Freedom

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By: Sandy Spiwak

This is the month of July and we just celebrated independences day from Great Britain in 1776. I looked up the word freedom in the dictionary and this is what is said, “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” The Fourth of July is known for fireworks and BBQs. Yet have you ever considered the holiday as an opportunity to worship and praise God for the freedom He granted to us. 

The founder fathers culminated with the Declaration of Independence with the reminder that our freedom and citizenship is a sacred honor granted to us by God. Galatians 5:13, it tells us that “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Scripture has a lot to say about freedom. 

Life contains many valleys struggles, pain, hurts, depression, sorrow, loneness, and lots of tiers. The bible reminds us in Psalm 118:5 what to do, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me free.” That there is freedom even in all the struggles. The goal of following Jesus is not that you and I would not walk through the valleys, it is that you and I would walk through each valley with deeper faith and more dependence on God. And with the knowledge that He would lead you and me out, because He always has, does, and always will. The valleys become the place where you and I grow. The valleys where you and I truly experience His grace and His strength. When we trust God in all things it brings a freedom that doesn’t exist elsewhere. Romans 6:18 reads “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” This is not our righteousness but His righteousness. I pray if you don’t know the freedom you have in Jesus Christ our Lord that you will let him show you. Remember you are free and you no longer need to walk in bondage we know this because John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

He died on the cross to set you and I free Mark 10:45 tells us. And Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that You and I are the joy set before him. Walk in freedom knowing that you and I are forgiven, accepted and approved by God. There is good news today! Romans 8:21 says “that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

#Freedom #encouragement #wordofencouragement #Galatians #Mark #Psalm #John #Hebrews #EncouragementforJuly #beencouraged #SandySpiewak