Freedom

“...proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”  Leviticus 25:10  (as inscribed on the Liberty Bell)

Today Americans celebrate independence.  Freedom.  

In the late 1700s, colonists sought release from British control.  After bravely battling against incredibly skewed odds... they won that liberty... taking charge and creating a government that allowed choice and protection.

A young nation... experiencing freedom.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ sought to release the people He created and loves from the eternal punishment for sin.  After bravely enduring incomprehensible suffering due to incredibly skewed charges... He won the ultimate victory... stepping boldly from a grave and completing a new covenant with His creation.

A sinful world... experiencing real freedom.

Liberty came long before 1776.  It didn’t involve redcoats or revolutionaries... brigades or battlefields.  It didn’t come from a pen dipped in ink or proclamations made against a King named George.  It was established centuries before the shot heard round the world rang out... or George Washington issued his first command.  

It started with a baby... and ended with a betrayal.

It started with water to wine and ended with wine and bread.

It started with three wise men and ended with three crosses on a hillside.

Freedom began when the veil tore.  When the ground shook.  When the King of Kings hung His beautiful head and declared “It is finished.”  When death lost its perfect record for keeping people under.  When the stone rolled back...  When the tomb stood empty... When the Savior rose again with your name on His mind and heart.  

Eternal freedom happened because you matter to God.

Jesus came to earth with a revolutionary way of thinking, a sinless battle plan against the power of death, and marching orders that make it possible for you to spend eternity with Him in victory.  

Statesman Patrick Henry declared in 1775, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Jesus’ life declared... I’ll suffer death so you can have liberty.

No matter how trapped, held down, beat up, or oppressed you feel... never forget Jesus’ declaration of your independence...

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”  John 8:36

If you are a Christ-follower, you ARE set free.  Believe it and live it out!  Let’s take today to celebrate our country... our Creator... and His courageous sacrifice on our behalf.

Trapped?

The zoo is an interesting place.   Modern zoos have eliminated cages and replaced them with “natural” habitats... where the animals feel as though they are in a familiar place with every creature comfort they could ever want.  Twice daily, zookeepers come in and feed them perfect cuts of meat or high quality grain... their water supply is clean... and they sleep in man-made structures built to resemble nature’s finest.  It’s everything an animal could ever hope for... or is it?  

So often, real freedom is confused with the perception of freedom.  People spend their lives in luxury... all their needs and wants are taken care of... yet they still find themselves trapped.  So how do they get out?  The Bible tells us in John 8:36 that when we live in a relationship with Christ, we are truly free.  No more limitations.  When we give ourselves to Him and let Him take over, we get to experience His power, grace, strength, and provision.  No matter how comfortable we try to make it... a cage is a cage.  Find yourself still missing something?  Seek Christ and unlock the door to a life of  true liberty and purpose.

Click

      Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist issued a challenge wherever he went. He could be locked in any jail cell in the country, he claimed, and set himself free quickly and easily. Always he kept his promise, but one time something went wrong. Houdini entered the jail in his street clothes; the heavy, metal doors clanged shut behind him. He took from his belt a concealed piece of metal, strong and flexible. He set to work immediately, but something seemed to be unusual about this lock. For 30 minutes he worked and got nowhere. An hour passed, and still he had not opened the door. By now he was bathed in sweat and panting in exasperation, but he still could not pick the lock. 

Harry Houdini was trapped.  The clock was ticking....and he was genuinely scared.

The mind is a powerful thing.  For some of us, we’ve been trying to figure out how to be happy... how to break free... for a long time.  Every time we think we have it solved, we struggle with the lock... and hear the sound... 

click.  

We try something new... we beg God... we act nicer... we treat people a little better... all trying to somehow impress God so He will lift the burden of the prison we’re in.

click.  Still locked.

Anger, frustration, and doubt all begin to replace what little hope we had left.  We are in prison... and it seems that it is where we are bound to stay.  That bad decision, word that was said, past discrepancy... all gatekeepers to a cell that seems permanently sealed.  The lock won’t budge... and whatever happiness we may have once had is a memory. 

Is there a way out?  What will set us free? 

What does God suggest we do about it?  

Before we discover that... let’s go back to our story of Houdini:

Finally, after laboring for 2 hours, Harry Houdini collapsed in frustration and failure against the door he could not unlock. But when he fell against the door, it swung open! It had never been locked at all! But in his mind it was locked and that was all it took to keep him from opening the door and walking out of the jail cell.

Houdini escaped the cell because he stopped struggling with the lock on a door that wasn’t locked to start with.

We do the same thing every day.  Our mind holds us prisoner in a cell that isn’t locked.  

God tells us to handle it this way: 

Psalm 46:1 “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”

Be still.  Hardly our first reaction to being locked down...beaten up... or shaken.  

Ever used a finger prison?  Those gags where you put the tips of your index fingers into the ends of a braided paper cylinder.  When you tug on them, you can’t get your fingers loose.  The trick?  Don’t tug.  Relax and slowly remove each finger individually. 

When we quit struggling... when we stop pushing... when we cease trying to force it... when we let God be God... He reveals that what is holding us back isn’t our circumstances, it is our perception of the power of the lock.  

In fact, if you look closely at the lock, you can see the manufacturer.  Can you see it?  It isn’t Master or Yardley or even Black & Decker.

It says Satan on it... and he wants you to think it’s the strongest lock ever made.  What you did is unforgiveable... who you are is unchangeable... what happened is irreversible.  

Not true.  

God wants to be God in our lives.  He wants us to relax...refocus...and realize that He is working ahead of things... that Grace is for us too... and that He is key to our happiness.

When Christ resurrected, the door to every cell in every prison in every mind sprung open.  Don’t focus on the lock of your circumstances... push on the door.  It’s open.  God made sure of it.  If you’ve been bound... stop struggling.   Give those heavy chains to God and gently push against what seems to be permanently holding you in.

Trust me... that door will open and you will be released.

Released from pain, guilt, inadequacy, low self-esteem, past failure... Does the pain go away?  Not immediately, but the only way to start the process...the first step to true freedom from what has held us in... is the release from the unlocked prison.  

I can hear doors swinging open all over the world.  Let the healing begin.  

New Beginning

 When I was younger, I used to love to play the original Atari.  Remember it?  One block shooting or hitting something at another block and once in awhile you’d score a point?  I know... it’s old school.  The games were fun but I quickly found out that I didn’t like to lose to my brothers.  In fact, when the game looked like that might happen, I was always tempted to “accidentally” nudge the reset button and start the game again.  

Sometimes starting over is exactly what we need to do.  Look what God says in 1 John:

 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9 

God allows new beginnings... do overs... resets...  He is full of grace, abounding in love, and generous in heart.  He lets us start again with new knowledge of how not to do it.  

But what does He ask of us?  Look at the very first part of the verse today... 

Confession.  

Telling God what He already knows.  So many don’t because they figure if they don’t tell their sin to God... the act remains hidden.  It’s like the child who covers his eyes and tells the world “you can’t see me!”  But of course we can.  When a toddler does it... we smile at their naiveté.   When we do it with our sins to God... we justify it as necessary.  

And the sin sits in the heart and festers... it becomes guilt, which leads to resentment, which causes pain.   Years of unnecessary pain.   Today’s scripture reminds us of a way to mend... tell God.  Not a friend.  Not a Pastor.  Not a journal.  Tell God.  It won’t be pleasant at first... we’re going to want to hide some stuff... and it may be tempting to change the story... but we must come clean.  

Fully. Honestly. Completely.

And if we keep reading the verse... we find that God forgives us.  Time and time again.  God allows us a reset.  Does this give us free reign to sin at will?  Of course not.  There are consequences to our choices.  We shouldn’t intentionally break the heart of someone we are in relationship with... and God is no exception.  If we know Him as Lord, we should do our best to honor and worship Him by avoiding sin as much as possible.  

But when we confess what we’ve done...

To our Creator who knew we were going to be imperfect and made us anyway....

We are forgiven.

We are cleansed.

We are allowed a reset. 

We haven’t earned it... but God willingly gives it.  Is there something on your heart that is holding you back?  An unconfessed sin?  Something that has stained your conscience for years?  A blemish that needs to be set right?   Take some time today to confess it to God.  He promises forgiveness to those who know Him as Lord.

Your reset awaits.  

Freedom

2013 marked the final year in the life of one of the world’s most influential leaders:  Nelson Mandela.  Held in prison for 27 years, he bravely stood against the oppressive rule of Apartheid.  The day he was released from jail, Mandela was quoted as saying “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Freedom.  Real freedom.  Have you ever experienced it?  Have you ever been imprisoned by those feelings that could have easily trapped Nelson Mandela?

Bitterness.  Hatred.

Feelings that if left unchecked can place a cage over our life… subjecting us to years of cruel imprisonment.  When we let them overwhelm us, we torture ourselves… poisoned by our own unwillingness to move on.  Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…”  How do we do that?  Discover the key to the cell…  Forgiveness.  Not forgetfulness.  Not acting like it didn’t happen.  Not pretending that everything is erased.  Just forgiving those that caused the pain… releasing the revengeful heart so that you can walk into the sunlight of the rest of your life.   Forgiveness isn’t for them.  They may not have asked for it or even deserve it.  It’s for you.  It’s your opportunity to get past your past… to learn from the pain… and experience the freedom that comes from following Christ’s example.

Caged

The zoo is an interesting place.   Modern zoos have eliminated cages and replaced them with “natural” habitats... where the animals feel as though they are in a familiar place with every creature comfort they could ever want.  Twice daily, zookeepers come in and feed them perfect cuts of meat or high quality grain... their water supply is clean... and they sleep in man-made structures built to resemble nature’s finest.  It’s everything an animal could ever hope for... or is it?  

So often, real freedom is confused with the perception of freedom.  People spend their lives in luxury... all their needs and wants are taken care of... yet they still find themselves trapped.  So how do they get out?  The Bible tells us in John 8:36 that when we live in a relationship with Christ, we are truly free.  No more limitations.  When we give ourselves to Him and let Him take over, we get to experience His power, grace, strength, and provision.  No matter how comfortable we try to make it... a cage is a cage.  Find yourself still missing something?  Seek Christ and unlock the door to a life of  true liberty and purpose.  

True Freedom

“...proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”  Leviticus 25:10  (as inscribed on the Liberty Bell)

Tomorrow Americans celebrate independence.  Freedom.  

In the late 1700s, colonists sought release from British control.  After bravely battling against incredibly skewed odds... they won that liberty... taking charge and creating a government that allowed choice and protection.

A young nation... experiencing freedom.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ sought to release the people He created and loves from the eternal punishment for sin.  After bravely enduring incomprehensible suffering due to incredibly skewed charges... He won the ultimate victory... stepping boldly from a grave and completing a new covenant with His creation.

A sinful world... experiencing real freedom.

Liberty came long before 1776.  It didn’t involve redcoats or revolutionaries... brigades or battlefields.  It didn’t come from a pen dipped in ink or proclamations made against a King named George.  It was established centuries before the shot heard round the world rang out... or George Washington issued his first command.  

It started with a baby... and ended with a betrayal.

It started with water to wine and ended with wine and bread.

It started with three wise men and ended with three crosses on a hillside.

Freedom began when the veil tore.  When the ground shook.  When the King of Kings hung His beautiful head and declared “It is finished.”  When death lost its perfect record for keeping people under.  When the stone rolled back...  When the tomb stood empty... When the Savior rose again with your name on His mind and heart.  

Eternal freedom happened because you matter to God.

Jesus came to earth with a revolutionary way of thinking, a sinless battle plan against the power of death, and marching orders that make it possible for you to spend eternity with Him in victory.  

Statesman Patrick Henry declared in 1775, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Jesus’ life declared... I’ll suffer death so you can have liberty.

No matter how trapped, held down, beat up, or oppressed you feel... never forget Jesus’ declaration of your independence...

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”  John 8:36

If you are a Christ-follower, you ARE set free.  Believe it and live it out!  Let’s take tomorrow to celebrate our country... our Creator... and His courageous sacrifice on our behalf.

Love and blessings to you and your family on this Independence Day weekend.  Be sure to join us at one of our campuses for an amazing time of fun, food, and family!  

Here With a Purpose

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13

“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:42-45

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”  1 Cor. 4:1-2

“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”  Luke 14:23

“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,”  Matthew 20:26

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...” Philippians 2:1-30

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”  John 12:26

“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.’”  Mark 12: 29-31

We are here with a purpose.

We all have gifts.

Our gifts are not for us.

They are to serve others.  

Serving His people is what we were created to do.  Loving on the lonely... reaching out to the hurting... serving those that are seeking Christ.   

The road to our God potential leads us through the valley of selflessness... putting others first... sacrificing so that people we may not even know can come face-to-face with a Savior who sacrificed everything on their behalf.

And we get to do that.  

We get to be servants.

Let’s make today a time of using our God-given gifts to care for those that He brings our way.

Lives will change and God will get the glory.  

Free?

The zoo is an interesting place.   Modern zoos have eliminated cages and replaced them with “natural” habitats... where the animals feel as though they are in a familiar place with every creature comfort they could ever want.  Twice daily, zookeepers come in and feed them perfect cuts of meat or high quality grain... their water supply is clean... and they sleep in man-made structures built to resemble nature’s finest.  It’s everything an animal could ever hope for... or is it?  

So often, real freedom is confused with the perception of freedom.  People spend their lives in luxury... all their needs and wants are taken care of... yet they still find themselves trapped.  So how do they get out?  The Bible tells us in John 8:36 that when we live in a relationship with Christ, we are truly free.  No more limitations.  When we give ourselves to Him and let Him take over, we get to experience His power, grace, strength, and provision.  No matter how comfortable we try to make it... a cage is a cage.  Find yourself still missing something?  Seek Christ and unlock the door to a life of  true liberty and purpose.  

Liberty

“...proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” Leviticus 25:10 (as inscribed on the Liberty Bell)

Today Americans celebrate independence. Freedom. 

In the late 1700s, colonists sought release from British control. After bravely battling against incredibly skewed odds... they won that liberty... taking charge and creating a government that allowed choice and protection.

A young nation... experiencing freedom.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ sought to release the people He created and loves from the eternal punishment for sin. After bravely enduring incomprehensible suffering due to incredibly skewed charges... He won the ultimate victory... stepping boldly from a grave and completing a new covenant with His creation.

A sinful world... experiencing real freedom.

Liberty came long before 1776. It didn’t involve redcoats or revolutionaries... brigades or battlefields. It didn’t come from a pen dipped in ink or proclamations made against a King named George. It was established centuries before the shot heard round the world rang out... or George Washington issued his first command.

It started with a baby... and ended with a betrayal.

It started with water to wine and ended with wine and bread.

It started with three wise men and ended with three crosses on a hillside.

Freedom began when the veil tore. When the ground shook. When the King of Kings hung His beautiful head and declared “It is finished.” When death lost its perfect record for keeping people under. When the stone rolled back... When the tomb stood empty... When the Savior rose again with your name on His mind and heart.

Eternal freedom happened because you matter to God.

Jesus came to earth with a revolutionary way of thinking, a sinless battle plan against the power of death, and marching orders that make it possible for you to spend eternity with Him in victory.

Statesman Patrick Henry declared in 1775, “Give me liberty or give me death.”

Jesus’ life declared... I’ll suffer death so you can have liberty.

No matter how trapped, held down, beat up, or oppressed you feel... never forget Jesus’ declaration of your independence...

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36

If you are a Christ-follower, you ARE set free. Believe it and live it out! Let’s take today to celebrate our country... our Creator... and His courageous sacrifice on our behalf.

Love and blessings to you and your family on this Independence Day.

Truly Free

2013 marked the final year in the life of one of the world’s most influential leaders:  Nelson Mandela.  Held in prison for 27 years, he bravely stood against the oppressive rule of Apartheid.  The day he was released from jail, Mandela was quoted as saying “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Freedom.  Real freedom.  Have you ever experienced it?  Have you ever been imprisoned by those feelings that could have easily trapped Nelson Mandela?

Bitterness.  Hatred.

Feelings that if left unchecked can place a cage over our life… subjecting us to years of cruel imprisonment.  When we let them overwhelm us, we torture ourselves… poisoned by our own unwillingness to move on.  Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…”  How do we do that?  Discover the key to the cell…  Forgiveness.  Not forgetfulness.  Not acting like it didn’t happen.  Not pretending that everything is erased.  Just forgiving those that caused the pain… releasing the revengeful heart so that you can walk into the sunlight of the rest of your life.   Forgiveness isn’t for them.  They may not have asked for it or even deserve it.  It’s for you.  It’s your opportunity to get past your past… to learn from the pain… and experience the freedom that comes from following Christ’s example.