“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.”
Proverbs 15:1

Carol was a defiant woman.  Pride was her armor.  And anger was her companion.  She was a political activist.  She actually enjoyed wielding her fury.

People cowered under Carol’s verbal attacks. Except for Linda.

Carol hated her sincere smile and how she seemed unfrazzled by harsh words.  Carol confronted Linda and insulted her faith as a test.  Linda’s response was,  ”Jesus loves you, Carol.” and walked away.

Carol was shocked.  Inwardly she felt ugly and hateful.  That night, she broke down in tears.  She kept repeating Linda’s words, “Jesus loves you, Carol.”

Carol apologized to Linda the next day.  And asked about Jesus.

The One who could free her from anger and hatred.

Carol found release through her new faith in Christ.

Dear one, Jesus Christ can give you a new life today!

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Get a better understanding of what it means to be a believer of Jesus:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

FURTHER READING

• How to Be Saved
• How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
• How to Be Confident You Will Go to Heaven When You Die
• How to Know I Am Really Saved (short version)

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“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to – what I hate…When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway….It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong…So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free” Romans 7:15,19,21,24,25

Harry gave every indication of being a happy, joyful, fruitful Christian. He was active in every major event of the church and many large citywide Christian efforts. He always had a high visibility, and because of his extrovertive, outgoing personality he seemed to be a model Christian.

Then one day I saw the real Harry. He just blurted it out.

“I‘m a hypocrite – miserable, defeated, frustrated. I’ve lived a lie and worn a mask all my life, never wanting to reveal my true self. But I need help. I’m seriously thinking of committing suicide. I just can’t live the Christian life, no matter how hard I try.”

As I began reading Romans 7:15-25, he said, “That is my biography, the story of my life. I’ve done everything I know to find victory – to live the Christian life as I know I’m supposed to live it. But everything fails for me no matter how hard I try.”

I encouraged him to read on. Paul asks the question in the 25th verse, “Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?” Then he answers that question by saying “Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free.”

If you are living a carnal life, as described in Romans 7, you can be liberated to experience a full and abundant, victorious and fruitful life, as you by faith claim the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment.

Bible Reading: Romans 7:18-23

Today’s Thought:  By faith, I will claim the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live the abundant, supernatural life that Jesus promised, so that I can bring glory to God by bearing much.

By Dr. Bill Bright
used by permission

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“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Since those first euphoric democratic elections in 1999, citizens of South Africa celebrate Freedom Day every year on April 27. It is a reminder that freedom is truly precious. Jesus’ death on the cross made us free from the burden of sin. Now knowing Him and receiving His gift of salvation makes us truly free. It is a freedom we can celebrate every day of the year and it is a freedom that is magnetic. In “Bread for the Journey” Henri Nouwen writes, “When you are interiorly free you call others to freedom, whether you know it or not. Freedom attracts wherever it appears.”

Reflect:
Are you standing in the freedom that Christ has bought for you?
Is your freedom so attractive to others that they also want to know this Jesus?

Prayer:
Father, thank You for my freedom. I don’t take it for granted. I receive and embrace this freedom that makes me free body, soul and spirit. Help me to live in such a way that I make You attractive to others.

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Read: John 8:31-36

Freedom is something we all love, but do we really know what it is?

Some people think it’s being able to choose or act with few if any restraints, limits, or accountabilities. But that is what God calls rebellion because it’s a rejection of authority, as each one does as he sees fit (1 Samuel 12:14-15). True freedom is being released from bondage to sin, and that is only possible through Jesus Christ.

The first step to freedom is recognizing areas where we are imprisoned. People who have not received Christ as Savior are in bondage to sin and unbelief. They can neither believe God nor trust the promises of Scripture because sin has blinded their eyes to the truth that they need a Savior.

Even followers of Christ can find themselves in bondage to particular sins despite repeated attempts to change. But for some of us, the struggle is with more subtle kinds of enslavement. Habitual feelings of inferiority, insecurity, rejection, or worthlessness can cloud our responses to life’s challenges by altering our ability to think or act while undermining our trust and obedience to God.

The Lord wants us walking in freedom, and Jesus describes the pathway. He says that if we’ll continue in God’s Word, we will know the truth, and it will set us free (John 8:31-32). First of all, we are liberated from sin and its condemnation through faith in Christ. Then, as we continue reading and meditating on Scripture, our mind, will, and emotions will be changed. The sins that once enticed us will become repugnant, and the emotional prisons will be opened as we discover our position in Christ.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission
https://www.intouch.org/

Further Reading

•   Where Do I Call Home? – A Refugee’s story.  Helen Loewen’s story

•  Truth – God’s truth remains the same from age to age,

•  Salvation Explained

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