Freed From Bondage To Love And Serve Others

"And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."

                                        (Num 11:4-6 KJV)

God's chosen ones whining! He has just delivered them from bondage and they are complaining because all they have to eat in the desert is manna. They seem to prefer the fish and vegetables they were able to eat as  slaves rather than their freedom from slavery.

Freedom does have its costs. To break free from bondage often requires some sort of sacrifice. In the case of God's chosen in order to receive their own land from God they will travel through the wilderness depending totally on God to protect them and feed them. But, they don't like the food that he feeds them with. They prefer what slavery had to over them.

In any huge change to our lifestyles we need to be prepared to experience more changes than just the change that we want. The Israelites apparently weren't expecting the hardships they endured to get to the promised land.

If you seek the promised land, the Kingdom of God; if you seek to be freed from the bondage you have to a materialistic and self-centered world, you must be prepared to have your lives changed. You must be prepared to do without those things that have kept you in bondage.  Life will not be the same. You will need to trust God completely to lead you through the wilderness. You will need to have faith that He will provide for your daily needs. It was not easy for the Israelites and it will not be easy for anyone today.

In Christ we have been made free. But, our freedom is not so that we might indulge ourselves. We have been freed by the blood of Christ to love and serve  God and to love and serve our neighbor.   

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Gal 5:13-14)

Even as God chose the Israelites to be His chosen ones, He has called us to be His children as well. He has freed us from the bondage to sin by the blood of his only begotten Son, Jesus, so that we might go forth loving and caring for one another. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Likewise let us love our neighbors even as he loves you and them.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Quit Whining And Rejoice In Christ Our Savior!

Matthew 5:1-12 KJV

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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Quit whining! Rejoice! Thank God that you live! Hopefully, prayerfully, you live for him! I know that life can be very tough at times. Many are persecuted for what they believe. Some are persecuted for what they don't believe. But, Jesus reminds us that those who are persecuted for his sake will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

When I look back at the history of the world, I am reminded how fortunate we are today. Yes, there are still injustices. But, no one gets their hand chopped off for stealing a piece of fruit from a vender to feed their child. There are most often consequences for theft; but, not so drastic as they were in years gone by. No one is getting egregiously accused of being a witch and being burned at the stake. We actually have running water and can stave off illnesses caused by poor or no appropriate hygiene. We have a lot to be thankful for!

Consider how Christ died for us even while we were yet sinners. Consider the love he has for us. Is not the fact that we are saved and heirs of the kingdom of heaven through the sacrifice that he made for us a blessing!? Rejoice in that blessing! 

Things can be hurtful today. There is no doubt about that. Regardless, sometimes we need to stand up and speak the truth no matter what might happen afterwards. At other times, maybe we just need to quit whining about what we don't have and thank God for what we do have. Sometimes we just need to do what that old cliche "Count your blessings" tells us to do. Sometimes, we just need to recognize that those things we count as times of suffering maybe actually be blessings. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:3)

God's Peace - Pr. J.