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Are You Free?

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“In him [Christ] and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (
Ephesians 3:12)

freedom_by_t4nsuThis time of year in America we celebrate at least three patriotic occasions between the end of May and the end of July – Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. As a member of a military family by birth, voluntary service, and marriage, my heart is tender towards the remembrance of those who sacrifice their lives, some even to death, so that we may enjoy the freedoms offered by our great nation.

There was a time when if I were to ask my friends if they are free, they would unhesitatingly tell me yes. Well, with the recent security challenges facing our nation, I still get the answer yes but with some level of concern as to how long this freedom will last. However, when I ask the same friends if they feel confident to talk to God about their concerns over freedom today, many of them answer no. Some feel that they cannot freely approach God because He is too busy, too angry, or not interested in them and their concerns. Nothing could be further from the truth! How sad it is that they feel freer in an uncertain world than with the certain God who created them and loves them.

God is not too busy, angry, or disinterested to see you free. He sent his very Son, Jesus, to bear our burdens and be The Way, the only way, to true and lasting freedom. He has already fought the battle for us. And guess what? He won! Do you want this freedom for yourself? Surrender your fear and humbly ask Him for it. He’ll give you the faith and confidence to walk in true freedom today and forever!

This summer I’ll remember that I have freedom in Christ!

Are You Free?

Rita Reid

 

Accept Hospitality

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“Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.”
Luke 10:7-8 (NLT)

MP-farmhouse-dining-tableAlthough Jesus’ desire was for His disciples to stay on task, He encourages them to freely accept the hospitality of others. It goes without saying that as His disciples it is our job to serve and minister to those God places in our lives. However, we should not hesitate to graciously receive hospitality offered to us. Our God works in mysterious ways. Even though we desire to be a blessing to others, God often chooses to use the very people we seek to serve to be a blessing to us as well.

Today, let’s simply take some time to praise God for the abundance of blessings He has lavished upon us. Praise Him for providing for our every need, and most importantly, thank Him for the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully,

Madison

photo credit: http://mountpleasantgranary.net/blog/index.php?d=05&m=08&y=14

 

Savior of the World

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“And they were saying to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.’”
John 4:42, NASB

crossSavior of the world … this One … we have heard for ourselves and know.

She went to the well to draw water but ended up being drawn to Christ. He engaged her in conversation. He pursued her heart. He revealed His identity.

In her excitement, this Samaritan woman “left her waterpot” (Jn. 4:28) and declared to the men of her city, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” (Jn. 4:29). She had discovered the Messiah sitting right near her—this One, Savior of the world. Because she shared her experience, “many of the Samaritans believed in Him” (Jn. 4:39).

But the time came when their belief wasn’t based solely on her word. They heard Jesus with their own ears and understood His message. Convinced of who Christ is, they recognized Him as the Savior of the world.

The Greek word for Savior, soter, is defined as “deliverer” (BLB). God sent His Son with a mission: to die for our sins. Jesus placed Himself on splintered wood, suffered the piercing nails as well as thorns, and paid the excruciating penalty for our sins. Three days later, God raised Him from the dead, proving Jesus’ deity once and for all. By faith in Christ’s Person and work, we’re delivered. But that’s not all—Christ also delivers us from sins we struggle with now. And in a coming day, He’ll deliver us from the presence of sin. Forever.Isn’t this awesome news?!

I want to be like that woman who left her waterpot, a critical vessel for daily sustenance, so she could tell others about Jesus and the living water He gives. I long to impact others with my words so they come to Christ. More than that, I yearn for those in my sphere of influence to “hear” Jesus for themselves and know He is indeed the Savior of the world.

The Savior of the world is alive, and people in each of our cities need to hear about Him through us. May God intensify our passion to share Christ, stirring us to “look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (Jn. 4:35).

Much love in Christ,

Emily

Image by Brennan Wickham. Used with permission. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.