Freedom!

We can have FREEDOM!!

When we refocus our attention on the needs of OTHERS when we ourselves are in turmoil, it allows the burden of our circumstance to be removed from us.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.  He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.  To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory (Isa 61:2-3 ).

*I love the list of favour in verse 3, beauty instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning and praise instead of despair. What an awesome God we have!
*God invites us to share true wealth with Him, to find complete satisfaction of all our wants in Him.
We must be sincere in seeking Him however; we cannot claim to be a man of God & then live in a worldly way.
God really does have riches beyond our comprehension for us, as well as clear purpose and joy in existence.

Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks prophetically about the coming of Jesus.
* Jesus came to bring a message of hope to the poor and oppressed.
* Jesus came to mend and bring us FREEDOM. To comfort us when we grieve.
*Jesus came to take our ashes, our clothes of mourning, and our brokenness and give us crowns of glory, clothes of righteousness, and abundant joy. Hallelujah!

Jesus fulfilled all these things and then commissioned US to carry out His work. *In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructs His disciples and US to bring the good news to all nations and to make disciples.
* It is now our responsibility as Christ’s followers to bring good news to the poor and oppressed, to proclaim freedom in Jesus to those in bondage, and to comfort those who grieve with the hope of Jesus.
May we follow closely in the steps of our Lord.

Remedy for Depression:
A 1988 article in Psychology Today reported on an experiment involving 1700 women under stress.
* The women participated in various projects that involved HELPING other people!!!
* Within 30 days, 85 percent of the women reported that they had been relieved of stress symptoms that included “stress-related disorders such as headaches, voice loss and even pain accompanying lupus and multiple sclerosis.

I suspect many people could save thousands of dollars on therapy and antidepressants if they would just take time to SERVE OTHERS.

** The best way to get beyond our PAIN is to get outside of it.
*I discovered this in my own journey through dark times and my own Self Pity parties.
I decided to Serve Others MORE when I was in great emotional pain. These times had a remarkable positive effect on my emotional state and helped me Trust  more on the Lord in ALL circumstances. Once I got off of myself-A FREEDOM and A PEACE started to set in and I  experienced a Purpose bigger then myself:  to Love others unconditionally!   Thank you Lord for the Freedom!
*I believe when we refocus our attention on the needs of OTHERS when we ourselves are in turmoil, it allows the burden of our circumstance to be removed from us.
***The more one focuses on their own problem the more likely you are to become depressed.

*Isaiah understood a principle that is still valid today.
* If you find yourself depressed because of a circumstance in your life, take Isaiah’s advice-begin to Praise the Lord in spite of the circumstances you see. ***Then you will see the spirit of heaviness begin to be lifted.
Galations 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
*The Foundations of Our Freedom.
John 8:32-” and ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free. ”
*Heroes of faith are always looking for ways and opportunities to glorify the name of God.

*Intimacy with God requires freedom in our flesh and spirit to fully and wholly love God.
Our inner self (mind, heart and soul) are created to align with the Holy Spirit in us (which is there when we accept Jesus).
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we allow our inner self to believe the negative things and those things that does not edify us.
Therefore, the Spirit is not able to help you with thoughts you need to hear. In this case we, need to bring up words from the Bible that edifies us to Allow the Spirit to intercede for us.
****Our fullness is in Christ!!!

*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.
*IF we Walk in the Spirit— we will NOT carry out the desire of the flesh.
*What you FEED grows!
*What you STARVE dies!

*Gods desire is for us to experience the Freedom that can only come through Jesus. We are slaves to our sinful nature without Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.  10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
***You are forgiven, it is done! So when you think of yourself, you are not a work in progress, you are complete, you are righteous, you are blessed, because Christ DID IT for you already.
If you are able to fully accept and believe this, you are FREE to use a special gift God given you His Masterpiece!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

God, I pray that I value the freedom that you have given me. I’m FREE to be in your Presence and FREE to share of Your love and see Your glory.  I pray for myself and friends and family. I pray that the burden of slavery will overwhelm us so that we RUN to YOU.
I pray that we quickly recognize when we become enslaved so that we RUN back to you.  I pray that we do not become confused by what are Freedoms are and that we don’t believe the lies that can be manipulated by “freedom”.  I pray that we will stand firm for Your glory.
Lord, I will trust in Your promises that you will fill me with all good things if I hold tightly to You. I pray for Your Wisdom & for Focus in following You. Thank You for Your promises Lord; Thank you for setting a sinner like myself FREE. Thank you that the blessing of Salvation is given apart from WORKS,
apart from RITUALS, apart from RULES
FREE means FREE!  I know You love me!
Amen

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