Seven Words That Hold You Captive To This World, And Seven Words That Set You Free
This week we are introducing you to a seven week series based upon my Encounter His Truth Personal Guidebook. We will explore the principle of having “The Mind of Christ.” My blog will enable you to consider your patterns of thinking, what habits keep you wandering in the desert, and which ones hold your life hostage - keeping you from the biblical “Promised Land of Milk and Honey.” Our goal is for you who are weary to find rest and peace.
We will discuss seven concepts that may hinder you from fully experiencing the presence of the Lord. This is followed by seven counterparts that may be your ticket to freedom in Christ! Now look closely at each of these words individually and then together as an acronym for FREEDOM - those that represent the negative in comparison with the positive. Here in acronym form is a summary of the topics we will be exploring
1. Fearful vs. Freedom
2. Rejection vs. Rejoicing
3. Envious vs. Expansion
4. Enslaved vs. Effective
5. Deceived vs. Diligent
6. Obsessed vs. Obedient
7. Misery or Mountaintop
Meditate upon what the Lord speaks to you so that you may apply these principles that can change your life.
Each of the next seven weeks we will consider one of these concepts individually in sequence and how it may relate to your life.
Fearful vs. Freedom ...
What are you afraid of? What causes you fear? What do you believe about God? What do you believe about yourself and others? Are you fearful, or full of faith?
Rejection vs. Rejoicing ...
We will help you to take inventory of your thoughts and feelings about when, where, how, and why you have experienced rejection. There is healing, you know. And soon you will be rejoicing - experiencing freedom found in Christ.
Envious vs. Expansion ...
Do you envy other people and compare yourself to others? Do you find yourself unable to fulfill your own expectations? The Lord wants to expand your understanding of our Savior's love and acceptance. No more jealousy or envy. No more unwise comparisons. Only peace!
Enslaved vs. Effective...
Are you enslaved to destructive patterns of living ... excessive alcohol? Lying? Overeating? Gossiping? Unhealthy sexual thoughts? Adultery? Financial worries?
Or have you instead been captivated by the Lord and set FREE from the chains that have kept you in bondage so that you are now effective in your Christian witness?
Deceived vs. Diligent ...
Have you fallen into the trap of deception? Deception is what it is because people do not recognize that they have been duped. But you can diligently study to show yourself approved unto God and recognize those areas where you may have been trapped by the enemy's lies about our God, about others, and even ourselves!
Obsessed vs. Obedient ...
What do you obsess about? What thoughts hold you captive? Is it a food or dessert, or maybe a TV program, or a bad habit? Are you thinking evil or idolatrous thoughts, or hopefully godly thoughts? The Bible urges us as believers to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit and think on things that are pure, righteous, and holy.
Misery vs. Mountaintop ...
Toward the end of these next few weeks, we will consider influences upon our lives - negative things like gossip, controlling personalities, angry people, some who are busybodies, and some who cause us misery. Hopefully through these weeks of study together the Lord will have brought contentment and taken you to His mountaintop of joy and peace. I hope so. In any case, you'll have the opportunity to replace old habits with His truth about who He says you are! You'll gain the freedom to be all Christ intends you to be. Then we will rejoice together and give glory and honor to Him.
The suffering you have endured will not last when you submit to His will and purpose for your life. Finally, you'll then take a step onto the mountaintop, and you'll rejoice over your new life in Him! Are you ready?
Let's Pray …
Lord, help me to see the value of Your Word and Your way! Lord God, I want to replace the negatives with positives in my life. I need You to help me with my thoughts, desires, and actions. Deliver me from all evil. Let others see Christ in me, for I desire to stay in step with You. Open my heart to receive all You have for me during these next seven weeks, for my heart's cry is to honor and glorify You in all that I say and do. In Your Precious Name I pray, Amen!
Scripture Passages for Study ...
“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original” ~~ Galatians 5:25-26 (MESSAGE)
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” ~~ 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV).
~ Elizabeth Bowman