Saturday, July 4, 2009

Stepping Stones: Are You Really Free?

Transformational Tip
Even though I am an adult, I love fireworks and today, for the first time, I will be watching fireworks at our nation's capital. I always wanted to see them there, as it seems the most fitting place for fireworks and all they represent to me. Rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air, mystery, drama, wonder, and celebration. Just really cool. All over America today, festivities celebrate our countries birthday, and commemorating winning our freedom from England. Freedom is a wonderful feeling, state of mind, and privilege. The sobering reality is, we aren't really free. It's just a trick. We still have a master, someone whose orders, commands, wishes, desires, authority, agenda, policies, and rules we are subject to. God is the real ideal, loving King of the Kingdom we call universe. Satan and our flesh are the rebel party trying to overthrow the benevolent regime, vying for our loyalty by tricking us into believing their destructive ways and intentions are actually in our best interest.
We are free, free to choose which master we will follow and obey. With freedom comes responsibility. If you aren't actively choosing God, our natural inclination is to reject God, let our flesh rule, and vote Satan's policies to guide us.
Today, exercise your freedom to choose and choose wisely. Only one master really genuinely cares for you, is willing(He actually did) die for you, and wants to let you live in the royal palace forever!Bold
Enjoy your festivities and be safe!

Prayer
Dear King of Kings, Thanks for being a king who gave it all for the lowest serf, me, on Your kingdom. Help me choose You and be a faithful ambassador for You in this fallen world, so others would see You in me. Thanks for Your blessings I have and the freedom to worship you in the US. I pray your protection and comfort for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being harmed because of their commitment to You. Give me a humble spirit to yield to Your rule every minute, because You provide all I need way better than I can and do. In Jesus freeing name and sacrifice-AMEN!

The Truth
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Ephesians 6:9
And Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left;
1 Kings 22:19
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Revelation 12:9-10