That old saying is true.  Freedom isn’t free.  Sometimes it can be very expensive.  Sometimes we have to give everything in order to obtain it.  People in the military understand this.  Throughout the year, on various holidays, we recognize our soldiers that have given their lives to keep us free.  There are celebrations and parades.  We honor veterans, and rightly so.

But there is someone else who also deserves honor.  He gave us the kind of freedom that no man ever could.  Galatians 5:1 says “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  

We recognize Jesus on various holidays, like Christmas and Easter.  What about the rest of the year?  Do we truly understand our freedom?  Romans 8:2 says “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  As wonderful as our military people are, they cannot free us from sin and death. Only Jesus can do that.  Let’s celebrate our freedom every day and make Jesus the hero of our heart!

Stumble?  Me?

Mark 9:2

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

I think we have probably said that we would never cause a child to stumble.  That would just be so wrong.  And then, “stumbles” start to creep in and we don’t notice it at first. 

Children get their values and beliefs from what they see modeled at home.  They may forget what we say but they will most likely remember what they see.  What are our children or grandchildren seeing?

1) The sign says children 12 and under get in free.  Our child is 13 – what do we tell our child to say if they ask his/her age?  Do we tell them to give a younger age?  (cheat)

2)  We bring home a couple of pens or a pad from the office – did we pay for them?  (steal)

3) The phone rings – we say “tell whoever it is that I am not home”.  (lie)

4) The neighbor gets a really nice expensive car – do we say or even think, “I would really love to have that car”?  (covet)

5)  When things don’t go right, do we use the name of Jesus to express our frustration? (saying the Lord’s name in vain)

6)  Chances are none of us have murdered anyone – but what are our thoughts when it comes to someone that we are angry with?  (committing murder)

7)  We say that we are a Christian but then we dabble with palm readers, horoscopes, Ouija boards “just for fun” to see what it says.  (having idols)

Are we perfect?  Nope.  Not yet.  But we need to be careful when it comes to living out what we preach.  If our actions don’t line up with our words, what do you think our children will remember?  What can we do? 

1)  If the sign says children 12 and under get in free and our child is 13 – we pay the admission fee.

2)  We leave the pens and pads at work – we go to Dollar Tree and buy a couple.

3)  If we don’t want to be interrupted by phone calls, we can put our phone on “silent”. 

4)  We can admire the neighbor’s car without coveting.  Being thankful for the car that we have is a great witness to our children. 

5)  We can remember that Jesus is holy and so is His name.

6)  We can pray for those that have angered us.

7)  We need to look to Jesus only.

OK, so maybe we have stumbled a bit.  Confess it to God and He will forgive.  It’s that easy!  We can pray for help to change whatever our behavior is that could cause a child to stumble.  Children are important to Jesus and we have His standards to help us guide and direct them on the right path.  Even if our parents did not do that for us, we can still do it or our children.  The buck stops here!   

Remember:
Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

 

Who am I?

Have you ever wondered about your life?  Why am I here?  What am I doing?  Am I making a difference?  Is there something else I should be doing?  Who am I?  I think we all question ourselves at some point in our lives.  Maybe these answers will help:

Why am I here?  God thought the world needed someone like you.

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;  Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:14 - I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

God knows us and He knew us before we were even born.  Think about that for a minute.  The King of heaven and earth chose you to be born. 

What am I doing?

Matthew 6:19-20 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Are we laying up treasures in heaven or accumulating stuff on earth?  Is getting ahead all we think about?

 

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Think about it – we can do ALL things.  What is it that you would like to do?  When we have Jesus, we can do all things!

Am I making a difference?  That all depends on what you are doing.  If we are laying up treasures for ourselves, we may not be making the kind of difference that matters.  Sometimes being kind to another person will make the biggest difference in that person’s life.  Buying a meal for a homeless person will certainly make a difference in their life.  When you are shopping, a kind word to the cashier could put a smile on their face.  A cold drink for the repairman or delivery person.  Helping a neighbor . . . I think you get the idea.  Instead of being self-centered, we can be others-oriented and that will make a difference.

Is there something else I should be doing?  Have you felt a tug on your heart to go in a different direction.  God gave us skills and gifts – are we using them for His kingdom?  Most churches have a variety of ministries geared toward different needs in the congregation.  The obvious ones are singing with the worship team or greeting people at the door.  Are you a good cook?  Join a ministry that brings meals to shut-ins or those who are recovering from an illness.  Do you love babies?  The church nursery probably needs some volunteers.  Do you have a green thumb?  Can you sew or knit?  Are you handy with tools?  There’s a place for you to use those skills and gifts that God gave you.  Use them for His kingdom and glory. 

Who am I?  I am a child of God.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am a daughter or son of the King of Glory.  I am redeemed and forgiven.

Colossians 1:13-14 - He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

If someone you know were to describe you using your character, would they describe you as a child of God or something else?