Live Free . . . Make Each Summer Day Count

Circumstances can be oppressive . . . challenging our health, finances, a job, meaningful relationships . . .  and other things that matter.  The thing is . . . when we invite Christ into these areas of life . . .the  grip of oppression is released . . . and we become new.  In our newness, we are able to move forward on a pathway of restoration, opening ourselves to what more God has for us. 

How do we begin? We trust God for everything, including the air we breathe.  God is the source of life; however, it can seem that life depends on the outcome of our circumstances.  Of course, it is a daily conscious choice to trust God for everything about our life. Now, I am the first to admit that life seems better when circumstances are free of problems and pressures. In fact, most of us work diligently to keep out of difficult circumstances once we move through a challenging life experience.  The thing is . . . circumstances, good and bad, are seasonal. . . . in other words, they come and go.  

Whether or not circumstances have power is our choice.

That said, God intends for us to live in freedom regardless of circumstances.  In Luke 4 . . .  Jesus revealed that we are free . . .  quoting Isaiah with powerful words:

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

        Because the LORD has anointed me

        To bring good news to the afflicted;

        He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

        To proclaim liberty to captives

        And freedom to prisoners; (Isaiah 61:1)

Christ takes us to the place of complete freedom. To experience the freedom of Christ we need to surrender all . . .  the pressure . . . the power . . . and the fear of difficult circumstances.  Total freedom is only experienced when everything is surrendered. While some people interpret the act of surrender as living  by a set of rigid rules,  total freedom is experienced through inviting Christ into the areas that grip our mind, heart, and soul.

Why?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  (2 Corinthians 3:17)

 Live free. 
Believe Christ will free you from whatever takes you captive and make each summer day count. 
Trust Christ to free you from oppressive circumstances.
Surrender.
Experience the release of the grip of oppression. 

Learning with you to KICK START live free,

Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/