Freedom
Devotions / 8 comments
It is 1 o’clock in the morning here in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s been a whirlwind since we landed last Friday and I will never forget this experience. For the past 5 days we’ve had the privilege to meet some of the most beautiful people in the world.
South Africa is a wonderful country with very hospitable people. They are easy to hang with, love their sports and are always trying to feed you. As you can imagine, we feel right at home. However, they would tell you themselves that their history has been a “struggle”. The segregation, racism, oppression and poverty have wreaked havoc for a long time in this country. It wasn’t until the early 90’s when things started to turn around. I wouldn’t give it the respect it deserves if I tried to explain the details on the changes, how they came about and how far this country has come in such a short amount of time. I would highly recommend some personal study and research on “Apartheid” and it’s destruction.
Just a few hours ago, we were blessed to be able to sing in front of thousands of young South Africans as they sang along at the top of their voices. Dancing, chanting, jumping and worshipping with hands lifted to heaven. Shouting unto God with a voice of triumph! It was a thundering sound that will forever be etched in my heart. It was a cry from deep down. No longer a desperate weeping because of anger or sorrow. But a jubilant and unmistakable celebration of “Freedom”! How sweet it is to witness a people, once bound by slavery and the darkest of times, now “Free” to “Be Free”!
The challenge for South Africa is the same challenge that people everywhere are faced with today. How will we use our freedom? In Galatians 5:13 its says- “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love”. Our Pastor Rice Broocks put it this way, “Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want to do. It the power to do what you ought to do”! What will you do with your freedom? How will you use it? Remember, it was purchased with a very high price. Don’t waste it! Don’t take it for granted. Don’t abuse it! Freedom isn’t free! Someone died so you and I could be free!
J9 (not Xander's wife)
Hey guys – just wanna say that u rocked the house of God on Tuesday @ Godstock! Keep doing God’s work and do come back to SA soon. Big up to Xander – even tho you’re at the back I know how much work goes into it.
LaDetra (Faith)
Glad to know that you had such a great time in South Africa.Like you said both the freedom we have in Christ and the freedom we have in this country didn’t come without a price, so we should make the best of it.Hope for ya’ll a safe trip back. See Ya!
Cornhusker-Katinas fan
Thanks for the good word it is humbling to learn of the good fight being fought in SA….God’s Blessings and safe travels.
=MFlolo=
Thank you – Thank you – Thank you JESUS! When I think of Freedom I think of Kingdom. The Kingdom of GOD that you and I live within has set the parameters for our Freedom. And it is the King that we serve Whom declares “it is so” or “oh no you don’t.” Okay I’m taking a little creative license here. But I have this feeling that as believers we understand Freedom better than the unsaved, non-spirit filled man. It’s just one more sign of the times how the world takes a God thing, Freedom, flips it around and mis-interprets its design or intention. We know that “Freedom of speach” is riteous but a real believer understands that life and death are within the toungue so we aren’t actually that free to say whatever we’d like to say. There is an obedience requirement and a submitting to authority pre-requisite that we get our power and freedom from- GOD! And it cost JESUS everything. But it is the order of GOD that, when followed, HE sets you free and all of your needs are provided for according to HIS… not your desires or your feelings. People we need to show restraint and Holy Reverence. The world has gone buck wild trying to get every perverse and unnatural desire passed as law or right. And then, they will attempt to silence the Christian pulpits from infringing on those rights. Where’s the freedom in that?
I have never been so thankful in all of my days. Things are far from perfect but in Christ Jesus I have had my life turned in a positive direction with hope and not destruction. I have a love for people today that causes me to do things spiritually and physically that only GOD would desire me to do. Because of GOD’s Freedom I am in HIS will. I can pray for people on the other side of the world and GOD will hear. Satan has no power over my life because GOD has given me the freedom to trample over serpents if I so choose. And believe me, I so choose! We are in a fight for our freedom. I appreciate this devotion Joe and the Katinas. It has me thinking and really questioning, how much of this are we, as believers, allowing to slip away from us. “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence but the violent take it by force.” We have to take back our Kingdom! The Kingdom is at hand. Freedom is at stake. The opportunity to lead someone to Jesus before they die is at stake.
Elizabeth
Thank you for the great blogs.
I love being free to be able to service God with a passion. We need to be believers who aren’t afraid to seek God with everything we have. We are free to really go out and serve God whole heartily. Let’s be obsessed in sharing our faith with others. Let’s be a movement who goes out and tries to make a difference with people. Anything is possible when God is the center of our lives. Love God with a passion. Use your freedom to make a difference in your world!
I just sent this email out to a lot of people:
No matter what kind of day we have had today there is still a God that has His heart wide open for you. He laid a path out for you to follow him and to serve Him. Let’s be people who aren’t afraid to make noise in our lives. Let’s stand up and make a difference in our lives. Let God be God in your life. Have a heart that is filled of passion for God. Be that example in your world that allows people to increase their faith for God because they see God through you. Start being obsessed with your faith that when you hear a great word you can’t wait to share it with someone. Be passionate in why God placed you on this Earth. Don’t let your purpose slide on by but instead start loving people and start showing people who God really is. Words can’t describe how passionate it is to be a son or a daughter of the Kingdom. Our God is real. He has a heart for us and we need to return that and be filled of loving Him back. Let’s be people who are doers of our Faith. Let’s have excellence in our Faith meaning that we are doing what we can to serve Him before someone tells us how to serve Him. Remember when you are in a dry spot in your life know that God is still there cheering you on. Be blessed in what God is doing in your life.
God Bless!
Elizabeth
Sista RJ
Talofa Kaseni’s (Kuzin’s); God bless all of you those in CHRIST are FREE indeed. So let’s press on while we journey through this place not our home for his glory, purpose our destiny! “he who wins souls is wise” (Abundant rich life indeed is our inheritance we are seated in the heavenly realms with him, we have the mind of CHRIST) If God is for us, who can be against us!
Sister fellow-co-laborer in Christ Jesus
RJ
MIKE WAZOWSKI
“Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want to do. It the power to do what you ought to do”! What will you do with your freedom? How will you use it?
started to get to know Christ in a deeper meaning.. not just through the tip of the iceberg. now, I’m more hungry to what Jesus has stored for me..
knowing that Jesus came to fix my life, gave us freedom to serve Him, that He’s the answer to all existential question there is.. i really want to share it to a lot of people who haven’t experienced God’s wonderful grace..
how would i use it??
i feel like God is calling me to serve Him. To serve Him in becoming a pastor.. guys pray for me, i’m caught up in my own thinking that i could serve Him through my chosen career which involves healthcare and being a pastor
MIKE WAZOWSKI
what i mean is choosing my profession or giving it up and be a pastor