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Apart from working on the Dutch translation of Respectfully Yours (about honoring our parents) and the release of the Italian version of Grace of Giving, I am preparing a series of teachings on the theme freedom.
Within two weeks we will leave for a trip to the Ukraine on behalf of our non profit Traveling Light. We have been invited to speak at the annual Teen Challenge conference in Kiev on the theme Freedom in Christ, based on Galatians 5:1. This past winter I posted the series maintaining our freedom on this blog. In preparation of this upcoming conference I had to look up certain scriptures and I became aware (again) how important this message is.
It is painful to see how many Christians do NOT live in freedom. Many are being tormented by addictions, fear, worries, pain, sin and shame. Did Jesus' mission fail? He came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). Wouldn't His heart bleed when He sees how we have become slaves of our television, gossip, pornography, self indulgence, medication, drugs and alcohol. We can and may live in freedom in the USA, and we don't do it... How can non believers or people from different faiths see that we have a different way of life?
When you have time this summer, please read the series maintaining our freedom once again (scroll down to the first post). Reach out for the freedom Christ has promised and keep it!
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
[Ephesians 4:17-21]
Dear Marja
ReplyDeleteOh, we are free indeed to live again in the Holy Spirit, feasting daily on the Tree of Life! We are not under any, any law, but under grace and love and as soon as we experience that, living the law of love becomes as natural as breathing!! "For if it is of law, it is no longer of grace. You have cut yourself off from Christ".
Praying for your trip!
Mia
As natural as breathing... that's the goal indeed :) Thanks Mia!
DeleteFree indeed! So excited for you. May you have a safe and very blessed trip. May the Lord be magnified!
ReplyDeleteAmen, thank you Lynn, we are looking forward to our trip
DeleteHi Marja, I think I will go look that series up. Sometimes I am the one who restricts my freedom I have in Christ. Great reminder
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
That's exactly what happens often... we let ourselves become enslaved again. Well, that's why I wrote this series and I am still learning :)
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