Freedom in Commitment

1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak

Freedom is not simply about being free to do whatever you want but ironically its a commitment. When in a relationship you are free to be with that person and its freeing because you don't have to go through the drama anymore. When one is free in Christ, they are committed to that freedom and even the responsibilities that come with it. Whether free or bound there are responsibilities that need to be accounted for.

v.12-13 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

I have a responsibility in my freedom. I cannot allow my actions to affect someone so much they sin because of it. When i was bound to the enemy i didn't care about others, it was all about me. But now in my freedom i am committed to thinking about others. I am committed to trying my best in doing the right things as best as i can. I am committed to be a solid rock and not a stumbling block. And though this seems like a lot for me to handle i know i am free of the worry, the doubt and the confusion of my life and who I'm supposed to be. God gave me a plan - a plan to be committed to His freedom and helping others make the same commitment.

Lord,
I am committed to you. To your love, to your grace, to your freedom. I am following you because i believe in you and everything you stand for. You are the only one that has remained and will continue to stay with me. I trust in you and have never regretted committing to you. I give you my life body and soul today and forever.
I forever love you
Amen

Bypass it all

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Moses just died and Joshua was put in charge. To suddenly going from follower to leader can bring fear and stress. But Gods advice was simple and meant for anyone whatever level they're in.

Psalm 37:4-5,7, 23-24 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

When God looks at His children, he doesn't see what level of leadership they're in. So God didn't see Joshua as a follower than a leader but he saw him as a child of God. He saw his heart and the fear inside of it. When God sees us he looks at the heart and what we need the most comfort in. Today God is seeing my heart and knows what i need to hear. He knows i need to hear to keep hanging on. Keep hanging on to His word, His promises, to His joy and delight. He knows that i need to hear to keep being patient with Him that all my desires will come to pass because he promised them. But i need to trust him and delight in Him. So knowing what God is telling me i gotta tell Him that i will do what i need to do to be closer to Him.

Father,
At times its hard to be joyful and to simply trust in your timing. Sometimes i want to do things my way in my time but i know that's not doing your will. Lord help me see what you do to be like you are and forgive and be compassionate to all people. Give me the strength and courage to by pass those things that hurt me and see the things you have in store for me.
I forever love you
Amen

3/11/09 Be a Gentile

Galatians 2:11-12 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Paul had crawled his way to the top. He was on the bottom for so long that it was too hard for him to stand up right away. So he got mad when Peter took his relationship with the gentiles for granted. Paul knew what it was like to be against God and even though he was a Jew he had a gentile mentality and didn't want any gentile to be lost just because peter was embarrassed of what the others would say about him.

As a minister for God i have to be ready to sit with anyone. God puts certain people in my path so they can feel accepted and welcomed and loved. So when i am with them in private or public God wants me to show them that same love because it never changes with environment.

Lord,
give me the love for Jew or gentile alike. Help me to make them feel welcome in any situation. Give me the words to say and the attitude of Christ.
I forever love you
Amen.