July 7 ~ Romans 6:12
That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom of God.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Are you still connected to the sins of your past in some little way? Maybe you have quit partying and drinking, but you will still make a booze run for your buddies. Maybe you gave up drugs… but you still smoke pot. Maybe you have quit doing things you know are sinful, but you look the other way when your buddies do them. There is a fine line between condoning sin and being a friend. If you constantly come down on your friends for their sinful behavior, they probably will stop hanging around you – and you will lose the opportunity to witness to them. BUT… if you sit idly by and never say a thing to them, or worse yet, you let them think that what they do is fine with you, then you had just as well jump right in there with them.
Think of it this way. If you go fishing, and you catch a big fish, that fish will squirm and wiggle and try its hardest to get off the line and avoid ending up as your dinner! And let’s say it’s “catch and release.” Once you release the fish, do you honestly think it will swim around your legs and give you a chance to catch it again? I would imagine that fish will swim as hard and fast as possible downstream and away from you for the rest of the day! The fish will not give you any chance to snag him on your line again! So why would we, as Christians, do any differently in our Spiritual lives? Jesus, the Great Fisherman, has caught us and released us (from our sins) and sent us out into the waters of life. If we continue to sin, the next “catch” might be that of Satan, who is always watching and waiting for a chance to trap us in a life of sin again.
This may seem like a dumb analogy, but do you get the picture? You’ve been given your freedom. You don’t have to live in sin ever again… but Satan sure hopes you will. Don’t give him any chance to make an inroad. Stay in God’s word, focus on Him, PRAY, and be free in Christ forever!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 6 ~ Romans 6:3-5
3-5 That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever wished you could completely start over… that you could have a totally new life and a second chance? Well, my friend… that is all possible, and more. See, when we surrender to Christ and make Him the Lord of our life, He truly does give us a new life. “Okay,” you are saying, “but I gave my life to Christ a long, long time ago.” I understand your feelings... the “new” may have worn off your new life in Christ, and you may be “in a slump” of sorts.
I know… I’ve been there! But here’s the deal. When you feel this way, it might just be that God is gently reminding you that it doesn’t have to be like this. He did send Jesus to pay the price for your sins, and if you really, honestly are living for Christ and doing the things He asks you to do to stay in His perfect will, you can rise out of that slump. You will be so busy doing things for the Lord that you won’t have time to even think about anything else, and in that, you will find such joy. It has worked for me. When I feel those old feelings creeping in – the emptiness, the loneliness, the boredom – I know that I have stepped away from following Jesus completely and with everything I have. Selfishness has crept in and I’ve lost focus.
Have you ever heard of S.A.D. – Seasonal Affective Disorder? It’s a condition where people feel extremely sad or depressed, particularly in winter months or times when the weather is dark and dreary for several days in a row. The “cure” is often bright light – a lamp that simulates daylight. And frequently the symptoms improve or disappear when the sun comes out again. Often, we are afflicted with Spiritual S.A.D. We give in to the darkness and let it cloud our hearts and our thinking. And our “cure” is to keep walking in the Light of Christ. We must keep His word and Spirit burning brightly in our daily living. We must rise in Him and live FOR Him, each and every day. Step out into the Sonshine, and feel the joy His freedom brings us!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 5 ~ John 8:34-38
34-38 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham's descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. I'm talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
I thought long and hard about this passage and how it applied to us today. I looked at the passage in probably six different translations. And here’s what I came away with… on this earth, we may be “slaves” to someone or something… our parents, our spouses, our boyfriends or girlfriends, our boss or our job – even our church leaders. We may feel like we have to do whatever they say and act however they want us to act and think and believe like they tell us. BUT… if these things do not line up with the Word of God, we are choosing a life of sin, and in essence, we are choosing to remain enslaved to whatever earthly master we are serving.
I’m not saying to be disobedient to your parents. I am not saying to pick a fight with your spouse or your girlfriend or boyfriend. I am not saying to be disrespectful of your church leaders, your teacher, or your boss. But you do have a choice. Jesus paid an extremely high price for your Spiritual freedom. Whatever it costs us to follow Him pales in comparison… and I promise you, the reward – the FREEDOM – it brings will be totally worth it.
So how do you apply this? When your dad says, “let’s play golf this Sunday,” tell him you’ll be glad to – after church! When your husband or wife would rather go to Tunica than tithe, make sure YOUR portion of the tithe doesn’t go with them! When your church leaders want to start a program you feel is counter to the purposes of your church, you must speak up! If your boss asks you to do something you know is unethical at best – and maybe even dishonest or illegal, you must say “No!” God will protect you. Jesus has bought your freedom… He will never let you down. We can choose to be slaves to our old ways and the life Satan chooses for us, or we can choose freedom in Jesus Christ. Only one choice makes any sense to me – what about you?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 4 ~ Luke 4:16-21
16-21 He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Today is the day we celebrate our country’s independence from England. Over time, I think we have come to relate to July 4th as a day of picnics, parties, swimming, and of course fireworks – and also we have deemed it our Independence Day from ALL other nations and rulers.
Do you have a Spiritual Independence Day? Do you remember the day you gave your heart to Jesus Christ? Do you have a day that you celebrate each year as your “Spiritual Independence Day?” I have to admit, I don’t remember the date, nor do I have such a day, but maybe I should! But honestly, shouldn’t EVERY day be “Spiritual Independence Day”? Shouldn’t we celebrate every day because of the tremendous things Jesus has done for us? He set the burdened and battered FREE! Isn’t that ALL of us? Aren’t we all burdened and battered at one time or another by Satan and his evil acts? Shouldn’t we be proud that we are free in Christ and celebrate His ransom of our souls?Today, as you celebrate our country and our freedoms, take a moment to thank God for sending His Son to give us the only real freedom that matters… freedom from our sins. And as you light fireworks and cut the cake and grill a burger, consider that you are celebrating a little more this year than most… and make this holiday more special than ever!
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 3 ~ Jeremiah 34:15
"'And now, you—what have you done? First you turned back to the right way and did the right thing, decreeing freedom for your brothers and sisters—and you made it official in a solemn covenant in my Temple. And then you turned right around and broke your word, making a mockery of both me and the covenant, and made them all slaves again, these men and women you'd just set free. You forced them back into slavery.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
Have you ever said, “Tomorrow, I am starting a diet! I am no longer going to be a slave to my weight. I’m going to do it!” And “tomorrow” came, and you did fairly well, but by the end of the week, you were right back to your old habits and eating the wrong things, and the diet had flown out the window. OR… you have repented of your sins and promised God that “from now on, I’m going to follow you, and I am not going to go back to my sinful ways,” and maybe you even make a formal covenant with God – join a church, profess your faith before a congregation – and then, before long, you are a slave to your sinful ways again. OR… maybe you publicly denounce racism and discrimination – you make a BIG deal out of how “politically correct” and forward thinking you are – and then in secret, you bash other races, you are sexist, you are intolerant.
Do you see that in doing these things, you are forfeiting your freedom? In doing these things, you are a slave to the very thing you wish to avoid or remove. Ask God to help you to develop character, resolve, and HIS will power. Ask Him to help you truly free yourself of these tricks and tools of the devil and be completely, honestly “loosed” in Christ.Trust me on this one – the biggest freedom you will ever experience is letting go of your heart and your desires and giving yourself completely over to God. HE will carry all of your worries and issues. He WILL set you free.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 2 ~ Isaiah 61:1-7
1-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory. They'll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They'll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. You'll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields, But you'll have the title "Priests of God," honored as ministers of our God. You'll feast on the bounty of nations, you'll bask in their glory. Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
As I read this passage, the words “rubble” and “ruins” stood out to me. The phrase, “raise a new city out of the wreckage” was emphatic, and followed by “feast on the bounty of nations” and “your joy go on forever.” What does this mean for us? How does this apply to our lives today? Where is the freedom in this for us?
And then it hit me… on September 11, 2001, countless families were forever changed. Buildings – and lives – lay in ruins and rubble. Wreckage was certainly everywhere. And at the time, it seemed like nothing would ever be good again – for the people of New York City and the surrounding area – and all of us.
I have said before that I correspond with two families who lost men at Ground Zero. Both were firefighters for Ladder Company 21 who left home that morning to do their job and never came back. Keith Glascoe left a wife and two children – and a baby on the way. Joe Henry left his parents, a girlfriend, brothers, and other family and friends who now mourn his passing. Today, Keith Glascoe, Jr. and his two brothers are growing and flourishing. The pictures their mother sends me show happy, smiling faces – and mischievous sparkling eyes. Joe Henry’s mother, Alice, sends me clippings and notes to update me on their family and the birth of their grandson, Patrick Joseph – named after his uncle Joey.
In the wreckage, ruin, and rubble of a horrible day, God has given these families a new joy. He has raised them and blessed them. Sure, they would love to have Joe and Keith back again. But they have not allowed the horrific loss of these men to imprison them. Because, you see, that is what Satan wants. He wants the bad things in our lives to weigh us down so heavily that we can’t move. He wants to steal our joy and our ability to live and breathe and enjoy everything God has given us. But God offers us freedom from all of that. It won’t be easy… and there will most certainly be losses along the way… but He will comfort those who mourn… He will give beautiful roses for your ashes… all we have to do is choose Him. What about you… don’t you want to be free?
©2008 Debbie Robus
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July 1
Proverbs 12:24
The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
(Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson.Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.)
You may be asking… “C’mon now… who really finds freedom in their work? Lazing around is true freedom.” But is it? Think of what you accomplish with your work… income, a sense of satisfaction, perhaps you are working toward a goal in your studies – or your occupation allows you to help people on a daily basis. Maybe your work provides you with instant visual results that are gratifying – mowing lawns, painting houses, creating ads or web design.
On the other hand, what does laziness produce? Lazy people find work unsatisfying and unproductive because they do not enjoy the God-given ability to get things done. Even the possibility of helping someone else does not motivate a lazy person. And honestly, lazy people usually don’t seem to be very happy with their lives. They certainly don’t appear to be “going places,” do they?
God has given us each skills and abilities, and it is up to us to find ways to utilize them. God does not desire that we be lazy and waste our gifts. Many people around the world would give their right arm to have the freedom to work as we do… to go about our day and do what we do. Let’s not squander it. Let’s find things to do that give us purpose and celebrate our God-given freedom. A day or two of laziness may rejuvenate us, but don’t become known for being lazy. Stay diligent…enjoy the freedom of doing what you love and seeing the fruits of your labors.
©2008 Debbie Robus
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