Free From What, and To Do What?

"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." Galatians 5:1

This verse brought immediately to mind the question that is the title of today's devotional.
What are we free from? We are free from The Law. Not the law of the land, or traffic laws, or civil law. None of us have actually ever been under The Law as it is spelled out in the Old Testament. The early church knew The Law and greatly struggled with their new found freedoms in Christ. Some of the Jews who followed Jesus were hanging on to parts of The Law and were trying to get the early church in Corinth to adopt those old practices, and rules into the new faith. Nothing ruins fresh faith faster than legalism. The old Law was constraining, and impossible, and full of undoable expectations. But Christ came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it.
In the verse it says to stand firm, to make sure you protect your freedom. Interesting that it doesn't say to go crazy to protect your freedom. Even in the church today, we struggle with legalism. People tend to invent The Law so we don't have to work out and exercise our freedom.

What I’ve Been Hearing

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard, that You, O God, are strong, and that you O Lord are loving." Psalm 62:11-12a

I am taking a day off today. So, you may say to yourself, why are you writing devotionals? Well, I, like you, sometimes just enjoy reading The Word when I have some time free. I am relaxing close to the ocean and was reading Psalms, when a word jumped out of The Word as I got to the 62nd Psalm. In verse 11, 'the one thing God has spoken' is a reference to the giving of the Law (The Ten Commandments), and the two things heard are a summation of what the fulfillment of the Law means, or what the essence of the Law boils down to.

How We Think

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." Psalm 111:10

A number of scriptures reiterate these principles, some almost verbatim, others in principle. Beneath the initial “good understanding” we can derive from this verse, lies even deeper meaning that must be considered. I recently read a great devotion by Os Hillman, and I would love to expand on what his thoughts inspired me to consider.

What Not to Do in Times of Trouble

"In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to God." 2 Chronicles 28:22

If you occasionally enjoy a good lesson-teaching story with more than one tragic twist that is not short on graphic details, give this chapter of Scripture a whirl. Wow, what a shocking example of a life gone completely awry, with a totally wanton disregard for God.

What I Want Him to Give You

May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." Psalm 20:4

As I am being a bit reflective today, after doing a lot of studying and writing, my heart seems to keep getting fuller and fuller of a need to express my true love for God's people, especially, those who come to Grace Harbor Church.

Corruption!

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33

The depth of this truth may be almost unfathomable in one devotional commentary. As it is with all Scripture, each time we read it, and study it the Holy Spirit can reveal fresh truth, insight, and meaning. Paul is very point-blank, especially with the Corinthians, probably because they sorely needed it. The verses preceding this gem are a reason for speaking proverb-like wisdom in verse 33. In verse 32, Paul says in response to any questioning or doubting the Resurrection of Christ. (Parentheses are my thoughts) "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus (referring to savagely crazy opposition) for merely human reasons (but no, there is a purpose you see) what have I gained? ('Nothing' if you enjoy answering rhetorical questions like me) If the dead are not raised, (just like Jesus, we will be you know) "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die" (obviously being facetious).

Contend, O Lord

"Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me." Psalm 35:1

I wholeheartedly know myself to be way more of a peacemaker, and nearly not at all a troublemaker. Though I may speak somewhat awkwardly at times and get sideways with people, I do not do so maliciously. I do get frustrated with the troublemakers in the Body of Christ, but, I am not known to be a contentious person. I take and absorb a lot of general and targeted grief and guff and have weathered many attacks against me, my family, Grace Harbor Church and its members and leaders...., without a word.

Consider It All Joy

Consider It All Joy by Pam Kaufman is the twelfth in a series of devotionals by the 2012 Grace Harbor Colombia Mission Team. Pam shares her heart about the Lord leading her daily walk with Him.

"Consider it all joy... when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

Dearest Brothers & Sisters in Christ; my Grace Harbor Church Family:
One of the most difficult, faith-stretching events thus far in my fifty plus years (notice I was careful not to mention plus what?) has been my move to Nashville on April 5, 2010. To pack up your belongings, office, home.., your very life and move it across the country leaving behind everything that is known and familiar, dear and precious is no simple task. To say goodbye to two children and two grandchildren, to family and friends who have shared life with me for many years, some of which all my years... not easy. To know that April 4, 2010 would be my last time ever to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with you all, and sing songs of praise with my dear sisters Dawn, Linda, Lahoma, and the rest of the Worship Team., beyond hard. And, yet, the Lord called me to undertake this seemingly impossible task, and He promised to see me through. He said, "With you Pam, this is impossible, but with Me all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. He promised to be my strength, sufficiency, sustenance, strong tower. And, He has been all those things... and more.

He Will Remain Faithful

"He Will Remain Faithful" by Elisa Miller is the eleventh in a series of devotionals by the 2012 Grace Harbor Colombia Mission Team. Elisa blesses us with wise words about our always faithful Father.

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for he cannot disown Himself." 2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NIV)

I came across this bible verse in my daily desk calender that was given to me as a gift over a year ago. This year is the second time I am flipping through it and some days the verses stick out & speak to me more that specific day, especially in regards to things I am going through, things that I couldn't recall from the previous year.

Mere Appearances

"Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement." John 7:24

Jesus is speaking here. He has just dealt with the issue of Sabbath Laws again because He is accused of healing on the Sabbath. He points out that they circumcise a child on the Sabbath so why can't He heal the whole man? Good point, huh? Often in our legalism our rules and laws are uneven. We tend to interpret the rules, customs and laws to suit the situation. We often have ulterior motives and very strong preferences that skew our application of principles. So, Jesus gives us a clue as to why we do this. We do it because we base our judgements on mere appearances. Without the whole picture or limited information we jump (uhh... Leap to conclusions about anyone or anything to suit our purposes or to validate our preconceived notions). No wonder there is so much drama, and so many misunderstandings, and issues between us.

The Art of Being

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Charlotte:

What I am about to share with you today, I have had in my desk drawer at work for quite some time, probably ten years or more. When I used to prepare our Church newsletter, I would simply clip out and save little Christian pieces that I found interesting, from various sources, hoping I might share them at "just the right time". The one that follows, "The Art of Being" was from a Christian publication whose unnamed author had submitted it from Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, Saratoga, California. I had always liked this, which I why I stored it away but, I thought it needed just a little something to add that "special touch" that can only come from God's Word. So, I've added a Scripture reference ,in parenthesis, just to BE sure that the "real authority" for these thoughts will BE the "real author" and finisher of all things. Hope you will BE empowered by these little reminders as you go about your days.

Psalms of Asaph

"And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them" Psalm 78:72

Psalms 73-89 are not written by David. These groups of Psalms is referred to as Book III of The Psalms and celebrate the sovereignty of God, God's hand in history, God's faithfulness, and God's covenant with David. For your information, about half the Psalms are for sure written by David, maybe a few of the anonymous ones too, and many are written by music and worship leaders from the temple. Asaph was a leader of one of the temple choirs. Psalm 78 chronicles the history of God's people and shares lessons from the ups and downs from slavery in Egypt, to David's reign. This story was told over and over to each generation.

Before the World Began

"And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" John 17:5

The more I study the Bible, the more convinced I am that not only is God real and the Bible true, but everything is just as it is written. Jesus utters these words before He prays for His disciples and future believers. First, He prays for Himself. At the close of His prayer, He makes this request to be glorified in His Father's presence the same way He was glorified before the world began. Another testament to the truth of His pre-existence in pre-time. He desires to go to the Father but is committed to completing the work of the cross before He does.

Out of the Wreck I Rise

Dawn Snider presents "Out of the Wreck I Rise" the tenth in a series of devotionals by the 2012 Grace Harbor Colombia Mission Team.

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans..." Romans 8:37-39

Renew Your Mind

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Dolly:

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Col. 3:1-2

I recently listened to some secular music, and got the tune and lyrics stuck in my mind for days afterward. The chorus kept playing over and over, and I found myself singing the words in the shower. The words in themselves were not bad words, they didn’t portray a horrible scenario, but neither were they spiritually uplifting or encouraging.