Continuing in Freedom

Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant which I commanded your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all which I command you, so you shall be My people, and I will be your God.’ Jeremiah 11:3,4 (New American Standard Bible)

When God brought the children of Israel out of the ‘iron furnace’ of Egypt it was not the end of their story….it was merely the beginning. He brought them out of bondage to teach them how to live in freedom. True freedom comes through obedience and connection with God, not living independent of Him. Seeing their own captivity and being freed from it was wonderful but if they did not continue to listen to God and do what He said they would enter a worse bondage… a self imposed bondage. They would become captives of their own passions, sin natures, and ungodly bents. To read the history of Israel is often like looking into a prophet mirror at ourselves.

Like Israel, my freedom comes in stages. I must be aware of where I am in bondage. What are the mindsets that prevent me from living in complete freedom? What are the addictions, habits, and beliefs that keep my soul locked up? As I identify them, I desire freedom. But desire alone is not what sets me free. My journey to freedom begins and continues as I learn to listen to God and embrace what He tells me. I must acknowledge the truth and live out of that truth.

As I allow Him, God shows me the causes and effects of my personal areas of bondage. I am daily seeing the connection between present circumstances and past events. Because my view of life and God was skewed early on, it affects the way I interpret things today. For me, the biggest area this has impacted is with relationships. I have spent decades looking at relationships through a faulty grid and the result has often been painful. What I desire from others and what I am able to give to others is distorted unless I allow God to bring things into right focus. It becomes a time of exchanges. Exchanging truth for lies and freedom for bondage. The renewing of my mind through Scripture is leading to transformation of my heart and resulting in a change of my words, actions, and thoughts. The freedom I am seeking is only found in cooperation with and trust in my Abba Father.

Sometimes this process is accompanied by individuals God brings into my life but often it is taking place one on one with Himself. He wisely determines which it will be. I profit the most when I trust what He is doing, heed what He says, embrace what He reveals, and obey what He requires. It all comes from His heart of love and in that I rest!

Father, I desire liberty of my heart, soul, and mind. Continue to show me my own captivities and what will lead me to freedom. Amen.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Zc_VWJJoI&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.