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Thomas Richmond

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Free To Serve_ Galatians 5:13 and 1 Timothy 3:14-16-prayer
7/6/2007 11:40:23 AM

“For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

What will you use your freedom for?It’s an important question, since one of the greatest things about being born again is the freedom that comes from the Spirit of God. “And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

In Christ we have been set free from the power and the penalty of sin, free from trying to earn God’s favor, free from the insatiable need to please ourselves, and free to know the truth.Even though we may not be aware of all these freedoms, they are nonetheless true and available to each of us by faith.

But the question Paul addressed in Galatians is what we use this freedom for.He suggests that we use this freedom to lovingly serve each other.

Notice the things we have been set free from, they all revolve around the self. Think about it.Most of us have spent the better part of our lives getting all the attention.Even the guilt, self-pity, and regret we love to wallow in are all about us. Imagine freeing up the thinking time we put into self-indulgence – feeling guilty, judging others to feel better by comparison, and figuring out how to please our selfish desires – and imagine spending that time on someone else.

First you will need to remind yourself of your freedom in Christ because forgetting that is what gets us stuck in the first place.Then use that freed-up time to identify with what someone else is going through and plan how you can serve him or her.

If being free to serve sounds like an oxymoron, it’s only because we have all become so used to being in bondage we can’t imagine being free.But free to serve is what we were meant to be.It’s how we become useful to God.

Next time you catch yourself absorbed in you-know-who, stop and think about what you can do for someone around you.Remember your freedom in Christ and spend it on others.Think about what their needs might be – ask them, if you don’t know – and serve them in love. It’s time for someone else to get our attention for a change.  Enjoy your day my friends! Peace...

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Diane Bjorling

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Re: Free To Serve_ Galatians 5:13
7/6/2007 12:13:20 PM

Dear Thomas:

Your post caught my eye and I have to tell you that this was very well put.  You have hit the nail on the head..to serve and to give in love to others for no other purpose than to just give..not to see what we can get out of it or what we can gain from it..now that is the walking the path..talking the path. To think and act selflessly is the highest gift we can give and in truth is what the Creator meant for us to be.

Well done!

Peace and Light to you my friend.

Diane

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Thomas Richmond

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Re: Free To Serve_ Galatians 5:13
7/6/2007 12:56:05 PM

Well good day Diane, thank you for your comments. Just a reminder of one of my goals. Thanks again and enjoy your day my friend!

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Podo Pierre

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Re: Free To Served Galatians 5:13
7/6/2007 1:04:16 PM

Dear Thomas,

the freedom we received from Christ is truly an inspiration of love as you have just noted in your citations. I am proud to tell you a short story about how I burnt  this freedom many years ago.

Many years ago I was very ill and spent over 2 months in a hospital , but had to return home because the Medical doctors couldn´t do much.  A Christian friend visited me and gave me a book to read with the scriptures . He told me to live in the freedom  which Christ had created for us. Free from all ailments and sickness.

In the cause of praying ,singing and reading the scriptures, I become fully healed within 48hours. I didn´t need the series of medical assistance and medication to get well. A few days later. I realized that I had gained a miraculous healing power, which enabled me to heal many people. Even the dying ,and some completely rejected by the hospital fully recovered.

Just to conclude on this important text , which I appreciate so much, I failed to identity the author of this spiritual freedom which guides all humanity. I probably used this Freedom to satisfy self pride and authority. I took the credits to myself and forget to identify this freedom and power from Christ in a honorable way.

THE RESULT WAS CATASTROPHIC. (I TELL YOU  NEXT TIME). But the truth is that I lost everything. Whenever  I healed someone, I became ill and had to do a lot of prayers to recover again. I failed to become useful to God, and to others in a manner acceptable to the spirit and the will of God. Today I try to be what I am meant to be before God and Man. Born Again in the Spirit and with a leverage of Gods permanent Love.

As you rightly said, its time for someone to get our attention. Now is the time.

Pierre Louma

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Thomas Richmond

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Re: Free To Served Galatians 5:13
7/6/2007 1:15:23 PM

To my very good online friend/brother Pierre, you must tell me more of your story , maybe a PM? If we "Believers" do what is right and hold on to the truth, James 1:22 and Psalm 119:9 and read 1 Peter 5:5 amongst a few more that i can add we will see what God has in store for us more quickly.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 " Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

AT YOUR SERVICE. Drop A Line With The Pros!! http://www.goneclicking.com/?rid=7178 http://www.protrafficshop.com/?rid=5719 Chief Administrator & Support
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