The Power of Freedom

...means that we get to choose. But what will we choose? When I think about my own decision making I can become, um, shy, when I consider how many of my decisions are self serving. How often do I seek to do the things that I think will make me happy. It makes me think of the scripture "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue." Prov 16:1, or even better from the NLT: "We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer."

Does that mean that freedom is null and void? Do we really not have a choice, because the best choice is following what God says, whether we feel like it or not? Romans 6:17 (NLT): "Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you." The power of freedom becomes all the more powerful when you willfully choose the greater good. There is power in that. But I will show you a more excellent way (1 Cor 12:31).

Turning the corner on the root of making a good choice enables us to relinquish our power, and turn it over servanthood. And we know that the greatest love is this: that you lay down your life for a friend (John 15:13).

Lord Jesus, I need hope this morning, hope that I will connect with You in a meaningful way. That I will receive Your call to me in friendship, and the power to give up what I cannot keep to gain what I cannot lose (Jim Elliot): Give up my hold on my life to gain a hold of Your Love! Thank You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Comments

Meditation as Rightly Concentrated Consideration | Contemplation as The Course of Right Action

Let us begin by saying that the basic difference between meditation and contemplation is that meditation is a human mode of prayer whereas contemplation is divinely infused prayer. This morning I consider, consideration. It's a term often used in the Bible, I believe in both the old and new testament. While you are going about your life, have you considered this... It's the entryway to the contemplative life. I use contemplation there, as a culminating thing, intentionally. Before I read a little bit, I might have considered using the word meditation instead, but that reveals my persuasion and error; also my inexperience. Meditation is man-initiated deep-thought. It's hope is to reach God. Contemplation, as exposed in the article below, is Spirit-breathed prayer inside of us, guiding us to right and holy actions. As I was searching consideration "vs" the other 2 terms, concentration came up. Presently, I see that as the course from consideration to meditation....

Abide.

March 8th And now abide these three, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13 John 15. Jesus is at his most concise and articulate. John remembers. Time is short. Jesus has to summarize how they are to live after He is gone and, because it may get hard, why . His guidance weaves into and out of God; it abides and commands. For love and joy. It makes friends. And something else. Jesus didn't have to come. He could have let this place alone. And that's probably why those who hated Him really hated Him. He told them they were wrong. He messed up their flow and their designs. They had a pretty good handle on things, managing the masses, and He was disruptive... for what reason?! But He did come. And He did call a spade a spade. And He did come with a double edged sword. He made clear what the choice was. And the benefits on one hand, the dangers on the other.

Just Wait

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. Isaiah 40:31 I'm thinking about picking up John Mark Comer's Loveology. I'm not infatuated with his style, but he does have an uncanny knack of navigating great depths breezily. And I'm in need of reconsidering love and my relationship with my wife. This morning, feeling we are on a drought of sorts, I'm thinking "what can I do?" And as I searched (with an honest to God search) I saw how men centuries over have navigated the mystery of the inner world of their wives. I've long shared a favorite image explaining the dichotomy of men and women, showing the intricacies of turning on a woman versus, well, a man. So, what can I do? I hate to say it... wait. My wife needs to know that I can. After years of it coming pretty easy, I think it's time to get in there and turn a few knobs, flick a few switches and tweak intimacy. There's a difference betwee...

In the Morning When I Rise

Search This Blog