Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Nicole Nordeman singing her song … Finally Free … poignantly singing of how our surrender to Jesus as King sets us free from the chains of our sin.
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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 8:1-2 [NKJV] … 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
… But are we truly walking in the freedom provided by the Spirit?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:1-2, 15-17 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul, teaching Christians that we have been set free from the bondage of our flesh and sin as we walk in the Spirit of Christ.
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Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NKJV] … 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. … “
… When we can deny our selves and follow Him, thru His grace He gives us His freedom.
Reference Passage : … John 8:32-26 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus on the freedom from our sin/self we find in Christ and walking in His Spirit.
Reference Passage : … John 15:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We become fruitful in Christ when we all Him to prune away self as we abide in Him.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, relates a concept/practice he learned from a British Christian, which expands our attitude toward and practice of offering up prayers about God’s grace. The ODB author wrote: When I was a boy in the village, something about chickens fascinated me. Whenever I caught one, I held it down for a few moments and then gently released it. Thinking I was still holding it, the chicken remained down; even though it was free to dash away, it felt trapped.
When we put our faith in Jesus, He graciously delivers us from sin and the hold that Satan had on us. However, because it may take time to change our sinful habits and behavior, Satan can make us feel trapped. But God’s Spirit has set us free; …
If you’re reading here, please take the time to listen to the linked song, where Nicole Nordeman sings of the freedom from self and sin we have when we’re willing to surrender our self to the Savior and walk in His Spirit. It’s the ultimate paradox of the Christian life … i.e., that surrendering ourselves to slavery to Christ as His disciples completely frees us from the slavery we had in self/sin before we trusted and believed in Christ as Lord.
When Jesus is truly Lord of our lives, the chains of self are broken (see photo) and we know the truth of Romans 8:1 … that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!”
So, have we truly surrendered to Jesus’ command in Luke 9:23? Because if we have, … we will find ourselves abiding in Christ and become fruitful (see John 15: 1-8) in the freedom He provides in an abiding relationship with Him.
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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for setting me free from the bondage of myself.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … shine Your light on my patch clearly today, Lord, so I may freely walk in Your Spirit.
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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