Real Freedom

Today we talk about freedom. We use that freedom to relax, to hang out with friends and family, to eat too much (for some to drink too much), and to generally just have a good time.

 

There’s isn’t anything necessary wrong with having a good time (the drinking too much part would raise some major concern from me, but otherwise). 

 

Our country as we know it began with men and women who came here so that they could worship God the way that they thought He wanted, rather than worrying about making a king happy by worshipping the way that was dictated to them. Every new group that came was seeking religious freedom. Look it up! It’s true. There were Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Quakers … they were all striving to serve God over and above serving an earthly king. They had been persecuted in their home countries, so they came out here.

 

Our country has changed a lot since then. In both good ways and bad. But today, I want to remind you of Paul’s words in his letter to the Romans.

 

When we (or anyone) are living without God, without knowing His Son, without having His Spirit inside of us. Then we’re dead. We may not know it. Others may not recognize it. We’re zombies; animated flesh without a beating heart or a living soul.

 

When we accept Jesus and we’re baptized, Paul says:

“ … don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-5)

 

We gain life through His death:

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (v.6-7)

 

Without Jesus’ saving blood, we are slaves to sin. There’s no question about this. It’s a fact. The only master we serve when we’re separated from God is sin. And the world is a slave right along with us. A slave has no power to free another slave. Only one who is free has such power (Harriet Tubman had to gain her own freedom before she had any power to help free other slaves).

 

Jesus, being fully God, had the power because—even though He was also fully human—He was never a slave to sin (Hebrews 4:15). He died so that we could live. He died to free us from bondage to sin. And that’s a greater freedom than anything that the world can offer us.

 

Paul says:

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v.22-23)

 

The world tries to tempt us with what we can have right now. Immediate satisfaction. Immediate gratification. Immediate maybe, but very, very temporary. And definitely limiting. Because if we choose the world and what it has to offer us right now, then we give up what Christ has offered us for eternity.

 

Today, celebrate the freedom that you have living in America. Celebrate that we have freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, and many, many other freedoms. Celebrate that you can freely gather with those you love without suspicion. Celebrate that you have (or will have when you’re old enough) a right to vote for your leaders, and that your vote matters. Celebrate all those things that make America great.

 

But don’t forget Who it is that really made America great. Who it is that inspired our founders, emboldened them, guided them, and protected them. And remember where your allegiance ultimately lies as you remember who it is that offers you paradise for eternity, instead of just “paradise” for right now.

 

 

 

 

Dear God, what's your plan for my life?

<--- that's how I (Sherann) look when I wonder about His will :) jk.





The story behind this post

After I get off work, I make it a point to go for a run.  I usually run about a mile and as I run, I pray.  Pray for people God has put on my heart or for the homes I pass by.  Anyway, as I was running yesterday I started to think about God's will (perhaps it's because I've been listening to a sermon series on this) and words just flooded my mind. When I got home, I got out my phone and started to type away.  So here's what I scribbled.

Dear God, what is Your plan for my life?

I don't know about you, but  I've asked this question ALL the time! I asked my spiritual leaders, professors, and pastors to help me discern God's path for my life. And as I look back, I noticed that this question would pop up when I'm at a crossroads or when I'm not enjoying my current job or field of study. In other words, when I'M NOT satisfied this must not be "God's will" or "He must be closing the doors." Do you know what I'm talking about? If you do, this is what I concluded... 
When did "feelings" ever dictate Gods will? Here's the truth... feelings come and go. It does not sustain.  Or perhaps you're in a season where you're wondering what to do after graduation or should I take this position? so you ask... 

"hey God! What's your plan for my life?!"

After so many years of asking and seeking, let me save you the trouble and answer this question for you. 

Ready?

Know Him.

Before you close your browser or stop reading this, just bare with me for a second.

We (unfortunately) focus so much on expecting God to reveal His plans with arrows or signs that point to "work here" or "go to this school" that we disregard who we are asking this question of. What if... 

God told you to go to India and spend the rest of your life there? Go to a junior college first and then transfer? Or take a position that offers less than your previous employer? And what if... you, my friend, didn't agree with what God revealed to you (after all you asked, right?)  You would start rationalizing this and say, "God would never send me there or to work for this company." Why? You asked and God told you where you need to go. Why would there be a sudden hesitation? My guess... because you never stopped to seek Him and know Him and His heart for you. How can you expect God to lead you when you don't even know His character? It's all too easy for us to sit back and wait for God to just hand over His plan without us having to do anything.  Meaning... you never bothered to pick up His Word or get on your knees in prayer.  

And what if... you and I started to know Him, to love Him and His Word?
 

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."- Jeremiah 29.13
 

Going back to my previous scenario... if God called you to India or to a junior college... Your attitude and your response would be different BECAUSE you believe in faith that no matter where God puts you, He will use you to make much of Him. As faithful followers of Christ, our goal is to point others towards Christ.  It's never about us.  It's all about Him.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3.30

  So what does it matter if you work at a fast food restaurant or sit in a cubicle? The question we should be asking is am I making much of Christ in my school? work? when I'm with my co-workers?

You know, if God always revealed His plan every time we asked... the scary part is that we wouldn't need a Savior.

So let me end with this. If you are asking this question today, get to know Him. And as you do, you will find that it's not the location or job that should take precedent, but your character that bleeds Jesus.

 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3.17)

soli deo gloria

Make a Difference

So, this isn't the way it's supposed to be. Life here is not ideal. We have to be open to change. Change isn't always bad.

 

So, I ask you, what changes are you making? What difference are you making in your little bit of the world? Because believe it or not, you never know what a big difference a small difference can make, unless you make it.

 

Many people have died and been injured from different events this week just here in the U.S., let alone what happens around the world on a daily basis. Are you praying? Are you donating time or money to organizations that can help those in need? Have you made an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross? Or organized a donation with your church?

 

In the wake of such blatant disregard for the preciousness of life, have you resolved to be kinder to those around you? Are you taking every opportunity to be loving? Are you working to remind those that feel like they have no hope that our hope is not in this world? Are you being comforting? Are you being Jesus for those who need Him most?

 

Want to think smaller but still important? Ok. It's about to be Earth Day. Are you caring for the earth as good stewards of God's property? Are you recycling everything you can? Are you reminding others to recycle? Are you planning to go out a support an earth friendly cause this weekend? Or to educate yourself some more on how to be earth friendly? God cares about the earth. Do you?

 

Start with prayer. It's a great place to start because it's powerful, it's free, and you can do it anywhere.

 

Remember:

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:16b-18)

And if you want to make a difference, but you don't know how, then you now know what to pray for!

 

What difference are you making?

Share it with all of us here?

 

What's your story?

 

 

 

change

I (Sherann) hear it quite often.  Change.  It's one of those words that can either bring you hope or shivers down your spine.  I hear people say they don't like change, but they know it's inevitable.  Change will come.  Sometimes you are ready for it and often times it comes when you least expect it.  And whether you want change or not, let me just break the ice before you read on.  Change will come.
But think back for a moment and look at all the changes that took place in your life.  And because of change you are where you are today.  Personally, who knew that a bay area girl would move to the valley. (seriously, right?)  I prepared for that and as I look back, i'm grateful for that change.
But on the other hand, I wasn't prepared for my mom to unexpectedly pass away.  It will be four months and I still haven't fully grasped this whole grieving process.  People have been telling me that I will need to adjust to the "new" normal.  In other words, change is on the horizon and I need to adjust my life towards this "new" direction... a direction without my mom.  I get that.  I understand that.  I'm working to get there.
PERHAPS, even at this very moment YOU, my friend are going through changes or change is on the horizon.  Whether you are graduating from high school/college, career choices, moving to another state, etc... I would like to share with you one truth that has kept me going.

Ready?

Whatever "change" you may be facing, you and I can hold onto this truth:

My God.. YOUR God... does NOT change.  Can you just let that wash over you right now?  Our God does not change in the midst of what you are going through.

Hebrews 6:17-18 (The Message):
 "When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)
"If we are faithless, he remains faithful."

I am grateful that God is an unchanging God and I can trust His promises to be true.
Today, I hope that you are reminded of His unfailing love and faithfulness.   Face your change with God before and behind you.

Because He lives... I can face tomorrow
Because He lives... all fear is gone
Because I KNOW... He holds the future
and life is worth the living just because HE LIVES!

 soli deo gloria

Not the Way it's Supposed to Be

Today's tragedy in Boston is just another reminder that this world is not the way that it's supposed to be.

Sin has a strong hold on humanity. The enemy holds no regard for human life. And his power over many is very strong.

In this time of despair and sadness, as individuals and families are suffering, we need to pray for those who are suffering, and we need to remember the love of God and the hope that we have in His Son, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to turn this tragedy, this weapon of the enemy, into an opportunity to share God's love and hope. To shine His light into the darkness. To remind those who are confused, that while God allows evil to exist, it is only for a time, and it is only because we (humans) chose it over good at times. This is not the way it's supposed to be. And it's not the way that it will always be. Praise God! This is not the way that it will always be!

Acts like this are just proof that we need a savior. Which means that it is the perfect opportunity for you to share Jesus with others. This hurting broken world needs Jesus now just as much as it ever did.

Be His light in the darkness of this world. Be His hands and feet to those who are suffering. Remind them that they are not alone and that there is hope.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)

The tomb is empty! And it isn't empty so that we can sit in it and marvel at the fact that it's empty. It's empty so we can go out and share the news with those who are suffering that death has been defeated and that our God has done, is doing, and will do great things!

Go out and tell them!

 

 

 

Wounds

My (Aimee’s) God-daughter got a splinter in one of her toes.

 

And she didn’t tell anyone.

 

She’s almost 4.

 

We’re not sure how much time had passed before her mom noticed it. But at that point, the wound was black, and the skin around it was inflamed—red and a little puffy. And definitely tender.

 

We explained to her that we needed to get the splinter out. We also told her that it would probably hurt while trying to get it out, but that if we left it alone it was going to get worse and start to hurt more and more. She wasn’t happy to hear any of that, of course, but she nodded and let us get to work.

 

She sat on my lap while her mom and my mom worked on her toe. She was very brave. Although it hurt and she cried some, she didn’t kick or fight, she never asked them to stop, she let them do what they needed to do. Then my mom put some antibiotic and a band-aid on and we told her that next time she gets a splinter she needs to say something right away so that we can deal with it immediately, because then it wouldn’t have hurt so much. Within a minute or two after that, her tears were completely forgotten and she was laughing at something on the television.

 

Why am I sharing this story?

 

A couple of days later I was listening as a friend unburdened some stressful/painful memories. She explained that she has only recently come to understand that she needs to really deal with certain things from her past so that she can heal instead of allowing those wounds to continue to get worse. Then, I shared with her the story about my little one’s splinter.

 

See, emotional wounds are like physical wounds. If you ignore them—trying to pretend they aren’t there or hoping that they’ll heal on their own—they fester (which means “to rot”). If you fiddle with the wound to attend to it, it will probably hurt. It might even hurt a lot. But it allows the healing to begin. The longer that it’s left alone to fester, the more painful it will be when you finally deal with it. Or, if left completely unattended, it will continue to fester and begin to spread.

 

Do you see it now?

 

God has no desire for you to be one of the walking-wounded. He can help, if you let Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

When we turn to Him we can find the healing that we need. No matter your burden, He can take it away. He created the universe, He created you, He can handle anything you want to throw at Him. Turn to Him and give your burdens to Him and learn how to walk with Him. When we walk in His will, we find that the “burdens” He places on us aren’t even burdens at all. He makes our lives easier by giving us the right perspective (I’ll give you a hint: it’s all about Him).

 

Go talk to your Christian friends, elder members of your church, your pastor … there are, no doubt, many people in your life who can help you deal with your wounds so that you can begin healing. They’ll point you to God’s truth, and your life will never be the same again!

 

Go ahead, try it out and see.

 

 

 

carry me

A lot has been going on in my (sherann) life.  To be honest, I'm going through a rough season.   I won’t go into details, but I’ve shared one of my personal thorns.  My OCD has been a constant battle.  Yesterday, for example, was an all time low and I even came to a point of saying… “why! Why me?! Why can’t I go back to being normal?! God, please take this away!”  Thankfully, I have friends and my brother who graciously listen to me while I have my episodes. (I’m sure they think I’m nuts, but still love me anyway) 

Anyway, I called Aimee and just basically said… “Why doesn’t God just take this away from me?” Conclusion? Don’t know.  To be honest, I don’t know when or even if He will take this from me.  At the same time, I HAVE to TRUST that God has this issue in the palm of His hands.  I’m constantly battling this and I’m not going to lie… it’s hard.  Along with everything else going on in my personal life, I feel absolutely overwhelmed.  And maybe you feel overwhelmed as well.  Life seems so hard and difficult.  I know… I’m in the same boat as you.

BUT. (yes, here comes the “but”…)

I know… no, as a matter of fact I BELIEVE that even though our circumstances may change, we have a heavenly Father who does not change.  When I read the scriptures, I am reminded of who He is and for that reason I can trust Him.  I can trust that He is out for my good. 

Why?

Because He loves me.  He loves you. 

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4.10 (ESV)

I know He loves me.  And no matter where I am or where you may be in this season, I hope you will join me in receiving the Father’s love.  And truth be told... it doesn't matter if you are a baby believer or a faithful follower for 50 years.  Point is this... the cross is our continual defense and a reminder that even through life's deepest valleys, the Father never recants His love for you or for me.  And that's why we can call Him faithful.