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.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

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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