Newsboys

So, all night last night I couldn't sleep. I felt like I was Eli Stone. This song kept running through my head.... I like the song and all, but all. night. long?

I Am Free
Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams, I am free!
I am free to run (I am free to run)
I am free to dance (I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)
I am free (I am free)
Chorus: I am free I am free
I am free to run (I am free to run)
I am free to dance (I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)
I am free (I am free)
Yes I am free

So, then this morning I got up and did my devotions. This is the verse I journaled on:

S - Galatians 2:12&13 When he first arrived he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But, afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hyprocisy.

O- Peter fell for the belief that the law should still be kept even though it was no longer necessary to be circumcised in the flesh. He had a bit of fear of criticism from his fellow Jews who felt it was necessary. As a result of his fear, others - even Barnabas - ones who were younger in the faith - were led astray.

A - It never ceases to amaze me to see how our fears and insecurities can affect others faith. I don't think Peter had a big moral failing as a Christian. I think, when faced with his peers, he was confronted with his own fears. What IF circumcision really did matter? He no doubt did not intend to lead others astray. He most likely was confronted with his own background and tradition of years of living as a Jew clashing with his new found faith in Christ.
For us, it is the same. MANY things in the body of Christ today are a result of this same clash of worlds. TRADITION often wins over relationship. I wonder how many young believers are led astray because of our own fears and insecurites of not measuring up to what our past dictates we should be or do. I wonder how many relationships are bound up because of the strings of religion we have wrapped them in.

P - Father thank you for using your Word to reveal this sin in my life. let me never forget that through You I AM FREE. Your word says that it is better for a man to have a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than to cause a young one to sin. God, if my own fears or traditions have caused any young believer to sin, then I ask your forgiveness right now. God, would you set them free? And would you forgive me? Lord, guard my mouth, that I would not speak one word that would lead another to think that a love relationship with you is not enough. Guard my heart to always let relationship trump rules. Thank you for your freedom extended to me in love. Amen.

Comments

Anonymous said…
WOW! Tina, what an awesome SOAP! I have thought about that in my own life, but aslo as it applies to the church... I can just hear those messengers from God now, saying...FEAR NOT!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:24:00 PM
Ann said…
This makes me think of what I was learning about in precepts. Isaiah 2:22 "Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?" WOW. And the part about a love relationship with the Lord being enough really speaks to me. I'm really starting to understand just how important it is to KNOW God, not just go through the motions of attending church and tithing, etc. but to know Him and have a relationship with Him. Awesome post, T!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:35:00 PM
Ann said…
By the way, your new template is really cool, TINA! :)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 1:37:00 PM
Tina said…
Hey thanks Ann... I am not done with the template. I don't quite like it yet. I just followed blogspots stuff and added things.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 6:01:00 PM
Heth said…
Good stuff there Tina....
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:48:00 PM
His Girl said…
totally love the newsboys! rocked out as the oldest person at the entire concert once and loved every minute

great devotion!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:23:00 AM
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