Tag Archives: freedom

01.19.13
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Devo: Sexual Freedom #DivineIntimacy #Marriage

Sexual freedom is an obsession for many. But God, the Inventor of sex, tells us the best kind of sexual freedom is found in marriage. Listen to His Word: “The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body.” These words were radical for the first century and they’re still radical today.

This concept of mutual submission leads to tremendous sexual freedom between a husband and wife. It also teaches us that husbands and wives should take care of their bodies–not just for the Lord and not just for their health–but also for the enjoyment of their spouse.

Note that the key words are between a husband and wife. All other sexual intimacy is out of bounds. Sex outside of marriage is simply not what the Inventor of sex had in mind. So remember, God’s way is the best way to true sexual freedom.

Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5 ESV)

09.22.12
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Devo: Guilt Gone

Author June Callwood insists that happiness depends on a person being at peace with himself. She says people may describe themselves as happy, but many are grieving over their mistakes and wrong choices. “They don paper hats for laughs, give anxious parties, drink too much, talk too much, and say too little. They see old age as a catastrophe,” she says, “a final bad joke on the false dream of being happy.”

David had gone through the pretensions of happiness. He had the palace parties, the social chatter, the endless diversions. Yet, he was ever haunted by his own sinfulness. My sin is always before me, he said. Only when he bowed in a desperate plea for God’s forgiveness was his joy restored (Psalm 51). Only then was he once more in fellowship with God. David suffered for his sin, but the moment he prayed, healing began in his heart.

When we disappoint ourselves, our families, and our God, may we be wise enough to go immediately to God in prayer asking for His forgiveness. Guilt is too heavy a load for us to carry–even for a single day. In fact, it is an unnecessary load. When we come to Christ, we find Him more than willing to forgive and restore. We need not hide from God as Adam did. Instead, we must learn from David. If we go to Him we will find forgiveness, as He promised.

05.15.11
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Brantley Gilbert – A Modern Day Prodigal Son

http://assets.tumblr.com/swf/audio_player.swf?audio_file=http://www.tumblr.com/audio_file/5523403451/tumblr_ll9axoZiLV1qzy854&color=FFFFFF

WHO GOT THE KEYS TO THE JEEP?

There was a lawyer who had two sons. One was 16 and the other was 17.

They had it made! Every weekend they got new Nikes, new Under Armor, brand new NorthFace jackets, and all the freshest outerwear any northwest kid could want. And everyday they had a breakfast of champions, $10 for their lunch, and a dinner that would put Olive Garden out of business. I mean; all you can eat soup, salad, and bread sticks, and beyond.

Neither son had a job, but their father made enough money to support AND spoil them both equally. In the garage were two of the sickest cars – like; (fill in the blank). You get the picture, right? But… they wouldn’t get to drive those cars until they were 18 years old.

One day, the 16 year old told his dad he wanted to drive his car; take it for a spin, and cruise the streets. The father explained on several occasions that the kids get their vehicles, but not until their 18th birthday. The 17 year old had less than a year to wait, so he knew he could be patient enough to wait another year. The 16 year old? Yeah, not so much.

Beep. Beep. Who Got The Keys To The Jeep? Vrooooom!

Now, the father – being understanding and such a loving father, he decided to give both his sons the keys to their dream rides. Imagine that feeling they received being handed the keys. They were receiving FREEDOM, early! Their dad had set the rules, and they knew his standards, they understood his gifts, and they had everything they needed.

But there was something more the younger son wanted. He now had the freedom of choice. He could stay, and wait, and obey his father, and so on. Or he can explore the world, be a free man, get to taste life for himself, and enjoy all the pleasures of the earth. Of course having that choice, wouldn’t you choose to be free?

So the younger son set off to California and drove his car to the extreme. He hit up all the places he had never been and made it to Reno. There he gambled away. He then traveled down to LA, where he partied like a rock star. Then he drove to Las Vegas where he gambled all his allowance and savings away. He was enjoying life to the fullest.

But he became broke. He lost of his money. He ended up losing the pink slip for his car because he was racing it for more money and more cars. He lost. He loss it all. He no longer had keys, but did he still have freedom? He still had the choice right?

It got to the point where he couldn’t get a job or buy food, so he would dive into the dumpsters behind casinos and search for any table scraps. In the darkest, loneliest place, he was reminded how much he had at his fathers. He remembered that even their landscaper was aloud in the house for lunch and could have anything in the fridge. Just think, even the workers at home had it better than he had it now. If only he could go back.

Of course he could go back. He had FREE WILL! He had freedom, he had a choice. We all have the freedom to choose. It doesn’t matter how far from home we’ve gone. We can always 180, turn back, and go home to our father.

The truth is that our loving father will embrace us and welcome us home. He’s waiting for us to choose his precious love and all his everlasting gifts. All we have to do is choose. We wouldn’t have freedom; if dad didn’t give us the choice to stay, leave, and come back. He loves us so much, we are given the freedom of choice. We are free to choose as we will. 

The fact of the matter is; if we didn’t have a choice, how would we know how great we have it. We have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

So when we ask God; “If you are such a loving God, why do allow us to sin? Why is there sin in the world, that poisons us each day?”, just know he loves us so much that he gives us FREE WILL!

John 6:37, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7