Tag: <span>christians</span>


Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a country where you weren’t free – free to drive to see family members, free to speak your mind, free to worship in the way that you want?  It’s hard for me to imagine what it would be like to not have a copy of God’s Word, to not be able to call a friend and talk about how I’m struggling in my relationship with God or to freely write what is on my heart.

As I see what is happening all around the world – the unrest in so many countries, the earthquakes and tsunamis, I have to admit my heart trembles and I wonder if my world will drastically change.  Will I someday experience what many Christians in other countries around the world experience?  Will someday being persecuted for my faith mean more than just losing my job or being criticized for believing in God but going to jail or having my family stripped away from me?

And then I wonder. . .  will I be as resilient in my faith as I am now?  Will I be able to stand strong in the face of danger?  If I let my thoughts run in that direction I can allow fear to completely consume me.

Look at what 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NLT) says:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. . . With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and a self-discipline. . .” 

When we give into fear and allow it to consume us we are giving power to the enemy but God has given us everything we need to stand strong and to face whatever comes our way!   But how do we do this in the face of overwhelming circumstances and fear? By turning our hearts back to Him.

When I experience fear, heartache or worry in my life He wants me to give it to Him and to claim His power and love.   Just as a pedestrian on a swinging rope bridge keeps their eyes fixed on the other side and doesn’t allow himself to look down to the gorge below,  we have to fix our eyes on our Savior, the author and finisher of our faith.

If God’s Word is true and I believe it is than He will give me what I need when the time arises.  I don’t have to live in fear or worry of what tomorrow will bring because He promises to be with me, to give me His Strength and His Power to meet whatever will come my way.

We have nothing to fear . . .

if God is for us, who can ever be against us?  (Romans 8:31 NLT)

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

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• Eternal Love
• Fully Surrender to the Lord

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devotional about being free

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.

And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!”  Ephesians 1:7-8
(The Message)

Imagine walking out of prison. What would it be like to be rid of a cell’s narrow confinement? How would it feel to leave someone else’s schedule behind? No more being told when to eat, when to talk, when to sleep. Freedom would feel strange and unfamiliar. A former prisoner might have a hard time accepting that they were really free. She might wonder, “Where are the guards? Who will tell me where to go? When to eat? What to do? Am I really free? How free am I?”

For a myriad of reasons Christians often find it difficult to believe we are truly free. We know ourselves. We know our sinful tendencies. We have experienced repeated failures. How is it possible that God looks upon us through the blood spilled by Christ on the cross and declares us free? But that is what we are a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!

The Apostle Paul triumphantly declares to the Roman Christians, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1) There it is again! We are free!

The released prisoner has the choice to continue living as though prison walls surround her or to walk with head held high, believing that the punishment has been paid. For us—released and redeemed—we walk with joy and gratitude that God’s love and grace has declared us not barely free, but abundantly free.

Thank you Father that Jesus’ sacrifice did not just lessen my sentence, but rather His work sets me fully free. Help me to live in that freedom. Amen

Question: In what areas of your life do need to be set free?

By Marilyn Ehle

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