WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL - WEEK 2
FIND FREEDOM
“FREEDOM BRINGS TRANSFORMATION.”
DAY ONE Have you ever seen any home renovation TV shows? The episodes usually begin with a host and potential home buyers reviewing the buyers’ list of must-have items, budget needs, and location requirements. Next, the buyers visit various houses with the host as they search to find the one with the most potential to fit their needs. The scene unfolds as the buyer opens the door to
shag carpet, and a stale, awful smell. Usually, upon first glance, the house doesn’t have much appeal at all. The buyers look at a few more homes to ensure they’ve explored all of their options. After visiting all the houses, the host discusses the possibilities with the buyers to determine which home has the greatest potential for their needs.
Once that decision is made, the renovations begin. The show demonstrates the grueling process of tearing out the moldy drywall, ripping up carpet, demolishing kitchen counters, and taking a sledgehammer to the cupboards. The work is tiring, time-consuming, overwhelming, and will break the budget, especially if termites are a problem. All the intense labor concludes with satisfying results: a disgusting house turned into a beautiful, welcoming, and refreshing home. The home buyers are handed the keys, and their new life begins.
FREEDOM BRINGS
transformation. THROUGH THAT,
WE SEE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL UNDER THE SURFACE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR WHAT CAN BE.
Why do people enjoy watching the process of transformation? There is no end to the number of television shows with that theme, and people tune in to enjoy. Perhaps, the transformation process is a longing in our hearts that God put in us. Our journey to freedom began the day we received Jesus. Through Christ, we are free. Everything we need to live the life God has planned for us has been given to us through salvation. In John 8:36, Jesus tells the children of Abraham, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
He cleaned up the hideous mess and put a fresh coat of paint on us. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, He gave us the freedom to walk in relationship with Him as His son or daughter. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” When we chose Him, we opened the door and stepped into a beautiful new home. It means our sins are forgiven; God doesn’t remember them anymore. All guilt, condemnation, and shame associated with our past, present, or future sin are no longer a part of who we are. Jesus became the greatest exchange for our sin so we could be free and in a relationship with God. Through this freedom, we’ll experience transformation as we’re no longer held captive by our past.
As you begin this week thinking about what it means to be free in Christ, meditate on the verse below and consider the following: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)
1. What does God want to tell you through this verse? 2. Reread the verse slowly out loud. What word or phrase did God highlight to you? 3. How does God want to apply this truth in your life?
THE SATISFACTION OF LIVING IN THE HERE AND NOW COMES WITH RECEIVING THE INDWELLING
of the Holy Spirit, WHICH ALLOWS US AN OVERFLOWING LIFE ON EARTH AS WE EXPERIENCE TRUTH, TRANSFORMATION, AND FREEDOM.
DAY TWO Demolition days are one of the fascinating parts of home renovation shows. Transformation begins to set the stage of change as destruction occurs. There’s an anticipation of what will become of the home after destroying what needs to be removed. It’s fun to see drywall crumble to the ground after being pounded by sledgehammers. The team’s adrenaline surges as they smash through walls, cabinets, and tile, sporting hard hats, goggles, and gloves to keep them safe. The old is destroyed, so the new can take life.
Jesus came to demolish the works of the enemy. When Christ hung on the cross, He made the most significant exchange for humanity. He took all sin on
purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8 NKJV) Like the drywall on demolition day, Jesus took the old and made it new, and the dead came to life. Jesus loves us so much that He would go to the cross again so that we could be saved and given eternal life.
John 10:10 (NLT) says, “I have come that they may have life, and to have it to the full.”
John 10:10 (NLT) says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus came so that you could have salvation, and because He destroyed the works of the devil, it allows believers to have a full and satisfying life both here and for eternity. The satisfaction of living in the here and now comes with receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which allows us an overflowing life on earth as we experience truth, transformation, and freedom.
Spend some time praying or journaling, and consider the following:
1. What does God need to “demolish” in your life? 2. Think of Jesus on the cross, as He took on the punishment for sin and death so you don’t have to. 3. Thank Jesus for the exchange He made for you on the cross.
DAY THREE Termite infestations can be a huge problem that derails construction on home ent termite species thrive in various habitats, but they’re frequently found inside homes. Some need soil to survive, while others thrive in dry wood above the ground. Termites can be found in walls, bathrooms, furniture, logs, and other wood sources and can wreak havoc in the home building process and cause a lot of damage.
Spiritual strongholds are like termites; they can create havoc and disrupt the process of freedom in our lives, especially if we don’t replace them with the truth. A stronghold is a lie or thought pattern that does not align with the Bible. We must reject thoughts like this, because, if we don’t, they can become a stronghold. The enemy gains a foothold over our behavior, actions, and habits by planting ideas contrary to His Word. Ideas that grow bigger or stronger than the Word of God in our minds create a stronghold. The more we believe the lies of the enemy, the stronger the hold becomes. Strongholds do not remain only in your mind; they will produce fruit that can manifest into defenses we use, like blame, control, busyness, attention-seeking, and so many others.
THE ENEMY GAINS A FOOTHOLD OVER OUR BEHAVIOR, ACTIONS, AND HABITS BY PLANTING IDEAS CONTRARY TO
His Word.
In order to get rid of strongholds, you must believe what God’s Word says about your situation. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV) says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
When you change your beliefs to align with His Word, you will change your actions. We demolish strongholds by getting rid of the lies we believe and replacing them with the truth from the Bible and the very nature of God. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Reread 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and consider the following:
1. What is a lie you have believed? 2. Ask God to show you when it happened and why you believed it. 3. Reread the Word on this subject and discover God’s truth about it.
DON’T BE DISCOURAGED; JESUS CAME TO
destroy the works OF THE ENEMY.
DAY FOUR A good house transformation isn’t just about it being redone but also about all the little things that make it a home. After the major renovations are finished, the owners usually think they’re done for a while. However, more often than not, they soon find something else in the house that needs repair. The new faucet leaks and should be tightened or replaced. The crisp carpet now has a dog slobber stain that requires professionals to come in and clean. The bathtub drain is clogged with hair and could use a Drano treatment. The lawn needs weeding. At some point, the homeowners discover that their dream house still has areas to be repaired, cleaned, and maintained.
It’s similar to being a follower of Jesus. There are areas in our lives that need proper care and maintenance to resist the destruction of the enemy. As Christians, it’s more important to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. Most believers don’t make it their goal to understand the enemy, but, in this area, understanding the devil’s schemes and tactics is essential. This knowledge will help us discover areas where we can be active participants with the Lord in the proper maintenance of our “home.”
The devil is a liar who uses deception, accusation, and temptation to thwart us from the great calling God has on our lives. “The thief comes to steal, and kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10a NIV) Like a leaky faucet needing repair, the enemy uses shame, guilt, or rejection in our past to hold us captive from our future. God wants to do some repair on us as we grow in truth. Maybe we notice pride, greed, anger, bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness inside of us. The more we see, the taller the weed grows in our yard, and the more frustrated we become. Don’t be discouraged; Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy. “For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8 NKJV) Jesus came for us to have a full and abundant life.
“ 1 John 3:8 (NKJV) says, “The Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Reread John 10:10 and consider the following:
LEGALISM GOD SEEMS DISTANT/ANGRY UNWORTHINESS SHAME IMPATIENCE
TRAUMA
PERFECTIONISM
INSECURITY
FEAR UNFORGIVENESS SADNESS/DEPRESSION DIFFICULTY LOVING SELF/OTHERS
REJECTION
PRIDE
CONDEMNATION ADDICTION
GUILT
1. Is there anything on this chart the enemy might be attacking you with? (Circle the top three)
2. After you’ve picked three words, close you eyes and envision each word. Ask God what word He wants you to give to Him. When He’s directed you to a circled word, open your hands, palms up, lift them to God, and give Him that word. After giving Him that word, ask Him what He wants to replace that word with. He may give you a new word, paint a
spirit. Allow Him the time to speak & minister to your heart.
3. Take time to journal, or reflect on this word exchange in a moment of prayer.
DAY FIVE After watching multiple home restoration shows, it’s easy to buy into the lie that a house needs major renovations. From sinks to shiplap, it may seem that a house is behind the current trend or inadequate. However, true happiness and freedom doesn’t come from a store, having a beautiful home, or material goods. It isn’t about what we obtain or the status we achieve. True freedom comes only from Jesus Christ. Being in a relationship with Him is what will satisfy our deepest desires and set us free. Our relationship with God’s Word
My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth comes from the Word of God, as we allow Him to be our source.
Truth isn’t about head knowledge or understanding facts about someone or something. For example, it’s easy to say that we know all about home renovations after watching hundreds of hours of HGTV, but do we really know how to do it? We might have an idea based on what we’ve seen, but we won’t know until we spend months of intense labor demolishing and restoring. The same principle applies to knowing God. We can’t just read the Bible and leave it at
our lives. It’s out of knowing God--having a relationship with Him--that we live and breathe.
TRUE FREEDOM ONLY COMES FROM JESUS CHRIST. BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IS WHAT WILL SATISFY OUR
deepest desires
AND SET US FREE.
When we begin to see everything from God’s perspective, it changes how we think, live, and behave. We can’t live based solely on our own abilities, strengths, talents, or feelings, but instead based upon who God is; His word, character, and the transformation happening on the inside. Trying harder not to sin or desiring freedom apart from Him makes us the source. God must be our source of freedom. When God is our source, He will transform us into His image, character, and likeness. Walking in freedom is a continual process, but He will be faithful in completing the good work He began in us, just as it says in Philippians 1:6 (NIV), “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
“If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 (ESV)
Meditate on John 8:31-32 and consider the following:
1. Can you identify an area in your life where you’ve been your own source to fixing a problem or fulfilling a need or desire? 2. Ask God how you can let it go and allow Him to be the source instead. 3. Listen to His voice, and allow Him to transform the way you think.
HE KNOWS WHERE HE’S BRINGING US, AND WE CAN BE CONFIDENT OF IT, REST IN IT, AND ALLOW HIM TO
show us the way.
DAY SIX Life is full of moments. Moments, sometimes, are large, glaring, and obvious. Other times, moments can pass by without a second thought. Recognizing these moments allows us to stay grounded and present in each of them, exploring what God has for us in them. It’s in these moments that God beautifully speaks to us about our current surroundings, the day’s happenings, or even the things going on inside of us that He wants to renovate and make new. In those moments, when we allow God to speak to us about what’s on His mind, we’ll come to know Him closer, see things from His perspective, and understand the freedom He’s freely given us to walk in. He greatly desires for us to live in the freedom that He came and died for. Today, there is an opportunity to rest and reflect in this halfway moment of our Growth Track journey. You’re invited to recognize the moments you’ve had thus far to listen to His voice, experience His freedom, and take some time thanking God for the process He’s bringing you through.
It’s ok to rest in it. To rest is not to end the path you walk, so long as you stand back up and resolve to continue. But just as it is healthy to reflect on past growth, it is equally valuable to look ahead and expect what’s next. As God brought you this far, He’s faithful to continue bringing you farther. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) says that we can be confident that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He knows where He’s bringing us, and we can be confident of it, rest in it, and allow Him to show us the way.
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 1:6 (NIV)
Consider the following:
1. What are you expecting to see God’s good work do in you over the rest of this Growth Track journey?