle with allowing their minds to be a cesspool for sin. This occurs when women allow their minds to go unchecked thus creating an unfiltered mind.
An unfiltered mind is a dangerous trap that always leads to captivity. An unfiltered mind provides countless hours of daydreaming, imagining, and wondering what it might be like if. Women often daydream, imagine, or wonder about a life that is not their own. The daydream might involve a different husband, a past boyfriend, an unfulfilled dream, or a different set of life circumstances.
Freedom occurs when you regularly demolish and take captive these thoughts and make them obedient to Jesus Christ. In a sense, when you turn on the filter of Jesus Christ and allow Him to say what thoughts can stay and what thoughts must go! The process of demolishing and taking captive is a life-long process. You will never be able to check this one off your list. As you demolish and take captive your thoughts, you will experience freedom as you rid your life of wrong thoughts and replace them with right thoughts.
Question--- Do you daydream about a life that is not your own?
Getting real about sin involves examining your thought process. Questions like, “What do I think about on a daily basis and how are these thoughts leading me towards freedom?” are crucial to ask. Overlooking your thought process is easy to do. This occurs anytime you give little consideration to the constant stream of thoughts flowing through your heart and mind.
The Apostle Paul recognized the importance of a clean thought life. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul provides two instructions for reaching and maintaining a clean thought life.
•Demolish: The first step to a clean thought life involves demolishing arguments and pretensions. Three key words are crucial to understand.
oDemolish means to crush or destroy.
oArguments means reflections, considerations, and in some translations is rendered imaginations.
oPretension gives the idea of an aspiration that has yet to be reached.
A good summary of Paul’s instructions becomes--- destroy or crush reflections, considerations, imaginations, or aspirations in your life that are false according to God’s standard of truth.
•Take captive: The second step to a clean though life involves taking captive every thought that goes through your mind. This involves one crucial step.
oTake captive means to overcome or overpower.
A good summary of Paul’s instruction becomes--- overcome or overpower every thought that goes on in your heart and mind and make those thoughts obedient to Jesus Christ.
Wow! What an overwhelming task lies ahead. However, for women, this is an important task. Women need to demolish and take captive impure thoughts because women struggle with allowing their minds to be a cesspool for sin. This occurs when women allow their minds to go unchecked thus creating an unfiltered mind.
An unfiltered mind is a dangerous trap that always leads to captivity. An unfiltered mind provides countless hours of daydreaming, imagining, and wondering what it might be like if. Women often daydream, imagine, or wonder about a life that is not their own. The daydream might involve a different husband, a past boyfriend, an unfulfilled dream, or a different set of life circumstances.
Freedom occurs when you regularly demolish and take captive these thoughts and make them obedient to Jesus Christ. In a sense, when you turn on the filter of Jesus Christ and allow Him to say what thoughts can stay and what thoughts must go! The process of demolishing and taking captive is a life-long process. You will never be able to check this one off your list. As you demolish and take captive your thoughts, you will experience freedom as you rid your life of wrong thoughts and replace them with right thoughts.
Question--- Do you daydream about a life that is not your own?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 6--- A Serious View of Sin
Sin--- just the mention of the word makes my skin crawl. I hate sin and I hate the effect sin has on my life. Unfortunately, sin has not always been on my “bad” list. There was a time when sin produced a thrill inside of me. Little did I know, the effect sin was having on my walk with the Lord. Sin was keeping me from living a free life in Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament details the effect sin had on the Nation of Israel. In short, sin led to captivity. The lack of spiritual sensitivity on the part of the prophets produced a level of comfort in God’s people when it came to sin. This comfort led the Nation of Israel to conceal sin rather than expose it.
Today, you and I can fall into the same trap. This occurs anytime you conceal sin rather than expose it in your life. The result becomes captivity to that sin. Concealing sin occurs in a number of ways. Often concealing sin occurs when a believer tries to justify sin by saying:
•“It’s not really that bad.”
•“I will just do it this one time.”
•“Everyone else is doing it.”
•“It’s how I was raised.”
•“Compared to _____, I am not that bad.”
•“I am not hurting anyone, so it does not really matter.”
If you use one or more of these excuses to justify sin in your life, you can know that you are concealing sin. Thus, spiritual freedom is not evident in you.
Freedom requires that you deal with sin every single day. Exposing sin becomes one of the key steps to gaining freedom in your spiritual life. A prayer that I often pray in regards to exposing sin states, “Lord, shine your bright light into every dark corner of my soul. Please expose the sin hidden in my life.” I pray this prayer anytime I sense unconfessed sin in my heart. I then wait and watch for God to reveal the hidden areas of sin. I can assure you. God answers this prayer. The reason is simple. God longs for you to have freedom--- freedom that comes from having a proper view of sin. Today, I want to ask you, do you have a proper view of sin in your life? If so, do you daily take on the job of exposing sin rather than concealing it?
The Old Testament details the effect sin had on the Nation of Israel. In short, sin led to captivity. The lack of spiritual sensitivity on the part of the prophets produced a level of comfort in God’s people when it came to sin. This comfort led the Nation of Israel to conceal sin rather than expose it.
Today, you and I can fall into the same trap. This occurs anytime you conceal sin rather than expose it in your life. The result becomes captivity to that sin. Concealing sin occurs in a number of ways. Often concealing sin occurs when a believer tries to justify sin by saying:
•“It’s not really that bad.”
•“I will just do it this one time.”
•“Everyone else is doing it.”
•“It’s how I was raised.”
•“Compared to _____, I am not that bad.”
•“I am not hurting anyone, so it does not really matter.”
If you use one or more of these excuses to justify sin in your life, you can know that you are concealing sin. Thus, spiritual freedom is not evident in you.
Freedom requires that you deal with sin every single day. Exposing sin becomes one of the key steps to gaining freedom in your spiritual life. A prayer that I often pray in regards to exposing sin states, “Lord, shine your bright light into every dark corner of my soul. Please expose the sin hidden in my life.” I pray this prayer anytime I sense unconfessed sin in my heart. I then wait and watch for God to reveal the hidden areas of sin. I can assure you. God answers this prayer. The reason is simple. God longs for you to have freedom--- freedom that comes from having a proper view of sin. Today, I want to ask you, do you have a proper view of sin in your life? If so, do you daily take on the job of exposing sin rather than concealing it?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 5--- A Willingness to be Rejected
“So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Act 13:51-52
Acts 13:51-52 seems strange when read outside the original context. However, an important principal resides in these two verses. A principal that helps define freedom from God’s perspective. The principal states Godly freedom willingly accepts rejection. For women, this is a hard concept to accept. We are pleasers. We love to be loved. We love to be accepted. Often, we go to great lengths to try and make everyone happy and maintain peace no matter the cost.
In Acts 13, we see the disciples of Jesus Christ taking a different approach to rejection. The disciples learned early in their ministry that living for the Name of Jesus Christ would produce rejection. The disciples embraced this truth and as a result experienced the freedom to be rejected.
We see this freedom first hand in the account of Acts 13. Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey. They traveled to a place called Pisidian Antioch. Once there, Paul and Barnabas spoke in the Jewish Synagogue. Paul shared God’s story of redemption tracing the story from the time of Israel’s slavery in Egypt to the time of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Initially, Paul and Barnabas received acceptance; and they were invited to speak the following week. The next week the entire town arrived to hear the message Paul brought. The Jewish leaders became enraged with jealousy. Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles and shared the gospel message. Many Gentiles believed. In the end, Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and expelled from the region.
If you are wondering how Paul and Barnabas handled this rejection, read today’s focal passage. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and headed to the next town with joy in their hearts. How could the disciples respond to rejection in this way? Paul and Barnabas recognized the rejection was not personal. The Jewish leaders were not rejecting Paul and Barnabas. They were rejecting Christ.
Freedom came in Paul and Barnabas’ lives when they embraced the truth that following Jesus would cost them. It would cost them their reputation. It would cost them their comfort. And in the end, it would cost them their lives. Although the cost was great, the reward was even greater. The reward became freedom on this earth to live a radical life for Jesus Christ no matter what!
Today, do you need to hear that it is okay to be rejected for Jesus’ sake? If so, look to God’s Word and allow His Word to set you free. You can be rejected and still thrive. You can shake the dust off your feet and move on to the next stage in your life. You can experience rejection and still have a heart that is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The choice you face is this--- will you accept the rejection that comes from living for Jesus Christ or will you give in to the voices around you telling you to live for this world? May I encourage you to experience a little rejection? Then, shake the dust off your feet and move on!
Questions---
What scares you most about rejection?
Are you willing to risk rejection for the cause of Christ?
Acts 13:51-52 seems strange when read outside the original context. However, an important principal resides in these two verses. A principal that helps define freedom from God’s perspective. The principal states Godly freedom willingly accepts rejection. For women, this is a hard concept to accept. We are pleasers. We love to be loved. We love to be accepted. Often, we go to great lengths to try and make everyone happy and maintain peace no matter the cost.
In Acts 13, we see the disciples of Jesus Christ taking a different approach to rejection. The disciples learned early in their ministry that living for the Name of Jesus Christ would produce rejection. The disciples embraced this truth and as a result experienced the freedom to be rejected.
We see this freedom first hand in the account of Acts 13. Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey. They traveled to a place called Pisidian Antioch. Once there, Paul and Barnabas spoke in the Jewish Synagogue. Paul shared God’s story of redemption tracing the story from the time of Israel’s slavery in Egypt to the time of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Initially, Paul and Barnabas received acceptance; and they were invited to speak the following week. The next week the entire town arrived to hear the message Paul brought. The Jewish leaders became enraged with jealousy. Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles and shared the gospel message. Many Gentiles believed. In the end, Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and expelled from the region.
If you are wondering how Paul and Barnabas handled this rejection, read today’s focal passage. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and headed to the next town with joy in their hearts. How could the disciples respond to rejection in this way? Paul and Barnabas recognized the rejection was not personal. The Jewish leaders were not rejecting Paul and Barnabas. They were rejecting Christ.
Freedom came in Paul and Barnabas’ lives when they embraced the truth that following Jesus would cost them. It would cost them their reputation. It would cost them their comfort. And in the end, it would cost them their lives. Although the cost was great, the reward was even greater. The reward became freedom on this earth to live a radical life for Jesus Christ no matter what!
Today, do you need to hear that it is okay to be rejected for Jesus’ sake? If so, look to God’s Word and allow His Word to set you free. You can be rejected and still thrive. You can shake the dust off your feet and move on to the next stage in your life. You can experience rejection and still have a heart that is filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The choice you face is this--- will you accept the rejection that comes from living for Jesus Christ or will you give in to the voices around you telling you to live for this world? May I encourage you to experience a little rejection? Then, shake the dust off your feet and move on!
Questions---
What scares you most about rejection?
Are you willing to risk rejection for the cause of Christ?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Free To Thrive!! Day 4--- An Abiding Heart
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
John 15:5 is one of my favorite verses in scripture. In fact, this verse serves as the key verse for True Vine Ministry. Everything about True Vine Ministry is wrapped up in the truths taught in this verse. Jesus is my vine. Therefore, I find my nourishment and support in Him. There is nothing that I can do on my own. There is no good thing in me. I am the branch. My job is to respond to the vine. Anything that results from me or the ministry God has called me to take part in occurs as I abide in Him. This means my focus each day must be to remain connected to Jesus Christ. Spiritual fruit results from this type of focus. Without this focus, the overarching result of my life will be nothing! What a powerful Word from God’s Word.
One of the most challenging times to abide occurs when things are going well or things seem to be status quo or when you feel like you have a handle on life. These are times when believers easily fall into the trap of mediocre living. Mediocre living occurs when life becomes routine. As a result, little or no focus is required. Freedom is compromised when you live a mediocre life because a sense of accomplishment comes from completing your daily tasks. Naturally, this kind of life produces self-sufficiency and undercuts the abiding process. Mediocre living leads to a vicious sin cycle. Abiding only occurs when times are tough and you feel like you cannot make it on your own.
John 15:5 provides help in times of mediocrity. To break the cycle of mediocre living, an intense inspection of one’s life is required. You must determine the areas of life where you have relied on your strength and in the process forsaken your vine. Once you have identified these areas, prayerfully consider how God wants you to reconnect with the vine. Perhaps you need to step out of your comfort zone and in the process relearn how to live out of His strength not your own. Or, you may need to daily ask the Lord to help you abide in the areas where you tend to live independently. Whatever God leads you to do, abide in that direction and know that freedom is on the way.
Questions---
Do you find yourself living a mediocre life?
What is God calling you to do in order to break the sin cycle of mediocre living?
John 15:5 is one of my favorite verses in scripture. In fact, this verse serves as the key verse for True Vine Ministry. Everything about True Vine Ministry is wrapped up in the truths taught in this verse. Jesus is my vine. Therefore, I find my nourishment and support in Him. There is nothing that I can do on my own. There is no good thing in me. I am the branch. My job is to respond to the vine. Anything that results from me or the ministry God has called me to take part in occurs as I abide in Him. This means my focus each day must be to remain connected to Jesus Christ. Spiritual fruit results from this type of focus. Without this focus, the overarching result of my life will be nothing! What a powerful Word from God’s Word.
One of the most challenging times to abide occurs when things are going well or things seem to be status quo or when you feel like you have a handle on life. These are times when believers easily fall into the trap of mediocre living. Mediocre living occurs when life becomes routine. As a result, little or no focus is required. Freedom is compromised when you live a mediocre life because a sense of accomplishment comes from completing your daily tasks. Naturally, this kind of life produces self-sufficiency and undercuts the abiding process. Mediocre living leads to a vicious sin cycle. Abiding only occurs when times are tough and you feel like you cannot make it on your own.
John 15:5 provides help in times of mediocrity. To break the cycle of mediocre living, an intense inspection of one’s life is required. You must determine the areas of life where you have relied on your strength and in the process forsaken your vine. Once you have identified these areas, prayerfully consider how God wants you to reconnect with the vine. Perhaps you need to step out of your comfort zone and in the process relearn how to live out of His strength not your own. Or, you may need to daily ask the Lord to help you abide in the areas where you tend to live independently. Whatever God leads you to do, abide in that direction and know that freedom is on the way.
Questions---
Do you find yourself living a mediocre life?
What is God calling you to do in order to break the sin cycle of mediocre living?
Friday, October 2, 2009
Free To Thrive Day 3--- A Passionate Trust
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and more; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 (emphasis added)
"Have you ever been so unsure of your next step that all you know to do is hang on to Jesus for dear life? In times like these, you know that if God does not get you through, you will not make it. Truly, this type of life displays a picture of passionate trust. And, contrary to every feeling inside your body, passionate trust produces freedom.
King David knew about passionate trust. He knew about being in the depths of despair and God graciously saving him. David knew what it was like to have a target on his back and experience God’s deliverance time and time again. David also knew about falling into sin and reaping God’s holy consequences. Throughout David’s life, his experiences brought him to a place of passionate trust and humble transparency.
In our focal passage, we find David on the other side of his life altering situation. David made it through. How did David make it through? Psalm 40:1-3 provides the answer. David had passionate trust in the Lord.
For you, you may be in the midst of your life altering situation. As a result, you may feel bound up by the uncertainty of life not knowing what will happen next. Today, you can find freedom in God’s Word. Wait on the Lord. Hold onto the Lord. Know that the Lord will deliver you. Even if you are in the depths of despair, God is with you. Even if nothing in your life makes sense and by all earthly accounts all hope is gone, hang on to Jesus!
Certainly passionate trust does not happen in your strength or as a result of anything good in you. Passionate trust occurs as you dig deep in your faith and know that just like God delivered David, He will deliver you!"
Questions---
Are you currently in a life altering situation? If so, is passionate trust apart of your life--- meaning, are you holding on to Jesus for dear life?
"Have you ever been so unsure of your next step that all you know to do is hang on to Jesus for dear life? In times like these, you know that if God does not get you through, you will not make it. Truly, this type of life displays a picture of passionate trust. And, contrary to every feeling inside your body, passionate trust produces freedom.
King David knew about passionate trust. He knew about being in the depths of despair and God graciously saving him. David knew what it was like to have a target on his back and experience God’s deliverance time and time again. David also knew about falling into sin and reaping God’s holy consequences. Throughout David’s life, his experiences brought him to a place of passionate trust and humble transparency.
In our focal passage, we find David on the other side of his life altering situation. David made it through. How did David make it through? Psalm 40:1-3 provides the answer. David had passionate trust in the Lord.
For you, you may be in the midst of your life altering situation. As a result, you may feel bound up by the uncertainty of life not knowing what will happen next. Today, you can find freedom in God’s Word. Wait on the Lord. Hold onto the Lord. Know that the Lord will deliver you. Even if you are in the depths of despair, God is with you. Even if nothing in your life makes sense and by all earthly accounts all hope is gone, hang on to Jesus!
Certainly passionate trust does not happen in your strength or as a result of anything good in you. Passionate trust occurs as you dig deep in your faith and know that just like God delivered David, He will deliver you!"
Questions---
Are you currently in a life altering situation? If so, is passionate trust apart of your life--- meaning, are you holding on to Jesus for dear life?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Free To Thrive! Day 2--- Kingdom Focus
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33
"Freedom requires a kingdom focus. When you have a kingdom focus you take a step back and make the choice to see life from a big picture perspective. A big picture perspective involves seeing the events of your life from the context of eternity as opposed to your days here on earth. When you live your life with kingdom focus, your goals change. Your life is no longer about living happily ever after as seen in the world’s definition of freedom. Rather, your life becomes a passionate pursuit of righteous living. This occurs when you live your life for Jesus Christ no matter what. The result of living with kingdom focus is found in one word---- freedom!
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus provided His followers with a clear instruction--- seek me. This verse, nestled beautifully within the Sermon on the Mount, draws a line in the sand when it comes to kingdom focus. This verse teaches that you cannot focus on two kingdoms. Either you will live your life for God’s eternal Kingdom or you will live your life for the world’s earthly kingdom. In God’s eyes, you cannot live for both.
Living for God’s eternal Kingdom produces freedom because it challenges you to see life from God’s perspective. As you see life from God’s perspective, you realize God promises to take care of you. Matthew 6:33 communicates this truth. When you seek Him, and live your life for Him, you receive everything God deems necessary for your time on this earth. Therefore, you do not have to worry about tomorrow or the day after that or the day after that or the day after that. Instead, each day of your life you are free to faithfully seek the Lord. This seeking process becomes the very heart of your life as you experience His freedom and forsake the world’s bondage."
Today, may I ask you a question? Are you living for God's eternal Kingdom or this world's temporary kingdom. Your answer will determine your level of freedom!!
"Freedom requires a kingdom focus. When you have a kingdom focus you take a step back and make the choice to see life from a big picture perspective. A big picture perspective involves seeing the events of your life from the context of eternity as opposed to your days here on earth. When you live your life with kingdom focus, your goals change. Your life is no longer about living happily ever after as seen in the world’s definition of freedom. Rather, your life becomes a passionate pursuit of righteous living. This occurs when you live your life for Jesus Christ no matter what. The result of living with kingdom focus is found in one word---- freedom!
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus provided His followers with a clear instruction--- seek me. This verse, nestled beautifully within the Sermon on the Mount, draws a line in the sand when it comes to kingdom focus. This verse teaches that you cannot focus on two kingdoms. Either you will live your life for God’s eternal Kingdom or you will live your life for the world’s earthly kingdom. In God’s eyes, you cannot live for both.
Living for God’s eternal Kingdom produces freedom because it challenges you to see life from God’s perspective. As you see life from God’s perspective, you realize God promises to take care of you. Matthew 6:33 communicates this truth. When you seek Him, and live your life for Him, you receive everything God deems necessary for your time on this earth. Therefore, you do not have to worry about tomorrow or the day after that or the day after that or the day after that. Instead, each day of your life you are free to faithfully seek the Lord. This seeking process becomes the very heart of your life as you experience His freedom and forsake the world’s bondage."
Today, may I ask you a question? Are you living for God's eternal Kingdom or this world's temporary kingdom. Your answer will determine your level of freedom!!
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