BBD 11.11.09 Set Free! (Classic from 2002)
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
(A Devotional Classic from 2002)
Welcome to the 1247 new subscribers since January 1, 2009
11.11.09
Set Free!
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 8:31b-32.
Today (July 4, 2002) the United States celebrates its 226th birthday, which
is a celebration of independence, of having freedom. It is a costly freedom
bought by the fighting of two wars, which were necessary to win it and to
keep it. My ancestors fought in both wars and one died in the War of
Independence. The celebration some two hundred years later is marked with
fireworks and barbeques with over 161 million pounds of fireworks detonated
last year and 60 million or so people taking part in a barbeque. Since
September 11, we have become even more thankful for our freedom and vigilant
in maintaining it.
The desire for nations and people to be free has its roots in the desire for
freedom from the tyranny of sin. We are born into the slavery of sin and
become so used to it that we sometimes are not aware of the chains, which
bind us. But that unawareness is often shattered when we encounter those who
are free. In the early 1800s, Lemuel Norton between sea voyages shared a
bedroom one night with Deacon Weed who prayed before going to bed, "Lord, I
am going to bed with this impenitent sinner." Soon afterwards Norton
received Christ as his Savior and became a preacher of the gospel. It is a
shocking thing to those in the bondage of sin to hear someone share the
truth, of how they were set free through the power of God (Revelation
12:11).
It can be even more shocking for someone in the bonds of sin to expose
themselves to the Word of God allowing the truth to enter their hearts and
minds. Ronnie Byers was close to committing suicide when he finally picked
up and read a Bible opened to Psalm 103:12 which says, "As far as the east
is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." The
truth grabbed hold of Ronnie's heart, which resulted in his repentance,
salvation and reconciliation with his wife. Ronnie eventually became a
preacher of the gospel, he once tried so very hard to ignore.
The truth is not just for lost people. If we are His disciples, we will not
just occasionally pick up a Bible and read a few verses. Instead we will
abide in His Word, and there we will find that the truth indeed has set us
free and will keep us free!
Copyright © 2002 - 2009. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
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