The Experience of His Freedom.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

The Experience of His Freedom

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

To know God is to experience God. Just as we experience aspects of one another as we grow in friendship, we experience the wonders of God as we seek to simply know him. God is calling us to a life of seeking him with all we are. He is calling us to value relationship with him above all else that we would love no other but him. May you encounter wonderful aspects of relationship with your heavenly Father this week as we wholeheartedly seek to know him with all we are.

Scripture:

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4

Devotional:

The Christian experience of freedom was not established by the power and endurance of mankind, but by the sacrifice and love of our God. The freedom we experience is not our own, but his. Apart from the redemption bought for us, we have no strength to resist sin. And apart from continually renewing our minds to the truth of this redemption, we’ll continue to act as if chains that were broken long ago still tie us down to the world from which we’ve been successfully ransomed. Paul says in Romans 6:1-4,

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

To experience freedom here on earth is to continuously acknowledge that our old ways—our former self—was buried with Christ the day we accepted him as Lord. To sin is to live outside of the reality that we’ve been given a new resurrected identity in Christ, our resurrected King.

How do you see yourself in regard to your sin today? How do you believe you experience freedom? In what areas of your life are you still trying in your own strength to fight for something Jesus already bought with his blood? What sin have you not yet brought to the glorious light of God’s powerful resurrection that you might see it for what it truly is?

There is freedom for you today in Christ that’s available apart from any past failures, present downfalls, or future concerns. You can “walk in newness of life” as you live in the reality of the inner working of the Holy Spirit and follow his leadership away from your old identity. Your mistakes don’t change the reality of God’s grace. Your sin is powerless to bind you. Your freedom is just as sure as the limitless love of your Savior.

Take time today to renew your mind to who you are in Christ. Take time to bring your sin to the light and confess it that God might take it from you as far as the east is from the west. May you experience the freedom of your risen King today as you live in light of his powerful grace.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on what the Bible says about freedom from sin. Align your understanding of your sin with the truth of God’s word.

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” Romans 6:22

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4

“And by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39

2. What sin do you need to bring to God today in confession? What feels too dark and too powerful to gain freedom from? Bring it to him that you might see it in light of his power and sacrifice.

3. Ask God to reveal how he sees you. Ask him to reveal your new identity in him. Ask him how you can experience freedom from that which doesn’t align with your new identity.

Renewing our minds to our new identity takes time. Often, while we are gaining a correct understanding of our freedom, we need to set up boundaries to gain separation from darkness. Take time to identify things that continuously lead you into temptation. It could be friends, media, or actions that seem beneficial, like lifting weights or going shopping. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you establish boundaries that will guard your heart from the outside as he does a powerful work in you on the inside. May you experience the freedom purchased for you by the blood of Jesus as you “walk in newness of life” with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Extended Reading: Romans 6

3 Ways To Pray When You’re Too Stressed To Know How..BONNIE GRAY

 3 Ways To Pray When You’re Too Stressed To Know How

BONNIE GRAY

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NASB1995)

I’ve always been good at praying. Or so I thought.

My daddy left when I was 7. I’ve always looked to God as my Father, my Provider. I didn’t realize God wants to be more than just my Provider; God longs to be my soul’s confidant. Deep where I feel lonely — where I struggle to receive and make space for myself — God wants me to breathe and rest as His beloved.

At the end of the day, even though I had accomplished a lot, my soul still felt anxious. What I really longed for, I didn’t create space for: peace and joy. I did not nurture my soul with God. I found it easier to take care of others and get things done for God rather than be vulnerable with my needs.

But God began showing me prayer is an intimate soul conversation, a way to be loved and known, rather than a spiritual transaction to be made better.

Praying touches the part of me that is uncertain, full of questions and doubts. That is why praying is hard to do. And when I didn’t know how to pray, it made me feel ashamed. But Jesus understands and whispers, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Do you long to break free from anxiety, stress and worry? Sometimes, it takes more faith to tell God we don’t know how to pray than to keep praying like we used to.

This is how I began to discover God’s rest more deeply — to breathe in powerful scriptures affirming God’s love and breathe out stress using soul care: practical ways to restore God’s peace and presence to my emotions and my body! I started learning how to love myself the way God loves me.

Maybe you’re asking: How can I draw closer to God and take better care of myself when I’m so stressed? This was my question too. I began researching answers, and to my delight, God helped me discover powerful ways to lower stress with uplifting scriptures, use simple soul care practices to spark joy, and pray calming prayers. Here are three lessons I learned:

1. When you don’t have words to pray, simply rest in knowing that Jesus is praying for you. Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Not even your unrest. He’ll never get tired of you. Sometimes, the greatest prayer we can experience is God’s complete understanding and compassion. His presence. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus … is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34, NIV)

2. When you’re too stressed to pray, invite Jesus into your world — consider journaling. Instead of struggling to reach Jesus, invite Jesus into your world, perhaps through journaling. Research shows that the power of writing your personal story can help lift some feelings of depression and improves happiness. Even 15 minutes makes a difference!

God can use many things to speak into our lives, including journaling. When we journal our stories with God, we give Him space to rewrite our stories. Don’t you get “aha” moments as you write? As your words flow, be honest. Use my favorite journaling prompt: Dear Jesus, I’ve been quiet about this … and feel the comfort of God’s loving care wrapped around you. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

3. When you’re too exhausted to pray, take care of yourself. Do you know the story of Elijah in Scripture? He did everything right — even defeating the prophets of Baal, a false god. Yet his problems got worse. Stress broke Elijah’s spirit. In despair, Elijah woke up to find water to drink and fresh bread baking on hot stones — which God left just for him. Not only that, but God sent an angel to touch him —twice.(1 Kings 19:5-8) God knew Elijah needed physical rejuvenation first in order to hear His voice whispering in a gentle breeze. (1 Kings 19:12)

Soul Care Tip: Let God love you. Do you need sleep, something yummy and healthy to eat, a friend’s touch, emotional safety or physical rest? Prioritizing your well-being may feel selfish, yet God’s Word says we comfort others “with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4, ESV).

You’re worth loving. Take one day at a time. God will provide. Just breathe.

Dear Jesus, I need You. Bring peace to my heart as I cast my cares on You and simply rest in Your arms of love. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Power Within..Dr. Charles Stanley

 The Power Within

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 1:8

God's Spirit works in every believer. He does not limit Himself to pastors and missionaries. If you've received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then residing within you is the same great power that raised Christ from the dead (Rom 8:11) The Holy Spirit pours His energy into creating godly character in all who follow the Lord.

The fruit of the Spirit is so named because it is the character and conduct that the Holy Spirit produces in believers. These are qualities that we can't generate consistently on our own. The most powerful message we can give isn't a testimony or sermon; it is the life we live when the pressure is on, temptation is tremendous, or we are buried under an avalanche of problems.

What the world most needs to see in this modern culture is godly families loving one another, business people working with integrity and frugality, and young men and women who choose moral purity. In a word, the world needs to be exposed to believers who are obedient.

By showing peace instead of anxiety or practicing patience rather than speaking a sharp word, a Christian bears witness to the beauty of the gospel. We attract unbelievers to Christ through our words and deeds. They may turn down a doctrine, but they cannot ignore a righteous life.

The strongest gospel message does not come from a pulpit. The most powerful witness for Jesus Christ where you work, where you live, and where you relax is you. Submit to the Holy Spirit's work, and He will produce a great harvest of spiritual fruit in your life.

How to Recognize Spiritual Weeds in Your Life..Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

 How to Recognize Spiritual Weeds in Your Life

By Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. – Matthew 7:18

Reaching my hand into the dark soil, I could feel that the roots had gotten deep. I had to put my weight into the pull to unearth something I had spent weeks tending. I felt a little discouraged; I’d invested my time and attention into something that had proved to be working against the growth I was seeking the whole time. I also felt a little frustrated that I’d been so easily deceived.

You see, for weeks I had been painstakingly watering and weeding a little plot of dirt along the side of my home. The year before it had been a vibrant little garden filled with strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

The strawberries come back every year, but the other plants weren’t ones that I expected to see come back. However, three hearty sprouts had pushed up through the dormant soil. I didn’t recognize the new growth and assumed it was something returning from the previous year. I’m a novice gardener at best, so I devotedly gave these budding starts priority. They thrived and quickly grew tall and strong.

When Spiritual Weeds Take Root in Our Lives

Pulling out that weed and the others like it caused a slew of thoughts to start circulating around my mind. As Christians, how many weeds have taken root in our lives? How many things have we poured our time and attention into that are choking out the Spiritual fruit we are trying to grow? How can we tell the difference between a weed and fruit when it is so easy to mistake one for the other? Am I watering weeds?

How to Recognize a Spiritual Weed vs. Fruit

Galatians 5:22-25 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let is also keep in step with the Spirit.”

These verses set the standard. If what we are investing our time and energy into isn’t growing those types of fruit, we need to look closely to be sure it isn’t a weed. If it is a weed, we have to be willing to reach down into the dirt and uproot it before it grows and starts choking out the fruit we are working so hard to grow.

Can you see examples of that going on in your own life? I hate to admit it, but I know that I can see it in my life without having to look very hard at all.

For me, it’s social media. Being engaged in social media is a part of my job, but I can easily spend way too much time and energy engrossed in my news feed. That is time and energy that would be much better spent doing the work that God has given me to do or loving and serving the people he has placed in my life.

Whatever You Water Will Grow

Just like the weeds that I meticulously watered began to choke out the fruit in my garden, the weeds we care for can begin to choke out the fruit that we want to grow in our lives. I had let some weeds grow in my garden and in my life that needed to be effectively dealt with.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have some weeding and watering that I need to do. Would you like to join me?

A Prayer to Prepare Him Room..Ashley Moore

 A Prayer to Prepare Him Room

By Ashley Moore

"…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." - Luke 2:7, NIV

Every Christmas season, I look forward to buying a pine-scented candle and pulling the Christmas decorations out of the shed. My husband, our three kids, and I sip hot chocolate and reminisce as we admire the ornament collection and listen to Lauren Daigle’s Christmas album. What are some of your family's Christmas traditions?

Maybe you clear out a space in front of your window to put up a fresh tree you cut down together. Or do you take the thanksgiving decorations off the mantle to put up the nativity scene? Perhaps you replace your regular string lights around your patio and put up the special twinkle lights. 

Whatever the case, this time of year always ushers in a spirit of preparation. We prepare our calendars for holiday gatherings. We prepare our homes with Christmas-themed decorations. We prepare our plates with Christmas cookies and special holiday delicacies. We prepare everything else in our lives, but do we take time to prepare our hearts and minds?

Before the Son of God's birth, Roman leaders decreed a census to account for each person. This required people from all over Israel to return to their hometowns to be registered. This caravan included Joseph and Mary, who traveled to Bethlehem, even though Mary was very near to her time to give birth to Jesus (Luke 2:2-4).

Because so many people arrived around the same time when Mary and Joseph looked for a comfortable place for her to give birth, there was no lodging available for them (Luke 2:7). Admittedly, as someone who resides in the Western world, this is hard to imagine because I live in a time of modern medicine and hospitals, fancy hotels, and convenience. But this event held no such comforts for the birth of Christ. The only space available for Jesus’ birth was a barn!

My intention is not to villainize today's culture, which places a high value on comfort and security. However, culture, today and of old, often prioritizes comfort over holiness. Just like the influx of visitors overcrowded the accommodations in Bethlehem, we often overcrowd our hearts, moving Jesus to the fringes instead of the center.

I propose that we prepare our hearts and minds this holiday season by reading the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2). Make these true stories a part of your family’s existing traditions. Read them to your children and visiting family. Talk about the light of the world as much as you talk about the beauty of the tree with its twinkling lights. Worship our Savior King as you hum along to your favorite Christmas album. 

We are often too easily swept away in all the magical traditions causing us to forget the true gift of the Christmas season. As we prepare our homes and families for Christmas, can we also prepare room in our hearts and minds? String the lights up, sip the cocoa, and as you prepare room in your home, also prepare Christ room in your heart and mind this Christmas. Let's remember how the King of the World, the God of the Universe, the Word of God, became a gentle and lowly baby so that we would have a way to be reconciled to God for eternity. Unlike the townspeople of tiny Bethlehem, let God's people everywhere prepare Him room. 

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord, 
Thank you that even in an openly hostile, anti-Christian world, we still have the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ. God, I know there is nothing inherently wrong with the Christmas traditions, but help us to keep the proper perspective and priority this holiday season. Forgive us when we crowd up space for you by being overly distracted with traditions. Help us weave in the biblical accounts of your birth to prepare room for you in our hearts as often as we make room for the Christmas decorations this year. Help us get creative and make it a point to use this time of year to share the good news of the birth of our Savior. We love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Languishing Spirit..Amanda Idleman

 A Languishing Spirit

By Amanda Idleman 

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” - 1 Samuel 30:6 

In our post-pandemic world, many of us find ourselves stuck. We aren’t depressed, but we aren’t flourishing either. Languishing, as defined by psychologists, is a sense of apathy and lack of purpose and direction. It is not a vacuum or psychological downturn but the necessary “fallow space” interval we need to rest within ourselves before we plow, seed, and harvest new crops in our lives. It is also described as a sense of stagnation or emptiness. 

Sometimes being stuck in the middle can be the hardest place to move from. It’s important to remember that we serve a God who came so we could have an abundant life (John 10:10). We were not designed to be stuck just getting by. We were created to create! God designed us to live joyfully and with purpose! We have all faced loss, crisis, fear, disappointments, and unexpected changes over the past several years. Sadly, we have all lost something as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent aftermath.

There is a character from the Bible that also faced terror, great loss, and uncertainty; his name was David. In 1 Samuel 30, David and his army of men were on the run from Saul. When he and his men returned home, they found that their families had been carried off by their enemies. They wept until they had no more strength to weep (v.4). David could have found him stuck in a place of apathy and unending grief, but he knew that his men were counting on him. God gives him the strength to continue to lead his men forward with grace and wisdom. We can learn from his response and apply them to our own lives to gain some forward motion despite trying circumstances. 

David Found Strength in God’s Presence

1 Samuel 30:6 says, “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” 

David was not only grappling with his own personal grief but saw the potential betrayal of his men. His circumstances were bleak! When he found himself in a scary predicament, He paused and spent time in the presence of the Lord. He knew that even when his flesh and his heart failed, God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever (Psalm 73:26). 

We can find supernatural encouragement in the presence of God. Somehow a moment of prayer and worship can shift our eyes from being focused on what feels impossible to us to seeing the endless power we have through Christ. If you find yourself unable to envision a thriving life, then it’s time to spend time in a place of worship. Don’t neglect creating space to be with the Lord. He gives young men dreams and old men visions (Acts 2:17). This just means that God inspires us! 

David was Encouraged By God’s People

1 Samuel 30:7-8 says, “ Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them? “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” 

David went to the priest and then to the Lord. To find wisdom, we need the input of other believers as well as the wisdom God gives through answered prayer.  If you are struggling under the weight of loneliness and isolation, I encourage you to make a point to find a church community. We are made to do life together. As imperfect as the church can be, it is the place where we are able to find renewed purpose through community and service. 

David Knew the Voice of the Lord

In 1 Samuel 30:8, God answers David’s question. David has immediate clarity for his difficult situation because he knew the voice of the Lord. 

Do you know what God’s voice sounds like in your life? It’s hard to find purpose, joy, and passion when we are living chaotic lives! It's tempting to follow every new fad, set of advice, or trend. It’s important to care about what is going on in our world but we can start to drown if we are moved by everything that is put in front of our faces. We need to hear from the Lord to find a place to passionately move forward. 

David was able to be confident in a scary moment because he knew the voice of his Father. 

Intersecting Faith and Life 
If you are stuck and feel unable to move forward in your life, focus on the one right next step you can take to move forward. Don’t let overanalysis of what “could be” or what “has been” paralyze you. Just take one tiny step forward at a time and see the Lord begin to move on your behalf. 

Further Reading 

• 1 Samuel 30

The Thrill of Hope..Shawn McEvoy

 The Thrill of Hope

by Shawn McEvoy

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 

"A thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." ~~ O Holy Night

Does Christmas thrill you? 

Children get excited at the coming of the season, and often we might feel a bit of a charge through experiencing their amazement, but the chores we go through to provide that for them are often the very things that rob us from knowing the wonder for ourselves. Plan the party, trim the tree, max out the MasterCard, wrap, ship, take a trip. And that's assuming we aren't one of the multitudes who find themselves with a case of the Holiday Blues. 

So if Christ's coming into this world offers hope, and hope, as the song says, provides a thrill, how do we locate that experience amid the distraction and disillusionment of December? 

Well that's the cool thing about Hope. Just as total darkness can't hold back the light of a tiny flame, so does even the smallest increment of Hope provide joy and purpose. 

Here are a few scriptures I've been mulling over on the subject:

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

Notice the parallel between "things hoped for" and "things not seen." Talk about a paradox; try applying "assurance" to something your five senses can't detect. It's a challenge. The plus side is that hope, through Christ, is available to you no matter what you see, hear, or feel. It's above your circumstances.

"We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance [brings about]proven character; and proven character [brings about] hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Do you ever hear people say, "I don't want to get my hopes up" because they're afraid of being disappointed? What would you make of Paul's claim that "hope does not disappoint"? Might the disconnect have something to do with what we're hoping for or expecting? Max Lucado thinks so: 

"Hope is not what you'd expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending… Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction."[1]

"Love… hopes all things…but now abide faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:7,13).

Ever wonder why faith, hope, and love are the greatest virtues, and apparently in that order? 

Maybe hope isn't actually something we do, but something we receive, like grace. If it's true that "without faith it is impossible for us to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6), perhaps it's conversely true that without Hope it would be impossible for Him to please us. The same verse says that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Is hope that reward? 

I mean, if faith is what we give to God, and hope is what He gives to us, then we have the dynamic of a relationship. With that in place, we can love. So love is built on hope, which is built on faith. 

For hope to exist, unfortunately it looks like there has to be hopelessness first. A perfect world wouldn't have any need of hope. Deliverance arrives undeservedly and perhaps unexpectedly, just as in the unlikely way God came to earth to provide a once-and-for-all substitute for the sins of all men on the first Christmas. That's why things can look bleak, but that's where hope lives. 

The good news is: you simply can't hope big enough, which goes back to the idea of our minds and senses being inadequate to judge God's design and methods, and hope being more a function of God's involvement than our desires. I readily acknowledge I could not have conceived of the plan of salvation or the virgin birth. I couldn't have imagined the plan for the walls of Jericho to crumble, for hungry lions to turn into Daniel's pet kittens, or the Red Sea to part and offer up dry land. So neither do I know how my problems will be solved, or what miracles I'll be blessed to see this Christmas. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 concerns the hope of the prophecy being fulfilled that brought us a "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace." The last sentence of verse seven says it's "the zeal of the Lord" that will accomplish this. God is excited! He's zealous (enthusiastic, passionate, obsessive even) to bring us this hope! 

Romans 15:13 is my Christmas prayer: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Why is there hope? Because Jesus was born. O holy night. What a thrill. God is at work.  

Intersecting Faith & Life: What does hope out of despair look like? There are lots of examples in any Christian's life, but in terms of contemporary cinema, I know of no better example than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Go back and watch those movies again over the holidays, keeping an eye out for allusions to hope and hopelessness.  

Further Reading

Isaiah 9:6-7