Freedom in Christ

Freedom in Christ

Friday, August 29, 2014

How are you Grounded?


     Trees have roots to ground them - whether they shoot straight out and stay shallow (trees here in Miami) or go down deep (trees in my homeland of Minnesota) - a tree needs roots to survive. The root systems provide stability and nourishment - a vital part of the trees survival.

     How are you grounded? What keeps you stable and nourished? If you have never considered those questions and discovered the answer, now is a good time.


“'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice
 is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.' When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Matthew 7:24-29

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled
 to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, 
and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction." Psalm 1:1-6

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3


Monday, August 25, 2014

To All the Mothers


     To all the mothers who may be reading this: Thank you for all of your diligence and patience. Thank you for surrendering to the LORD and trusting Him to be all that you need, for all that your children need. Thank you for learning to see these little ones through the eye of their Maker and Creator. Thank you for taking each burden and ache to the foot of the cross. Thank you for enduring and believing. Thank you for all the hugs and kisses you give without wanting anything in return. Thank you for all the messes you clean up, all the meals you make, all the toys you pick up, all the shopping you do, all the things you plan and prepare, all the praying you do, and all of the discipline you provide even in the midst of resistance. Thank you. May God bless you and keep you, give you wisdom and understanding, protect and lead you, and strengthen you in your inner-being.


“The LORD bless you and keep you; 
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  
Numbers 6:24-26


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Detail


     Oh how often we miss the beauty of details. When I say "details" I am not referring to the details of the daily agenda, I am referring to the details of the things of a day that easily pass us by because of being too busy. How many times have we simply missed out on the beauty of the morning sunshine piercing through the curtain, the smell of the fresh rain-fall, the sound of children playing nearby, or the random hug received from a loved one? God is always interested in us noticing the details because that means we have taken the time to wait and be still and notice more than ourselves.


"One thing I ask from the LORD
This only do I seek 
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
 All the days of my life 
To gaze on the beauty of the LORD 
And to seek him in his temple." 
Psalm 27:4