Daily Reading 7-4-17
Happy Independence Day! In America, we are a free people because we are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. How grateful I am to live in the United States and for our military and law enforcement who keep order and maintain mutual respect among its people.
Because of Jesus, we are spiritually free. We are free to receive the love of God so we may love Him in return and extend love to all people. We are free from the penalty of sin. We are free to turn away from practicing sin. In Christ, we are free to serve one another in His love. The Spirit makes us free and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
Take time to thank God for your freedom, because He is the Maker of heaven and earth; He is the One in control. I have chosen to share some Scriptures that highlight freedom. Enjoy!
Luke 4:18-19 NLT
18
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
John 8:31-32 NLT
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)
2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT
17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:13-14 NLT
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Peter 2:16 ESV
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the freedom you provide. I celebrate the independence you have granted me; but I choose to be fully dependent upon you because you are abundant life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.