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Liberation From Your Limitations – Part Three
Exodus 14: 26 – 31
“and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore.”
Freed from Egyptian slavery the Israelites walked through the parted waters to freedom by God’s grace. The waters closed against the Egyptians and left their dead bodies on the shore. As they were miraculously set free from bondage you can be set free from habits that enslave you.
What bad habit do you desire to break? There is one you may not have recognized as a bad habit. It is greed. Of it the Scripture says: “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Greed is a cruel master that subtly enslaves us, it holds us captive. It is a bondage that can be and needs to be broken.
Driven by greed we have little time for spiritual things. We have greed for possessions, prestige, and power. This governs our outlook, attitude, schedule, and commitment. It structures our priorities. Greed is an all-consuming sentry which forms a material wall in which to hold us captive from the freedom Jesus affords. Greed has nothing to do with how much you have but with your attitude toward it. It relates to what has you. Insecure people have what others approve of. A confident person isn’t dependent upon things or reliant upon persons. They are at peace with God and at ease with self. Take the greed test.
When you see a beautiful flower do you want to pick it?
When you hear a lovely bird do you want to cage it?
When you notice an attractive person do you want to possess them?
When you see what a friend has, do you always want one?
Are you basically discontent with what you have and jealous of what others have?
Reflect:
“He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house…” (Proverbs 15:27).
“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim. 6:6).
“Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
The byword of a greedy person is, “More is better, but more is never enough.”
If you are materialistic, admit it to God and ask His help in breaking the bond.
Question yourself regarding how greed expresses itself in your life. Set an example of greed related to some matter as a starting point. Take direct action in overcoming this one act. Once you have done so you have a new pattern of action.
Engage God in dealing with this enslaving out. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (I John 5:4).
Liberation From Your Limitations – Part Two
Exodus 14: 26 – 31
Sex is often a dominant slave master. When it becomes a mastering force driving one to be misused it needs to be addressed.
As the Israelites saw the dead bodies of their slave masters on the shore of the sea so you can see your sexual master.
Sex is a dominating force in America. Sex sells. Sexual promiscuity is enslaving of all ages. You can at this time leave the enslaving dead body of inordinate sex on the seashore.
American teenagers become pregnant, give birth, and have abortions at significantly higher rates than teens in other industrialized nations. A recent study conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute also shows that the U.S. is the only developed country where teenage pregnancy has increased in recent years.
The pregnancy rate for Americans ages 15 to 19 is 96 per thousand, compared with 45 in England, 44 in Canada, 43 in France, 35 in Sweden, and 24 per thousand in the Netherlands. The teenage abortion rate for the U.S. is as high as the combined rates for abortion and births in other countries studied.
It is not just teens who are promiscuous. Promiscuity has entered the epidemic stages among all ages. The Biblical view of sexual perversion is that it is sin. Scripture says “the wages of sin is death.” That reference is to spiritual death. However, physically taking the Bible’s view of sexual perversion as sin, it is now bringing forth one of the most insidious forms of physical death. It is a sexually transmitted disease. God is not mocked “whatever a person sows they will reap.” Don’t blame God. It is merely the law of the harvest as applied not to agriculture, but morals.
To tell a person engaged in sexual promiscuity that it is a matter of preference, or is psychological, or physical is to bind that person in hopelessness. To say it is sin and can be forgiven and overcome by the power of God is to offer hope.
Through Jesus Christ you can gain a victory over this slave master and see his dead body on the seashore. It is a struggle unto death. Either this tyrant dies or the Phillips translation of I Timothy 5:6 applies to you: he who “plunges into all the pleasures that the world can give is killing his own soul.”
“It is time to wake up to reality “…Let us therefore fling away the things that men do in the dark, let us arm ourselves for the fight of the day! Let us live cleanly, as in the daylight, not the ‘delights’ of getting drunk or playing with sex. Let us be Christ’s men from head to foot, and give no chances to the flesh to have its fling” (Romans 13: 11 – 14).
Doubtless you know the initial impulse that leads to your sexual sin. Turn from the first step that leads to immorality. By way of illustration: “If you are not going in the house stay off the porch.” Control the impulse or it will control you.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 13: 10)
Liberation From Your Limitations – Part One
Exodus 14: 26 – 31
“and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore.”
Jesus is in the recycling, refurbishing, renewing business. Graphically it is described: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (II Cor. 5:17).
A historical illustration of this involved the Israelites being delivered from Egyptian slavery. By the authoritative power of heaven, the Lord God Jehovah had parted the waters of the Red Sea and let them cross on dry land. The waters were released to flow in their normal course when the Egyptians pursued. The inundating waters drowned the tyrannical Egyptian slave masters. When the waters were calmly flowing in their natural channel, the Israelites went back down to the shore and our text tells the story of what they found: “Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore.”
Can you imagine? These well-trained, strong bodies still in their impressive uniforms represent the greatest national power on earth. It must have been strange to walk so near to the lifeless body of a guard who had beaten you; a soldier who had taunted you, and a warrior who had struck terror in your heart at the very thought of him. The very ones who had held them as captive slaves, their masters, were now lifeless, powerless — dead.
Preceding this experience, the Lord had given the people instruction as to what to do. “Speak to my people that they go forward.” They did obediently and this victory resulted.
Today Jesus Christ wants to set people free from enslaving habits. He wants you to see the dead body of the guard that has held you as a captive slave. You need to envision your enslaving tormentor as “dead on the seashore.”
Follow these steps. Think descriptively of the habit that masters you. If there is a negative controlling influence in your life, think in detail about what the controlling force is doing to you.
Next, decide if you want to break the enslaving force. Do you genuinely want to be free from it?
If so, get alone with the Lord. With all the shame and regret of it, tell the Lord about it as if He does not know of it.
Now, ask Him to guide your efforts to be made in His name to break the bondage of your habit. See that habit as dead on the shore.
“…put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4: 22 – 24).
What Me Worry?
“Worry is practical atheism and an affront to God,” New Testament scholar R. H Mounce said. Harsh sounding isn’t it? Thinking about worry might very well lead to that conclusion. It is a way of demonstrably saying God isn’t who the Bible says He is and He can’t do what He has promised to do. It indicates we think our problem is bigger than His promises.
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Do you believe that, really believe it? If so, you know there is no place for worry. Concern when married with confidence in God as a capable promise keeper gives peace, not worry.
Pastor Rick Warren opined, “ Worry is the warning light that God is not really first in my life at this particular moment because worry says that God is not big enough to handle my troubles.”
Consider the instruction given in Scripture, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself…” (Psalm 37: 7). Do you believe that? If so, respond so.
Think about your tendency to worry in light of this research.
40% never happens
30% concerns the past
12% are needless worries regarding our health
10% are about petty issues
8% are legitimate concerns.
That means 92% of our “worry time” is wasted energy. Scripture teaches that we should not even worry about the 8%.
We must not be flippant about concerning conditions, adverse actions, perplexing problems, difficult decisions, overt obstacles, and numerous needs to be met. These often require persistent prayerfulness, proper planning, contemplation, study, research, and council. All of this should be addressed calmly, confidently, and contentedly. God knows who you are, where you are, why you need His help, and how to help you. He has the love, wisdom, and ability to meet your needs. Don’t complain or worry if you have to give God time to be God. Remember, “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30: 8).
“… those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40: 31).
An anxious person asked God, “Why do you so often lead me into deep water?” God said, “Because your enemies can’t swim.”
We have reason to say, “O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. O Lord, I am calling to you” (Psalm 59: 17). Do it and don’t worry.
Worry Is Worthless – Part Four
There are antidotes for worry offered in Scripture. Apply them.
Work is a wonderful antidote. It is great therapy. Jesus appealed to His listeners to “Look at the birds of the air….” If He watches out for the sparrow, doesn’t it make sense that He will watch out for you? Watch that little sparrow over which He is watching. He allows the sparrow to scratch. We too must develop a good work ethic. Cultivate good work habits. Get up early and get going with enthusiasm. Be refreshed by experiencing a new day dawning. Let your mind be bathed in the joy of a new day’s birth.
God spends more on bird food each year than our national debt. If He is going to provide for the world’s bird population, which is estimated to be over 100 billion, He is going to take care of you.
“Consider the lilies….” Christ takes care of them. They are in harmony with their environment. Put aside the idea you are Atlas and therefore responsible for carrying the world on your back.
Resign as Vice President in charge of the world’s affairs. Commit yourself and your work to Christ. Master the plan of developing the proper attitude. Who talked you into not liking your work? You did. Now talk yourself into appreciating the fact you have a job and commit yourself to Christ in it.
Plan your work and work your plan. That is far better and much more productive than worrying.
Worship is an aid for overcoming worry. “Seek first the kingdom of God…”
Don’t even consider the kingdom of God if you don’t intend to seek it first. Where there is a kingdom there is a king. Don’t dare contemplate the kingdom unless you intend to make King Jesus the ruler in your life.
“O worship the King all glorious above, and gratefully sing of His wonderful love.”
Food and clothes are important, but pale in importance when compared to the vitality of Christ as Master in your life. When He is, you are so secure you can live without labels. You can be confident and survive without brand names. Your composure and serenity comes from what is within, not what from what is on you.
Worry, in effect says, “You lied, God.”
Wait on the Lord, run not before Him. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow….”
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
“Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7)