UNLOCKING FREEDOM IN CHRIST: FAITH, LOVE, AND HUMILITY

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Freedom

Scripture:  Galatians 5:1 - “Freedom in Christ”

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.

Thought:  Remember that justification is gained through faith by following the story of love in the Bible.   Faith, love, and a relationship with = Jesus equals salvation, not “works.”  This points to living a life like Christ.

Application:  Seek a life where you love someone and not perform “deeds.”  We must live good (be kind) and true to our faith.  You can't hold your Bible in one hand and sin with the other. 

Response:  Father I pray that the sin you take from me does not creep back into my life and I am justified in your eyes.

Looking back Today (2025):  We all need a role model, why not choose Christ.  I am amazed today at the timing of God.  As I am looking back on Galatians Chapter one and my Journal entry from 2017 to gain additional insight from God’s word I have been blessed by his perfect timing.  I am part of a group, a team if you will, that is experiencing some growing pains and the first lesson the Holy Spirit knew I needed to recall today is taught in Galatians 5:6 where we are reminded that “... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  As a team member, just like in faith, I needed to remember that there is something bigger than myself and Galatians 6:13 reminded me that we are to “... serve each other humbly in love.”  The word of Jesus himself (red font in my bible, Matthew 22:37-40) teaches me that the entire law of the bible “hang” on two commandments summarized as follows.  Love God and your neighbor. Galatians 5:14 echoes the words of Jesus where we are reminded in verse 14 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  All of these lessons and the struggles of a TEAM (remember there is no I in team) are so important when you see the words of caution in verse 15 where we are warned!  Galatians 5:15 - “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

In summary, the lessons that I read today have taught me that I can serve others by leaning on my faith before speaking and I can love my neighbor by humbling myself.  I must  use a kinder voice, the voice of Jesus, instead of the coarse words that FRANK so often chooses.  If I am to grow, my words must come from deep in my heart and be Spirit led.  Humility is hard for me and I must remember how this word… humility was taught to me that ties all the lessons that I’ve shared above.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often.

Definitions:  

Justification / Justified: Refers to being declared righteous and free from the penalty of sin, not based on one's own merit, but on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.1

TRUSTING GOD'S PLAN: WISDOM, PEACE, AND LESS STRESS

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Faithfulness of God

Scripture:  Psalm 111:7-8

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

Thought:  Precept - a rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. if you don't understand God's will, you can be sure that you can trust His intentions. He will steer you in the right direction.

Application:  Have a healthy fear of the father and strive to live by his rules.

Response:  Father, I pray that I can grow my faith and ask less questions, especially of You

Looking back Today (2025):  While we live in a fast paced world, slowing down to focus on God’s will for our lives may allow us to live with less stress and find some peace.   Lets face it, some rules are hard to follow. However, in verse 10 we learn that there is wisdom to be gained.  Verse 10 says… “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”  Let me paraphrase that differently.  You may find yourself thankfully praising God if you take your hands off the wheel and let him drive your life!  When I am able to surrender myself and seek the Lord's guidance about what is best for my life, or a how to act in a particular situation, I immediately seem to have less stress.  Perhaps the wisdom in verse 10 is that His understanding surpasses anything we could imagine and we become wise when we seek his guidance… and then listen intently to your heart about what Jesus would have you do. 

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.111.7-8

EMBRACING PEACE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Forgiveness of God

Scripture:  Romans 8:1-2

There's now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Thought:  By living for Christ we are set free from the law of sin and death. Laws can't forgive sins, they still happen.  Punishment under the law does not forgive sins, Jesus forgave with his life... if you live with his spirit and seek Him and live by his laws. 

Application:  First, seek to eliminate sin.  Second, seek forgiveness and guidance from God when we fail.  Seek it with truthful intentions to eradicate it in our lives.

Response:  Father, I fail you yet you receive me.  Help me to see what is wrong in your eyes and change my ways.

Looking back Today (2025):  Reading Romans 8 again today one item struck me.  In verse 6 we are reminded that “the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.”  Living life with peace is much more satisfying than going to battle with turmoil each day.  This reminds me of the wisdom that my wife Renae so often shares… let go and let God.  When I consider all the situations that would be so much easier if I just let go it is humbling.  Every situation is a choice and we are reminded to choose wisely.  The best choice I can make is to choose God each morning with a simple prayer before I get out of bed. So my 2025 Response would be as follows.  Father, I ask you to send your Spirit to my mind each morning to guide me in the choices I make each day.  Let me reflect on my choices at the end of each day and seek your guidance where my choices were not those of your Spirit.

https://www.bible.com/bible/113/ROM.8.1-2

UNLOCKING EMOTIONAL FREEDOM THROUGH LOVE: A TIMELESS PRINCIPLE

UNLOCKING EMOTIONAL FREEDOM THROUGH LOVE: A TIMELESS PRINCIPLE

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Finances - “Love Fulfills the Law”

Scripture:  Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.

Thought:  Love is always good, it does no harm.

Application:  Think about all actions in life and if it has the potential to do harm, in any  manner, then it may not be loving.

Response:   Father, may I be reflection of your love and learn to do so more freely.

Looking back Today (2025):  Life is complicated in so many ways, but this lesson is simple…  LOVE HELPS!  Love changes perspective.  Whether it is to love myself more, loving those I am surround by each day, or to love the situations that I’m placed in each day, trying to add a little love certainly will not hurt.

Surely this bible verse was placed on the readers help titled “Finances” because of the word debt.  It is leaving me thinking, how far in debt am I to the world?  How much love do I need to “put in” to pay off my debt?    

https://www.bible.com/bible/463/ROM.13.8