Dear Ones,
Hope you are enjoying this day! The house is full of aroma as I made a meat loaf dinner. I also went downstairs for Donut Day Al had Men’s Bible study this morning and will be leading Bible study here afternoon. Tonight is also Women’s Bible Study at church.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We were meant to live free and freedom originates with God. It is God’s presence that establishes our freedom. Christian freedom is meant to be lived out and today we see people fighting and willing to die for their freedom. But the greatest dangers to freedom comes within our own hearts as we struggle with addictions and the gods of this world.
Peter van Breemen writes about freedom in “The God Who Won’t Let Go”, and shares how the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, the place of slavery, and liberated them. (Exodus 20:2) God wants us all to become free, so He gave us the 10 Commandments, which Breeman calls “The Magna Carta of Freedom”.
The first commandment has to do with being free if we let God be God and we trust and worship Him. Then everything else will fall into place for our priorities will be right.
The second commandment says we will be free if trust the name of God. We can’t confine or capture God into an image but rather encounter Him as our living God.
The third commandment we are to keep the sabbath holy. The most important thing is our relationship to God for our life is not defined by our achievements.   We need to take time to enjoy a sabbath rest in the Lord and not worry about our accomplishments.
The fourth commandment to honor our father and mother, says we will have a long life if we honor our parents and are grateful for what they gave us. We cannot be totally free if we don’t accept our parents and reconcile with them.
The fifth commandment says we should not kill but accept the life of others as a gift. We are not to compare ourselves with others and try to outdo them but rather to find the treasure within them. Envy brings ruin to our spiritual life.
The sixth commandment says we should not commit adultery and that means we love people without taking advantage of them.  We are to give others respect and not use them for our own ends.
The seventh commandment says we should not steal. We walk in freedom if we appreciate the gifts and possessions of others without envy. We must be willing to let go of things and not become possessed by them.
The eighth commandment is not to bear false witness against our neighbor. That means we are truthful and sincere and transparent with them which makes for freedom.
The ninth commandment is not to covet our neighbor’s wife. We must not become preoccupied with relationships and impose ourselves on others or we destroy that gift of friendship.
The tenth commandment is not to covet our neighbor’s house or anything that is his. We are free when we are content and not obsessed to possess what others have.
We are all called to freedom but let us not become enslaved to the things of the world but live today and everyday freely serving the Lord. 
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you areas you are not yet experiencing freedom and ask for His help.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy