Tag: slave to christ

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Day 25 For All My Life

krisshetter 
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.  Mark 8:34-35
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight  Proverbs 3:6

I’ll admit that for almost half of my life I relied on one person to resolve all my problems, to quell my fears, and to help me succeed in life.  Myself.  While I did a decent job of pulling myself up and around by my own boot straps, I also did a bang up job of living a life of stress, anxiety and worry.  When I met my husband, he called me the queen of “woulda, coulda, shoulda.”

In other words, I would regret and worry about every single decision I made.  If I “fixed it” and it didn’t turn out very good then I was also the one to take much of the blame.  I leaned heavily on my own understanding.  The burden became unbearable.  I put the same pressure on friends, family and acquaintances to take on the same responsibility.  When they didn’t, I would look on with annoyance that they weren’t doing life “right.” 

That type of living doesn’t keep quality relationships.  It definitely doesn’t bring joy and love and goodness.  

The study I did this summer on being a slave to Christ (Slave by John MacArthur) has further revealed to me how being owned by Jesus is so much easier than being a slave to a sinful life outside His will.  When we let Him take the lead and shine the light on our paths, we can take a deep breath of fresh air.  We view troubles, challenges or even failures in a different light.

We may not always see our life with Christ as a straight and beautiful path of goodness.  But that’s just the world trying to speak back into us.  As long as we have our eyes always on Jesus it doesn’t matter what seems uncertain.  The North Star is always where it should be even if the road is a bit squiggly.  He will guide you right to Him.

Click here to listen: For All My Life

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized

Day 22 Breathe S&S

krisshetter 
Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  John 20:22
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,and the man became a living being.  Genesis 2:7

I recently finished the book Slave by John MacArthur with an amazing group of women.  It was challenging, convicting and encouraging.  He writes that when the King James version of the Bible was created, the word “slave” was softened to “servant” in many places.  The ancient concept of slavery had evolved and caused people to become averse and sensitive to the word.  

In Greco-Roman times, the average landowner, merchant, trader, politician, etc had their fair share slaves and bondservants.  It was expected and universally accepted.  Those folks performed every task imaginable for households and businesses including being a doctor, shopkeeper, accountant, farmer, maid and more.  It was said that walking the streets of Roman towns you wouldn’t have known the difference between a slave or free person.

Opportunities for a poor person to be able to care for themselves financially were so limited many offered themselves up as slaves so that every need they had would be provided by their owner.  As for the average Roman citizen?  They were “Caesarians” or slaves to Caesar.  Some scholars have proposed that the term “Christian” literally means “slave to Christ.”  

When I listen to this song, which feels so much like a love song, I find myself collapsed in total submission to the Master.  A slave to Christ.  Bought for a hefty price.  Loved and cared for by the Creator.  A Master whom I never fear will treat me badly or forget about me.  This Master has literally given me the breath of life. 

Mr. MacArthur points out that we are all slaves to something.  I prefer to turn my life over and be desperate for the One who breathed a peace in me that goes beyond any understanding.  

Modern, worldly slavery is a terrible human disaster.  Traffickers of people have no care for the people they destroy and toss aside.  To be a slave to God, however, gives life, a life eternal.  Who or what are you desperate to serve each and every day?

Click here to listen to today’s song: Breathe by Shane & Shane