Living in Freedom, Serving in Love

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.

—Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling me to live in the freedom that was bought for me by the redeeming sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, for my sin.

Help me never forget that the freedom that was purchased with the blood of Christ was not freedom to sin, but a freedom from sin’s power to control my life.

Help me to understand that there is no “freedom” in the suggestion that I have freedom to sin.  It is a lie from Satan designed to enslave me to himself, to others, and to my own sinful nature—making me a participant in his plans to kill, steal and destroy.

Therefore, help me glorify You, and the work of Christ in me before others—by exercising my freedom to do what is right in loving service to both my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to those who are lost and enslaved by their sin.

Thank You for calling me to live in the freedom that was bought for me by the redeeming sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, for my sin.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

What My Conduct Shows

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.  They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

—Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to consider the way I conduct myself in life here on earth—that I might not ever be found to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.

You have given me the opportunity to embrace everything that the cross of Christ has purchased for me—so may I never find myself foolishly and thoughtlessly turning down a path that brings sure destruction to my joy, peace, purpose and even my very life.

Help me never to allow an appetite for the deceitful pleasures of this world to rule over me—never allow the desires of my flesh to become an idol—by serving my own will, seeking to satisfy my own lust for more, as I chase after my own plans, submit myself to my own desires, and make them the object of my worship.

I don’t want to be that guy who, being so deceived, brags about his sin, as if it were not sin at all—or the one who admits there is sin in his life, but makes light of the sin, as if it were not a stench in the nostrils of a Holy God.

Help me control my thoughts, so that they are not consumed with the pursuit of the ultimately empty and unsatisfying things of this life—but keep me spiritually minded, so I don’t miss the fullness of life that was purchased and freely offered to me in Christ.

Help me to be continually conscious of how I am living, that I would submit my will to Your will, resist temptation and flee from sin, and seek—with my whole heart—that life which is hidden in Christ.

Help me to consider the way I conduct myself in life here on earth—that I might not ever be found to be an enemy of the cross of Christ.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

The Great Honor That Is Mine

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

—Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

Gracious God,

Thank You for the great privilege to be able to come before You in prayer.

I never want to take for granted the great honor that is mine, as I come to You to pray—not as a subject of the King, but as a beloved child of the King.

Let me forever be awestruck by the free gift of salvation that was purchased for me by the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son—which opened up the way for me to boldly approach Your throne and be welcomed into Your Presence.

Because of that honor, I want to take seriously the time that I spend in prayer and not allow the distractions of this life—or the weariness of my mind and body—to dilute my focus on You.

I always want to approach You with a heart that is running over with gratitude—at having been saved from sin and filled with Your everlasting love, mercy and grace.

Thank You for the great privilege to be able to come before You in prayer.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.