Give Me Liberty

From an early age, we learn that the wrong actions result in less freedom. Parents may have sent us to our rooms for “timeouts” when we did something wrong. Later, we may have been “grounded” for errors in judgment. As adults, we know that if we are caught doing something illegal, we can be sent to confinement. God’s truth tells us what we must do to have real liberty to experience all that He designed for us.

James 1:25 says, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”Obeying the laws of the land and the ways of God gives us freedom. This freedom is liberty from governmental punishment, and liberty to live as we are designed by God to live.

Honor the On

Have you ever owned a unique product or art piece? Or have you ever participated in a one of a kind event. These unique experiences or possessions hold a special place in our hearts and we give them honor whenever we think about them. How much more, then, should we honor the only Sovereign King.

I Timothy 6:15-16 says, “he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. ” If we want to live for eternity, we must trust the only one who has immortality. If we desire to live according to wisdom, we must walk with the only one who dwells in light. Our God is the only Sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords.

Plans Gone Awry

So many times, things do not turn out like I had planned. The timing was wrong, I forgot something important, or some other obstacle pops up that I cannot overcome. I may have had the best intentions, but lacked the ability to overcome the obstacles and follow through.

Isaiah 14:24 says, “The LORD of hosts has sworn: As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” We face all kinds of obstacles in life and many times, the plans that we make do not come to fruition. But God never fails and obstacles can never thwart His plans and purposes. Therefore, we can trust His promises and act in faith.

Let The Celebration Begin

Some people are known as the life of the party. The fun begins when they show up. I am not known as the life of the party.

Psalm 24:7-8 says, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!” In ancient times, the king would return from battle victory and the gates of the city would be opened for king, the beginning of a great celebration. We have the opportunity to open our hearts so that the King of all glory may enter and the celebration of saints and angels shall begin and continue throughout eternity.

Hearing Aids

I have worn hearing aids for decades. I am at the point now that I can’t hear a lot of what is said to me or around me. I try all the tricks to hear better, but still don’t hear enough, even though most of the time, I really want to hear what is said. The speaker and I have to be in the right position and make the extra effort for me to hear.

I Samuel 3:10 says, “and the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.'” In order to hear what the Lord wants to speak to us, we must be listening for His voice. This was the fourth time that God called out to Samuel in one night, but only the first time that Samuel really listened for God to speak. Finally, Samuel knew that it was God speaking to him and had something God wanted him to do.

Giving Honor Versus Despising

As children, when we did what our parents asked, we honored them. When we didn’t do what they requested, we despised them to go our own way. As part of the workforce, when we do what the company requires and needs, we honor the company. When we don’t fulfill the requirements and needs, we acting in a way that despises the company.

I Samuel 2:30 says, “for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” With each decision we make and every action we take, we make a choice whether to honor God or to despise Him. When we follow Him and are transformed into His image, we honor Him. When we go our own way, we are acting in a way that despises Him.