The Healing of a Land

God had promised Abraham that he would make him into a great nation.  Through the obedience of his offspring ( Isaac , Jacob, Joseph and others) it had come to pass.  Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and later, his predecessor, Joshua would lead them to possess the Promised Land and to establish them as a great nation.  A nation with whom the presence of God dwelt.

As God made covenants with His people, over and over He reminded them that if they would follow His laws and obey His Word; His blessings would rest on them richly as a people.  But if they, instead, chose to wander away from Him, follow other nations and gods- rebelling against God’s laws, He would allow them to be overtaken by other nations.  The blessing of God on the children of Israel was found in enjoying His protection and rest from oppressors.

The United State of America, a country founded on a desire to worship God, has the same type of covenant relationship with the Lord.  If we honor Him, keep His decrees, and obey His Word, He will keep us safe from our enemies and protect our land.  If we choose to follow after other gods and forsake Him, He has no requirement to protect and keep us.  Just as He did Israel, the people whom He chose for His name’s sake.

Today we celebrate Independence Day- freedom from England- freedom to be an independent, self-governing nation.  We have a rich heritage indeed of godly men and women who worked hard to protect our freedom to worship God. A heritage of brave men and women who fought off our enemies that we might stand united and free.  Today is a day to celebrate our freedom, our rights, and our blessings as a nation.  In so doing, we remember those who valiantly fought to give us that right- paying the great price that we may enjoy freedom.

Additionally,  we must never forget that ultimately God establishes a nation and God brings it low.  Any success we enjoy is because His hand has provided it.  Focusing on military strength has merit, but our greatest strength comes from resting in the hands of the Almighty, covenant-keeping God who blesses those who follow Him for generations to come!  But He also reserves the right to allow chastening to come to His rebellious children.

Today, before we kick off our celebrations, will you join me in a time of remembering our spiritual heritage as a nation and praying for its protection?

Thank you, Lord, for the freedom and blessings we enjoy in America.  Thank you for those who laid down their lives.  We do realize that freedom is not free.  We stand not only in the shed blood of our military who has guarded our nation, but especially in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice for our sins.  We recognize, Oh Lord,  that every good and perfect gift comes down from you our Father.  We receive it with joy and meekness. 

Forgive us for transgressing against Your law and turning aside to follow after idols of self-promotion, pride, arrogance, fleshly lusts and rebellion.  Help us to humble ourselves once again and remember that it is only in You that we stand in freedom and covenant blessings.  We repent of bloodguilt and rebellion and we ask that you heal our land.  Heal political, racial and moral divides.  Bring us the blessing of a healed and whole nation.  Hear us, Oh God, we pray!

^“ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  2 Chron. 7:14

© Sherri Evans Ministries 2018. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

All Expense Paid

 

It was the summer I turned 19.  I was newly married and finally had my dream job- I worked for the State of Florida!  (OK, so ultimately not so dreamy, but at the time a BIG deal.) I remember being amazed that although I had just been hired full time, I would get a day off for free!  Memorial day weekend- a chance to barbeque, sleep in and shop!

It wasn't until yesterday, quite a few years later, that I realized... that day off was not free.  It was paid for by the blood of men and women who sacrificed to make America free.  It was a day of soberness and reflection, paid for with blood.  Wow.  I had totally missed it.

But just as quickly as thought came, revelation sprang in my Spirit.   I live everyday free.  Free from the penalty of my sin.  Free from spiritual oppression.  Free from bondage.  Free from darkness.  Brought to me by... the blood of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

I've heard it said that 'freedom isn't free'.  Nothing in life really is.  Every bit of it was bought and paid for by someone.  Free salad with an entrée?  Nah.  The price is included in the cost of everything else.  Free local park? Nope.  Paid for by tax dollars, or grants, also created with tax dollars.  No matter how free it is someone- somewhere- paid the bill.

Today if I choose to live in bondage, it is my choice.  My way has been purchased.  All expense paid departure is set aside for me.  All I have to do is believe and receive.

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  Rom. 10:9

Do you want to be free today?  If so, join me in prayer.

Dear Lord, I realize that I am in bondage due to my sin.  I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died for my sins and was raised from the dead.  I believe you paid the price to purchase my freedom and now I ask you to come in my heart, wash me and set me free.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

If you prayed that with me, I encourage you to tell a Christian and let them pray and rejoice with you!  Find a Bible believing church and become a part of regular worship, Bible study and growth.  There you will receive the tools you need to make the most of your freedom!  Congratulations!  You just made the best decision you will ever make!

© Sherri Evans Ministries 2017. All rights reserved. Used by permission. For booking schedule and information: sherrievans@sherrievansministries.com

Avoiding Recapture

 

    

Gal 5:1

 

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

NKJV

 

Freedom is  a funny thing.  It is difficult to receive and just as difficult to keep.  If you have ever lost a significant amount of weight through dieting,  or if you have gotten out of debt, you know this to be true.  To  stay free, we have to keep doing the stuff we did to get free.  But once we are free, we like to go back to the old way and begin to live as we did before.  The way that brought bondage to start with.

 

Jesus paid the price that purchased our freedom.  This act was infinitely expensive for Him.  But it is free for us.  It is a free gift that we receive by simply accepting by faith what He has offered.  So in that regard,  freedom is very simple to receive.  So what is the hard part?

 

We still live in the world  even after we are free.  The enemy of our soul continues to launch campaigns against us to ensnare us once again.  He vehemently opposes our freedom.  We cannot afford to be ignorant to his devices or  schemes.  We must stand firm.

 

In addition, there is an internal war of the flesh.  The carnal side of us has to be renewed once we are born again.   Jesus saves us and makes us a new creation.  But there is still a part of us that leans toward an evil tendency.  That part can only be overcome in the Spirit.  We destroy our fleshly desires and tendencies by starving them to death.  This is only done as we renew our minds by spending time in the Bible.  The Bible has power to change us from the inside out.  In addition, as we pray, our Spirit man is strengthened and becomes stronger than our weaknesses.  Don't get me wrong. The Spirit of God is always stronger than evil.  But if we do not give it place in our life,  we stunt our own spiritual  growth.   Finally, we must have teaching and Christian fellowship.  That is where the church comes in.  We become like the culture that we immerse ourselves in.  If we are only spending time in the world, that is what we mimic.  But if instead, we are in the Church, experiencing the power of God firsthand, hearing other people share about the victory they have in Christ, and having positive support, we are given the resources we need to grow and stand in Christ.

 

It is so important to pray and be made free from your sin.   But after that prayer, we cannot go back to our old way.  We must follow a new path. We must be regenerated God's way.   Standing in your victory takes effort, diligence and intentionality.

 

A final note- sometimes when people are set free, they begin to feel "invincible", like they cannot be conquered by anything.  During those times Christians can fall into a trap and believe that now that they are no longer addicted, they can have an occasional social drink, a cigarette when they are stressed,  or one more peek at pornography.  It is a lie from the pits of hell! When we go around stuff that has mastered us before, we purposely choose to step outside of God's protective umbrella and open the door to sin and bondage once more.  I have often read that we do not have to be stronger than sin, just smarter.  Smart enough to avoid temptation. Smart enough to put ourselves in spiritual intensive care- massive loading doses of Bible study, prayer and church attendance.  We cannot win this fight on  our own.  God has given us the tools to succeed, but we have to avail ourselves to them.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the freedom I have found in Christ.  I am so  grateful for this indescribable gift. Make me  wise, O God, to the enemy's efforts to once again ensnare me.  Help me to stand firm and be unmoved.  Help me to have fruitful time in prayer, Bible study and church attendance.  I acknowledge my dependence on You.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

 

The Cost of Freedom

 

"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." Galatians 5:1

 

Yesterday we celebrated Independence Day in America.  It is a day to celebrate with cook-outs, swimming, fireworks, parades and  fun.  It is a day to remember the birth of our country and the men who fought valiantly to make it free.  It is a day  to remember the men and women who gave of themselves to keep our freedom.  It is often said "freedom isn't free."  That is actually a very profound truth.  Because for some, our freedom cost everything.

 

As Christians, the same holds true.  Our freedom in Christ is not free.  We do not pay for it.  But He paid everything for it.  He gave His position in heaven to come down and walk among men- to be reviled, spit on, beaten and murdered.  He gave up a lot personally when He accepted the weight of sin, on his sinless sacrifice.  He endured the separation from the Father that the sin brought. 

 

Yes, Jesus rose from the dead!  Praise His Name!  Yes, He is now seated at the right hand of the Father where He deserves to be.  But don't forget - never forget- the price He paid to purchase our freedom.

 

I thank God to live in America, a land presently free.  Let us continue to pray, stand and believe that we will remain free.  But know this:  the Word of God, the Church of God, is not bound.  Everything else may pass away and fail, but we are steadfast on the foundation of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing my freedom with your precious blood.  Thank you for the privilege to live in America.  Please God, have mercy on our nation and let us once again be gathered "Under God."   In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Sherri