This is My Freedom Hymn
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| Flag Flying Feb. 23, 2018 at Our Residence |
That brisk day in February last year as I heard the American flag flapping in the wind, I looked up. I do that a lot. I noticed the clouds and the pretty blue sky, then for some reason I focused on the flag. We Americans pledge our allegiance to this flag and think we are free and we are a free country, but do we really have freedom? Are we indeed free?
Eight days ago we celebrated the day that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, our nation's birthday; the day the USA became a free and independent state from England. As the iconic American saying goes, "freedom isn't free." Lives are lost in order for others to claim these freedoms.
I'm grateful to have been born in the United States of America. I thank the Lord for the privilege and luxury of living here in this "land of the free and the home of the brave." I'm also grateful for our country's men and women in uniform who make sacrifices to preserve our Constitutional freedoms and those who have died in the fight.
But there is a freedom that is far greater than any physical or political freedom we're granted and it's offered to the world (John 3:16). It wasn't free either. In contrast to the many lives lost to pay for our freedoms, it only took One life to pay for the ransom of many. An ultimate sacrifice had to be paid by a sinless Man to make this freedom available...our spiritual freedom. This Man, Jesus Christ, willingly laid down His innocent life for the guilty and was crucified to pay a debt we couldn't pay. It's His blood that was shed that makes one truly free. He died for all mankind's sins so, in Him, we wouldn't have to be condemned and spend eternity in Hell (Romans 8:1). Salvation is free to us because of God's amazing grace, mercy, and love. But just like this Gift came at a great price and cost God the life of His Son, accepting it will cost you everything. It will all be worth it in the end, however it won't be easy. You will have to sacrifice a lot...your life (Romans 12:1). As I've heard International Mission Board president David Platt say, "Are you willing to give God a blank check with your life? Are you willing to give Him the check and let Him fill in the blanks?"
Webster's Dictionary defines freedom as "independence, political liberty, exemption from an obligation, a being able to act freely, a right, or privilege."
Eight days ago we celebrated the day that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, our nation's birthday; the day the USA became a free and independent state from England. As the iconic American saying goes, "freedom isn't free." Lives are lost in order for others to claim these freedoms.
I'm grateful to have been born in the United States of America. I thank the Lord for the privilege and luxury of living here in this "land of the free and the home of the brave." I'm also grateful for our country's men and women in uniform who make sacrifices to preserve our Constitutional freedoms and those who have died in the fight.
But there is a freedom that is far greater than any physical or political freedom we're granted and it's offered to the world (John 3:16). It wasn't free either. In contrast to the many lives lost to pay for our freedoms, it only took One life to pay for the ransom of many. An ultimate sacrifice had to be paid by a sinless Man to make this freedom available...our spiritual freedom. This Man, Jesus Christ, willingly laid down His innocent life for the guilty and was crucified to pay a debt we couldn't pay. It's His blood that was shed that makes one truly free. He died for all mankind's sins so, in Him, we wouldn't have to be condemned and spend eternity in Hell (Romans 8:1). Salvation is free to us because of God's amazing grace, mercy, and love. But just like this Gift came at a great price and cost God the life of His Son, accepting it will cost you everything. It will all be worth it in the end, however it won't be easy. You will have to sacrifice a lot...your life (Romans 12:1). As I've heard International Mission Board president David Platt say, "Are you willing to give God a blank check with your life? Are you willing to give Him the check and let Him fill in the blanks?"
Webster's Dictionary defines freedom as "independence, political liberty, exemption from an obligation, a being able to act freely, a right, or privilege."
In the "land of the free," we often confuse the true nature of freedom. For many of us, freedom has become synonymous with personal independence--the ability to make our own decisions and choose our own path in life, to do whatever we want, whenever we want. In other words, "outside freedom." But this is not the freedom that Jesus promised us. When Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah, He said that He had come to Earth to "proclaim freedom" (Luke 4:18). Jesus was not setting us free to do whatever we wanted; He was freeing us to do what we ought to do. He was liberating us to walk in relationship with God and to be the kind of people He created us to be. In other words, "inside freedom" --the ability to obey God and choose His will for our lives. And this is the freedom that sin had long denied us. Jesus shocked the Pharisees, the spiritual leaders of His day, when He stated, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin" (John 8:34 emphasis mine). Jesus was asserting that we are all under the power and control of a natural tendency to sin. Sin brings a penalty that, by ourselves, we cannot escape. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death (focusonthefamily.com -Freedom in Christ).Yes, we are a free country, but are we deceived in what true freedom is? Are we free from hate, anger, unforgiveness, arguing, complaining, divorce, sexual immorality, disease, gluttony, disunity, gossip, abortion, homosexuality, impatience, coveteousness, greed, envy, suing our brother, financial debt, lying, lust, materialism, accumulating, pleasure, stealing, pride, idolatry, fear, laziness, murder, suicide, self, death? And the list goes on. No, we are not free. We all are slaves to sin because we were each born with heart disease. Only if our soul is born-again (John 3:1-21) can we experience THE CURE our heart longs for. Are we "living the American dream" and thinking we are free? Are we trying to gain the whole world, but possibly "LOSE MY (OUR) SOUL?
No one is truly free until the truth is known. Freedom has to do with truth. But not just knowing about the truth, submitting to that truth. Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32 emphasis mine). It says in the Holy Bible, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). True freedom takes place in the heart. Our hearts need a transplant. When we accept this free gift of salvation through Jesus, God does open heart surgery. He removes our heart of stone and gives us a soft, pliable one."A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26 KJV). No longer are we spiritually dead and Satan's child, but we're made spiritually ALIVE in Jesus Christ...we have a new birthday. I love how The Living Bible says it, "For He has rescued us out of the darkness of gloom of Satan's kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins (Colossians 1:13-14).
This new heart and soul desires to love God. It sees Jesus Christ as beautiful and desires to love Him as the Savior and Lord of his life. By faith, we give our life to Jesus and receive forgiveness and freedom from sin. Not only this, but we are now free to do the very thing we were created to do --to honor and enjoy God forever. And this joy in God is from our heart --our new heart given to us by God. This is true freedom. This is grace (www.thelife.com what is true freedom).
This new heart and soul desires to love God. It sees Jesus Christ as beautiful and desires to love Him as the Savior and Lord of his life. By faith, we give our life to Jesus and receive forgiveness and freedom from sin. Not only this, but we are now free to do the very thing we were created to do --to honor and enjoy God forever. And this joy in God is from our heart --our new heart given to us by God. This is true freedom. This is grace (www.thelife.com what is true freedom).
Three years ago Chad (my husband) was handed an old church bulletin from our pastor at the time. Steve was cleaning out his office files and came across his notes from the message he delivered on Sunday, July 1, 2001 and he remembered us. Steve figured we would want the bulletin because just two years prior, our son had breathed his last.This message. Little did I nor Steve know when it got in my hands how meaningful it would be. I couldn't wait to get back home to read it. As I sat there reading alone, I was amazed to see Steve's message was titled "Real Freedom" on the day our eldest son was baptized. God had spoken to my heart many times about freedom after Clark David's earthly death. That's where one of the words in the title of my blog address originated, "Forgiven. Flawless. Free." As I read and pondered it all, God spoke to my heart and gave more affirmation and peace to me. When my pain was still so raw, God comforted me once again that Clark David was so free! I felt this might be a future post.
I doubted my son's salvation momentarily after his death. God knew this of course, and spoke to me through two friends, one whom I wrote about in 2017 (see November post). God settled those thoughts within hours after his passing through them both. To me, it's been so amazing to look back in the rear view mirror to see God's hand in every single detail of my life. He keeps me amazed how He intricately weaves everything together and how He uses people to do His work and help bring comfort. The bulletin was kept and hand-delivered to us by God through Steve to touch me years later. Also a sweet friend, Vickie Parker and I were talking on the phone just two days before the 4th about the sovereignty of God and she later texted me, "Isn't it amazing how He sends just what we need right when we need it? Maybe it's to remind us He's paying attention! Because sometimes I think, 'Lord, are You LOOKING? I'm in a mess down here!"
I doubted my son's salvation momentarily after his death. God knew this of course, and spoke to me through two friends, one whom I wrote about in 2017 (see November post). God settled those thoughts within hours after his passing through them both. To me, it's been so amazing to look back in the rear view mirror to see God's hand in every single detail of my life. He keeps me amazed how He intricately weaves everything together and how He uses people to do His work and help bring comfort. The bulletin was kept and hand-delivered to us by God through Steve to touch me years later. Also a sweet friend, Vickie Parker and I were talking on the phone just two days before the 4th about the sovereignty of God and she later texted me, "Isn't it amazing how He sends just what we need right when we need it? Maybe it's to remind us He's paying attention! Because sometimes I think, 'Lord, are You LOOKING? I'm in a mess down here!"
Last year, I finally started writing my thoughts down from that encounter with Steve. My intentions were to post on Independence day because of the correlating message about freedom, but when the 7th quickly came, I thought too much time had elapsed. I knew the time wasn't right, so I saved it. As I've mentioned before, I feel compelled to share what God puts on my heart for whatever reasons only He knows. It takes a lot of thought and prayer in listening to the Holy Spirit to know what and when to write. It's funny because I thought this post had taken precedence over my previous post, however it would be another year in the making. I'm glad I listened and waited; He has shown me much more in the process and the post would have been what I intended, not God. I also would've missed the important detail of the butterfly in the garage. God is teaching me a lot about waiting and how He works while I wait. I know God doesn't need my help to accomplish anything, but He does call His children to be obedient and follow His leading. I know my purpose is to "sprinkle seeds" and share what He's teaching me for the benefit of others and the growing of His Kingdom.
March 14, 2016 I posted about Clark David's salvation story. One year later, he was baptized. The Holy Spirit prompted him to ask questions and gave him the desire to be obedient in baptism. After discussion and understanding from a six year old perspective, Steve baptized him at Seventh Street Baptist Church. I don't know what Clark David remembered that day (I highly doubt he remembered the message.. I know I didn't), but I know he loved the Lord, was growing, had a heart to please Jesus Christ and had a heart for others to know Him too. Even though his light flickered out, I continue to be his torch bearer to share God's message of hope through his life. I'm grateful God left behind Steve's notes to pass on to me:
As Pastor Steve taught from God's Word that day, real freedom is all about truth:
1. Freedom has to do with truth.
a. Not just any truth, but the truth?
b. But what is the truth. The truth is based on more than what (no one comes to the Father, but through Me) but also who (I am). (John 14:6)
2. This truth cannot make you free unless:
a. It is believed (in mind, will, and action).
"...the Truth - shall - make you free."
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
b. It is accepted.
"...the truth shall - make- you free"
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; (Galatians 5:1a)
c. It is personal.
"...the truth shall - make - you free."
"...whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." (John 3:15)
d. But how can you know if you really know the truth?
"If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you shall know the truth (John 8:31b-32a).
3. This freedom is real freedom.
"...the truth shall make you - free."
a. Because without this truth you're already enslaved.
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin."
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| Pastor Steve Britts' Notes |
...for all have sinned (Romans 3:23)
(2) slaves to its penalty
For the wages of sin is death, (Romans 6:23)
b. And with this truth you're really free.
"If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)
c. But what is real freedom?
It's no longer being enslaved by sin and to sin but being set free to God's enslavement.
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life (Romans 6:22).
The freedom Jesus offers is a spiritual freedom from the chains of the bondage of sin - that is, a release from the lifestyle of habitual lawlessness. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). Knowing the truth will set one at liberty - free from sin, free from condemnation, and free from death (Romans 6:22; 8:1-2). Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Luke 4:18). "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants to God" (1 Peter 2:16, ESV)..
(www.gotquestions.org)
As our freedom to live in this land wasn't free, the same speaks true of our need for forgiveness.Thankfully, through Jesus Christ we can be set free. JESUS PAID IT ALL.
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13). His death (innocent blood) satisfied a holy God to pay for the world's sins. Those that are born-again are free, not free to do what they want, but to live in obedience to His desires for their lives. His way is perfect. We mess up so much. But when we royally blow it, depend on ourselves, and live selfishly, if we repent and return to Him, He will turn it all into good (Romans 8:28-29). He's a just, merciful Father who is full of lovingkindness. However, we're not free from the consequences of our sin choices, but praise the Lord, God is a God of redemption and restoration. Jesus' great sacrifice and love paid for all sins, past, present, and future. Once and done! If you sin today (you probably will) and die before you have time to confess your sins, you still will be escorted by angels into His presence, if you have been BORN AGAIN. True freedom is who makes one free...Jesus! Jesus is the truth and through Him there is eternal life with Him in Heaven, not eternal damnation.
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends (John 15:13). His death (innocent blood) satisfied a holy God to pay for the world's sins. Those that are born-again are free, not free to do what they want, but to live in obedience to His desires for their lives. His way is perfect. We mess up so much. But when we royally blow it, depend on ourselves, and live selfishly, if we repent and return to Him, He will turn it all into good (Romans 8:28-29). He's a just, merciful Father who is full of lovingkindness. However, we're not free from the consequences of our sin choices, but praise the Lord, God is a God of redemption and restoration. Jesus' great sacrifice and love paid for all sins, past, present, and future. Once and done! If you sin today (you probably will) and die before you have time to confess your sins, you still will be escorted by angels into His presence, if you have been BORN AGAIN. True freedom is who makes one free...Jesus! Jesus is the truth and through Him there is eternal life with Him in Heaven, not eternal damnation.
Some might say, in Christ, you are now a slave to Him and aren't free to do what you want. True, we become His slaves which is far better. What they don't yet understand yet is, not everything is beneficial to me. We're also not free from sins consequences. Still others say even in Christ, you are free to do what you want because grace covers your sin. Grace is not a license to sin. That's rebellion towards God. If you're truly His child, discipline will come to turn you back to Him, but you won't escape His repercussions. When you are "free to do what you want," and you're not a follower of Jesus Christ, you are still a slave (a slave to sin). Satan has you like a puppet on a string and you follow his ways which leads to spiritual death and/or eternal punishment. God is God and because He is God, He has a perfect plan and knows what's best. If and when He becomes your Master, you go from slavery to slavery, yes, but God's slavery benefits you. It doesn't destroy you. Trust in Him. He knows best. Don't be tricked by the master deceiver, Satan, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy all in his path with his lies. "The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
For when you were slaves of sin (unsaved), you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life (Romans 6:2--22) www.onepassionministries.org/transcripts
Who is your master? What are you mastered by?
Do you know the Truth? Have you been forgiven? Are you free or have you fallen back under bondage again?
Jesus can set you free the Enemy's snare! Trust in Jesus. Allow Him to take the SHACKLES off!
"I breath the air of freedom in knowing my life is better off in Your hands
The past is gone, what's done is done now I'm alive and I'm never gonna look back
I can never be, never be, free without You
I can never be, never be me, without You
This is the sound of chains breaking
This is the beat of a heart changing
This is a song of a soul forgiven
This is my FREEDOM HYMN, my freedom hymn
Who the Son sets (free)
Is free indeed
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| Tess -July 4,2015 |
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| Clark David & Tucker -Jan. 1, 2002 |
Thank You, Lord for the free gift of salvation through the shedding of Your innocent blood for my sins. Because of my second birth, I am WHO YOU SAY I AM. and You say I AM FREE.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).
"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).
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| Broken and Trapped -July 4, 2019 |
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Butterflies: A Story of Rebirth
Rebirth can be a difficult concept to understand, but the lovely little butterfly offers a picture of what takes place when Christ comes into a human heart. The caterpillar's metamorphosis provides a wonderful illustration of a believer's spiritual transformation:
The caterpillar or larva is in the feeding phase. It eats the leaves in its world just as we feed on the ideas of the world around us.
At the chrysalis or pupa stage, the caterpillar appears lifeless. Jesus' lifeless body was taken down off the cross and placed in a tomb. A believer's chrysalis stage is when we die to sin.
The caterpillar emerges from its cocoon, transformed into a completely new creature. Similarly, we who recognize our sin, confess it, receive God's forgiveness, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord are transformed into new life in Him.
The butterfly does not return to the caterpillar state; nor can it return to the pupa phase. When a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it flies -- something it couldn't do before! The butterfly also drinks sweet nectar instead of gorging on leaves.
Are you a new creation in Christ still trying to gorge on leaves? If so, do you find them choking you? Are you a new creation in Christ still trying to crawl back inside the cocoon to live as you once lived? Even if you could go back in time, leaves would no longer nourish you, and the torn, cocoon would no longer protect you. Why? Because God has transformed you into a new creation. Now you have the blessed privilege and opportunity to soar in His power and do His work on this planet. So spread your wings into their full, beautiful glory. It's time to fly.
Lord Jesus, at times I want to return to the cocoon, and at other times I want to gorge on the world's ideas and values. Thank You for the beautiful reminder of the butterfly that never turns back to an earlier stage of life. Thank You, too, for this lovely symbol of both Your resurrection and my transformation (Excerpted from "Butterflies: A Story of Rebirth" Devotions from the Garden by Miriam Drennan).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FIAzfKdpCQ (click to watch butterfly video)
The above devotional on rebirth and butterflies was an electronicmail I received September of 2015, one year after Clark David passed away. God used butterflies to speak to my heart just five months after his death. This rebirth story was both enlightening and heartbreaking. Clark David had become that new creation, but was no longer drinking sweet nectar (fellowship with God). He was broken and trapped, in need of being freed... of letting God be in control again. His life didn't end the way God intended for it to, but as I heard Rick Burgess say, "If I believe in a God who could've stopped it (and I do), I have to believe in a God who allowed it (and I do)" for a greater victory.
The above devotional on rebirth and butterflies was an electronicmail I received September of 2015, one year after Clark David passed away. God used butterflies to speak to my heart just five months after his death. This rebirth story was both enlightening and heartbreaking. Clark David had become that new creation, but was no longer drinking sweet nectar (fellowship with God). He was broken and trapped, in need of being freed... of letting God be in control again. His life didn't end the way God intended for it to, but as I heard Rick Burgess say, "If I believe in a God who could've stopped it (and I do), I have to believe in a God who allowed it (and I do)" for a greater victory.
One of the most potentially frightening aspects of being a Christian is knowing that when you put your trust in Jesus, all of Hell takes arms against you intending evil upon your life. And, yet what trumps that fear and evil is knowing that, no matter what comes, God is the Master Weaver. He takes what was intended for evil and reweaves it for good. --Max Lucado, "You'll Get Through This"
WHAT WAS MEANT FOR EVIL, GOD USES FOR GOOD
This morning, Sunday, July 14, as I was headed out to walk, God literally brought to mind a good pastor friend. We've attended the church where he pastor's many times and I always love listening to his teaching. So, I thought, okay I will listen to one of his messages instead of what I normally do. I landed on June 11,2017, but thinking it was June of this year. I was so surprised to hear how similar his message was to what God had put on my heart. He asked the question, "What are you a slave to? Is it money, a job, an addiction, your children? We are all slaves to something. We are born into slavery, but we're deceived into thinking we aren't! "And I'm paraphrasing here but he said when we're slaves to Jesus Christ there is joy. There is satisfaction and contentment when one is a slave to Christ. Thank you, Lord for guiding me and sending me affirmation.
I also came across a butterfly article today. Again, so similar to the butterfly rebirth writing, but more in depth and enlightening. "What wonderful things God created for mankind. All creation reflects His glory --even simple bugs. Their very special life-source relationship with the milkweed plant provides a wonderful comparison to an even more precious story!
(WWW.CREATIONTODAY.ORG THE BUTTERFLY'S BLOOD)
Even though the Devil deceives and blinds us in many ways and is extremely powerful to get us off course, thank You God that You are sovereign over all and You use the Enemy to do Your dirty work. Thank You, Lord that You have conquered sin and death. The victory is Yours and You have the final say. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
If you are battling with depression, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, please know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! You are not weak for admitting your need for help! You are not a burden to anyone! Don't believe the lies in your head! YOU ARE LOVED, but more importantly, you are loved by God, your Maker. Help IS available. Choose to talk to someone, share your feelings and get help!
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