Freedom For Today

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Luke 17 before reading the devotional below.

Have you ever seen a really good magic trick? The kind that leaves you with that sense of awe and wonder — how did they do it?? I still remember as a child watching David Copperfield make an entire train car disappear with a ring of people holding hands around it. I have seen it a few times since and I am still amazed and perplexed.

Jesus was like this with faith. Unlike a magician, however, he’s trying to give away his secrets. He’s trying to tell his disciples in any way he can what his kingdom is like. But they can’t grasp it. “If you had just a tiny bit of faith, like this tiny seed here…” is like David Copperfield trying to explain a complex card trick to someone like me. Talk slowly and use lots of analogies. His followers had so many questions, and he takes the time to try to answer all of them even though they really cannot comprehend the mystery he is trying to reveal.

Here’s your freedom for today: you don’t have to understand God. In fact, you can’t. Faith and one’s spiritual life inherently contain mystery. When we follow the Spirit deeper, the mystery only becomes greater. If you have doubts or questions or things that don’t make sense, that’s great! We are in far greater spiritual danger when we think we have everything figured out.

• Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Luke 16 before reading the devotional below.

When I read the Bible and in particular the stories of Jesus, I often ask myself why he is saying that specific thing to that specific group at that specific time. Jesus did not come randomly into a point in history — he came with a unique mission at a unique time. Often Jesus’ words, especially to the religious elites, may sound like he is judging or condemning them. But John 3:17 says, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

If Jesus isn’t judging, then what is he doing? He’s saving the world. In today’s chapter, just loud enough to be within earshot of the Pharisees, Jesus warns that money can own you. Slaves need to be set free, and he sees that the Pharisees are slaves to their money. He’s giving them a way out — a path to the God they claim to be after. He’s painting a picture of eternity and longing for them to follow him into it. Devotion to God creates a life in which money cannot control your present or your future.

Here’s your freedom for today: acknowledge your handcuffs. Jesus has the key at the ready, and he came to let us all know that there is so much more than this world has to offer. “You think your life is awesome now? Just wait! Come to my kingdom and I’ll hand you even more.” Our allegiance is what matters, because you can’t follow two roads that lead in exact opposite directions. Be honest with yourself today about the things that own you. Then Jesus can begin to turn your heart towards him if you invite him to do so.

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Luke 15 before viewing today’s video devotional.

Hear a word from Kristen today through this video post. Share it with a friend who you know needs to hear this message: you are valuable!

 

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Luke 14 before reading the devotional below. 

The Christian life is not for everyone. Jesus tells us in this chapter to count the cost of following him. He warns that being his disciple is a hard road and you have to be willing to walk away from a lot. His twelve closest disciples had walked away from their family lives and careers to follow him.

You know who this was easy for? The commoners. The masses. The crowds that followed Jesus around everywhere. When you have nothing to lose, the cost is easy to calculate. These were the thousands that crowded around Jesus and cheered him on when he took on the big shots. They literally had nothing else to do. They needed healing, they had been cast aside by the important people, they had nothing to lose.

You know who this was hard for? The self-reliant. The independent. The elites who had pretty good earthly lives going on. We see this with the story of the rich young ruler as well in Mark 10. When Jesus tells him to sell everything and give it all to the poor, he has a lot of cost-counting to do. And we don’t know which way he landed on that decision.

Here’s your freedom for today: Jesus will not rob you. He will not steal the things you cling to or pry from your hands the things you fear letting go of. Jesus gives you the freedom to count the cost. And as you spend time with him, those things you cling to seem less like obstacles and more like opportunities. He will make a way for you if you decide you want one.

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Luke 13 before reading the devotional below. 

God loves second chances. He loves third chances. He loves 490th chances. And as much as Jesus may seem like he’s being hard on those who count themselves as insiders in God’s club, he really came to earth to give them a second chance. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day knew they were God’s chosen people. Descendant of Abraham? Awesome, you’re in.

But God had already give his special Jewish people chance after chance after chance, and Jesus arrived to set the record straight on God’s priorities. Someone needs healing? Sabbath or not, you take care of that person. You want to be saved? Don’t count on a birthright to get you in. God had spoken to them and cared for them for generations, and Jesus was another turning point moment to call God’s people back to his heart.

You know who Jesus didn’t give a second chance to? All the people who knew nothing about God and had been counted out by the religious elites. He couldn’t give them a second chance because they had never known they had a first chance. Jesus swings the door open for them, and I’d like to think he gave them a little wink every now and then when he ripped into the religious know-it-all’s (verse 17). Jesus is like the big kid on the playground who shows up and scares off the bullies right when you think you don’t have a chance.

Here’s your freedom for today: Jesus is stepping into your life right now to chase away all the people and things that have gotten between you and God. Whether you’ve been following Jesus for 50 years or 50 seconds, stuff has hurt you. You’ve felt far from God at times. Maybe you feel far from God now. But the Holy Spirit is praying for you at this very moment.

Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a tiny seed or a small bit of yeast. Both bring forth life and dramatic opportunity. Plant a seed and nurture it long enough, you’ll get some fruit. Verse 8 tells of a gracious gardener who has just enough faith to stick it out one more year. God’s not done with you yet.