I really am free because of Jesus

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law… For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Freedom is an incredible thing. I have met many people who have spent time in prison. Some left prison only to return not long after being released. Some would never return to prison.

One of the things that sticks out most to me is a lady who said something like this, “I felt more free behind bars than when I got out.” She went on to explain how her connection to God was so good and so strong while she was in prison that she felt completely forgiven and free as God revealed himself to her.

That is an incredible truth. We really are free because of all God has done for us. Jesus set us free.

Coming to realize this truth is something that all of us have to come to grips with. Being free has much more to do with what my heart holds than to where my feet and body stand. Being free may change so many things for us and for the people around us.

The music group Newsboys says it this way in their son I Am Free:

"I Am Free"

Through you the blind will see

Through you the mute will sing

Through you the dead will rise

Through you all hearts will praise

Through you the darkness flees

Through you my heart screams

I am free

Yes, I am free

I AM FREE TO RUN

I AM FREE TO DANCE

I AM FREE TO LIVE FOR YOU

I AM FREE

YES I AM FREE

Through you the kingdom comes

Through you the battle's won

Through you I'm not afraid

Through you the price is paid

Through you there's victory

Because of you my heart sings

I am free

Yes, I am free

May we know and cling to this reality. May this theological truth sink in far more than what we hear or what we think. It has to go deep in to our heart so that we live as free people, set free by the grace and goodness of our God!

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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