The more I read the word of God, the more this message becomes clear. Father is saying, "I know who I created you to be and I love you! You can trust Me! I want to share my Life with you and bless you!"
Over the past few days and weeks, I've been having not what I would call "Aha!" moments, but more like "Duh!" moments. I had another one this morning. I've long been drawn to the verse found in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that ends in "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." I tested my 7-year old son, Jonathan, this morning, and asked him, "Jonathan, what does the word 'Lord' mean?" "Mastew," he said, still having a little trouble with his 'r's. "That's it, buddy!" I said.
So, before today, this phrase, "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom," has been a reminder that, since the Spirit lives in me, my reality is, I'm FREE from the law that says I must sin, whether I walk in that freedom or not. And, in our corporate worship times, I've prayed, "Lord, let us experience the presence of your Spirit, so that we can be free in our worship." But this morning, the big "Duh!" moment came when I realized that where the Spirit of the Lord- my Master, the one I either choose to follow and obey or choose to go my own way and disobey - wherever my Lord and Master is, wherever he is going, wherever he is inviting me to go....there is Freedom. So the Spirit has set me free to follow Him into more and more and more Freedom. Do I want more Freedom? Oh yes!
Freedom is to experience release from anything that constrains me from being the person God created me to be, and release to do that which God created me to do...for His glory. I'm realizing freedom and surrender to Christ's Lordship are always connected. My Lord Jesus can always be trusted to lead me by the Spirit into Freedom, Abundant Life, and Kingdom Fruit. And the good news is FREEDOM IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE! "Yes, Lord. You are good!"
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever -increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
1 comment:
Hey Tim,
I followed the link to your blog from your comment you left on Francis Chan's message from Catalyst... Isn't the internet a wonderful thing? Going from Dalton to Ellijay by way of Atlanta then southern Cali !!
Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you in your work. I enjoyed your comments and blogs, and pray your church continues in its journey towards what the early church looked like.
Blessings on your journey
Zane Nagel
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