Theme: Choose Freedom
As Pastor Dan spoke this past Sunday on having complete freedom in Jesus, freedom from fear, from rejection, and from all things that hold us in bondage, he said that some bondages are broken immediately while some may be released over time, with patient prayer and faith that freedom will come.
As Pastor spoke, I thought of those huge bells that often hung high up in the tower above the churches and signaled the start of worship and other things for the community. This bell was rung by the pulling of a long rope. Often, as the sexton or church volunteer finished pulling the rope the bell would continue swinging for a time, first ding dong, then slower with just one sound until it finally stopped.
When we choose to accept the freedom that Jesus provides, from whatever it is that has bound us, the ringing may continue, but over the course of time, it will eventually stop, as long as we make the choice to not grab the rope again.
What areas of your life have you exhausted from continuing to ring the bell? In what situations is God asking you to let go of the rope? When you are tempted to grab that rope, exhausted and defeated, what is your reaction, to pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit or to react in the flesh?
God gives us the strength through the Holy Spirit to experience the Freedom He has for us, but we also have this flesh. Our choices are to live in the peace of His freedom or the voluntary bondage of our flesh.
Ask God daily, hourly or constantly to increase our faith as the bell continues to ring, and for the strength not to grab the rope again because we miss the rings of the world.
Bondage is a choice, one that often seems impossible to be free from on our own. Freedom is possible, yes inevitable, with God in Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let God cut the rope!
Scripture: Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Prayer:
Lord, I confess that far too often those things that bind me so tightly become more real in my life than you. Too often they wrap me so strongly that I cannot see or hear you and I feel so alone, as if I am the only person going through this. Let me realize, my Father, that is the lie of the evil one who wants to bind me in slavery, fear and hopelessness, and that it is merely an illusion from the past that no longer has any real control over me who is in Jesus. Remind me Lord, that I am “more than a conqueror”, and “can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
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