Our broken life is the black backdrop against which the bright jewels of Gods mercy and gracious salvation are displayed. (Life Recovery Bible)
Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.
But then God our savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:3-5 NLT)
The idea today of slavery is far from our thoughts. We dont see it, we dont hear about it, we dont think about it. The subject of slavery is ancient history and what we know of it comes from our textbooks and educational studies. But the truth is that many of us can be held captive and become slaves to all sorts of things. I remember times when I held jobs that I hated. I dreaded going to work every day, and I remember getting sick to my stomach when I first woke up because of the stress I was under. The problem was that I was tied to the job and could not afford to leave, and working everyday I did not have time to look for another job. I was a slave! Many of us possibly have dragged on for years in life styles and living conditions that we did not enjoy, but we all will come to turning points in our lives where because of situations and circumstances we become headed in new directions. As I look back over the times of my life when I considered myself a slave, I realize that the main chain that held me in slavery was my attitude. Twenty years ago I had a Sunday school named Mr. Frisk. I remember him explaining how important attitude is. He said that mornings when we have to go to work, when the alarm clock goes off, we find ourselves groaning in the spirit at the task that lies ahead of us. But take the same time of day on a Saturday morning, when we dont have to go to work, we will rise before the alarm even goes off, and be all cheerfully and full of happiness. Whats the difference? The difference is our attitude. In my own life I can remember the dread of facing work and how I would smoke a joint to ease the stress of the day. Little did I know that what was going on was that I was becoming a slave to something else with consciences far greater. Over the years the joint before work, and the booze after work, became the normal day for me. What happened was that I was a slave to the job so that I could afford to be a slave to the drugs and alcohol. It was double bondage. But then God my savior showed me his kindness and love. He saved me, not because of the good things I did, but because of his mercy. As I paraphrase the words of the apostle Paul I find three simple words But then God, to be the turning point in my life. Today I know that situations and circumstances will change, but as long as my attitude maintains a conscious contact with God, God will set me free and do for me what I could not do for myself .JRE
As we share our message, let us never forget the following truths: We were once a slave, just as others are today. Our heart was filled with the confusion and painful emotions that others still feel. We were saved because of the love and kindness of God, not because we were good enough. We must also remember that we can stay free because God is with us, upholding us every step of the way.
(The Life Recovery Bible, page 1483)
Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us.
But then God our savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:3-5 NLT)
The idea today of slavery is far from our thoughts. We dont see it, we dont hear about it, we dont think about it. The subject of slavery is ancient history and what we know of it comes from our textbooks and educational studies. But the truth is that many of us can be held captive and become slaves to all sorts of things. I remember times when I held jobs that I hated. I dreaded going to work every day, and I remember getting sick to my stomach when I first woke up because of the stress I was under. The problem was that I was tied to the job and could not afford to leave, and working everyday I did not have time to look for another job. I was a slave! Many of us possibly have dragged on for years in life styles and living conditions that we did not enjoy, but we all will come to turning points in our lives where because of situations and circumstances we become headed in new directions. As I look back over the times of my life when I considered myself a slave, I realize that the main chain that held me in slavery was my attitude. Twenty years ago I had a Sunday school named Mr. Frisk. I remember him explaining how important attitude is. He said that mornings when we have to go to work, when the alarm clock goes off, we find ourselves groaning in the spirit at the task that lies ahead of us. But take the same time of day on a Saturday morning, when we dont have to go to work, we will rise before the alarm even goes off, and be all cheerfully and full of happiness. Whats the difference? The difference is our attitude. In my own life I can remember the dread of facing work and how I would smoke a joint to ease the stress of the day. Little did I know that what was going on was that I was becoming a slave to something else with consciences far greater. Over the years the joint before work, and the booze after work, became the normal day for me. What happened was that I was a slave to the job so that I could afford to be a slave to the drugs and alcohol. It was double bondage. But then God my savior showed me his kindness and love. He saved me, not because of the good things I did, but because of his mercy. As I paraphrase the words of the apostle Paul I find three simple words But then God, to be the turning point in my life. Today I know that situations and circumstances will change, but as long as my attitude maintains a conscious contact with God, God will set me free and do for me what I could not do for myself .JRE
As we share our message, let us never forget the following truths: We were once a slave, just as others are today. Our heart was filled with the confusion and painful emotions that others still feel. We were saved because of the love and kindness of God, not because we were good enough. We must also remember that we can stay free because God is with us, upholding us every step of the way.
(The Life Recovery Bible, page 1483)
