Freedom

Other than the Bible, the book that has had the most impact on my walk with Christ is The Bondage Breaker by Dr. Neil T. Anderson. He founded Freedom in Christ Ministries. As I read and study the book again with a friend, I hope she finds it as liberating for her as it was for me.

John 8:32 says, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Jesus wants us to walk in His truth, the truth of His Word. God’s Word brings us freedom, not bondage.

What are you struggling with today? Guilt, depression, insecurity, bitterness? To be free and become a fruitful Christian, you need to know who you are in Christ and win the spiritual battle for your mind.

Many years ago, thoughts from the deceiver bombarded my mind. They were thoughts of condemnation (I’ll never be good enough), hopelessness (I can’t live up to the expectations of others), and rejection (will the Lord give up on me too?).  

Satan loves for us to believe his disgusting lies so we will walk in defeat. We cannot walk in freedom if we continue to believe his deception.

But we can walk in truth! When I believed the truth that I am accepted, secure, and significant in Christ, I received freedom.

Below are truths that taught me who I am in Christ. If you have accepted Jesus into your life, these truths are yours too.

I am a child of God and I belong to Him (John 1:12).

I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).

I do not have a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

There is a battle for our minds. If the devil can make us ineffective, he has us where he wants us. How do we overcome this?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

What should we focus our minds on instead?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

When I recognize my thoughts as those not from the Lord, I take them captive and remember to focus upon whatever is pure, right, and true. I am not condemned, hopeless, or rejected. I am God’s chosen, and I am to live as a believer who is free. Because I AM free!

For more information please visit Freedom in Christ Ministries at www.ficm.org.

Adapted from my blog post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.

Hurrah or Boo?

Hurrah for retirement. Or should I say boo? Will the pros outweigh the cons?

I’ll have more time to write my blogs, articles, and finish a sequel to my novel. Three other storylines are floating inside my head and heart. I’ll enjoy seeing them on paper.

Bible studies grace my bookshelves. Is there a better way to spend my time than focusing on God’s Word and growing closer to Him?

Travel with my husband will be fun. We have several trips planned. California, South Dakota, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee. Always, Tennessee. That’s where our grandchildren live.

To sleep in sounds splendid. Not sure how long it will take my body to sleep past 5:30 a.m., but I’ll try.

A cleaner house and better meals? Doubt that. With my nose in a book or fingers on the keyboard, I’ll be too busy for those mundane tasks.

I’ll miss the people where I work. Nine years we’ve been together. My youngest daughter met several of my coworkers and spent time with them. She said, “Mom. You work with the nicest people.” They are a good group.

Losing income may hurt my ego. In the short term, I might think I’m not contributing enough—not adding value to the household. I guess there are always those dull chores. Yikes!

Ways I plan to tackle changes in my new way of life include preparing a schedule and keeping a to-do list. Yes, I’ll add the dreaded housecleaning and throw in exercise. I must discipline myself to stay active.

I hope to continue my Bible study at work, mentor a young woman, attend Toastmasters, and meet friends for lunch as part of my routine. If I need more, pottery or photography classes and volunteer work are options.  

After thirty-eight years of employment, retirement may either excite or distress me. If emotions, doubt, or uneasiness try to get the best of me, I will focus on what the verse below says.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

If you’re retired, what has been your experience?

No Problem

Last week my travels took me to Cleveland, Tennessee. Our family lived there thirty years ago. My husband, Kenn, and I ate at our favorite pizza place—Gondolier’s. The owner responded to our arrival with joy. We’ve stopped there a few times to eat over the years, but I’m always amazed he remembers us.

One visit to this restaurant will always stick with me. Our family of four lined up behind a few others and waited for a table.

The owner asked the first family (in his strong Greek accent), “How many?”

“Four.”

“No problem,” he said.

To the next couple in line he asked, “How many?”

“Two.”

“No problem.”

To my husband he said, “How many?”

Kenn replied, “Four.”

“No problem.”

He seated us and looked to the door toward the next group. “How many?”

“Three.”

He sighed. “Now we gotta problem.”

I’m so thankful God doesn’t say this to us. Instead, He responds with His love and grace. He goes to work on our behalf.

God, I need help with my finances. No problem.

Lord, I need a job. No problem.

Jesus, we need a church where we can grow and serve. No problem.

Father, we need our marriage healed. Does He reply, now we got a problem?

Ephesians 3:20 is one of my favorite verses. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

God can do more than what we ask of Him. He has the power and resources. With His power at work in us (the Holy Spirit) we receive strength, guidance, and determination to work through our problems. With God for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

But what are we required to do? We pray, ask, and trust God will move in our circumstances and do what only He can do. We must put action to our prayers and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our steps. This may mean we need to prepare a budget if our finances are out of whack. Brush up on our skills to find a better job. Visit a few churches and listen to God with our spiritual hearts to know where He wants us to serve. We may need to seek the help of a Christian counselor before we find healing in our relationships.

Are our difficulties problems in the Lord’s eyes?

To us He answers, No problem.

Beauty in Brokenness

“God takes . . . the broken or blemished and restores them to new life and beauty.”

This line is spoken by my main character, Keedryn Reynolds, in my novel, Let Him Go. She asks Blake Conner, her cranky boss, “Have you heard about the Japanese art using gold to repair broken pottery? They restore the broken pieces to an even more beautiful vessel than the original and bring it new life. God does that for us too.”

Keedryn described the Japanese art of Kintsugi which takes broken pieces of pottery and restores them with gold.

God, too, finds beauty in the broken. He turns our flaws and imperfections into a work of art. Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Evidence of His love overflows as we go from brokenness to restoration. We can then pour into the lives of other broken people and comfort them. It’s not about us—it’s about Jesus and serving others. Doing the good things God planned for us long ago.

Near the end of my novel, Blake gives Keedryn a gift. A Kintsugi bowl. He holds it in his hands and says, “After all the pain and heartache, you’re more beautiful to me than before. Your Christ-like love, which I don’t deserve, makes you more valuable and precious than I ever imagined.”

That’s my desire. To become more valuable for God’s work through sharing Christ-like love. To show grace and mercy and to encourage hope.

We grow in faith and learn to trust God more through our brokenness as He heals, restores, and refines us. But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold (Job 23:10).

I am becoming gold. Pure gold. I believe that He who began a good work within me will continue His work until it is finally finished (Philippians 1:6).