Monday Music is a short (10 min) stop at the beginning of the work week to be guided through a time of scripture, contemplation and prayer. I hope you’re encouraged and strengthened by it. Click the follow button or leave a comment, I’d love to connect! – Seth

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PRAYER

Lord Jesus, set us free from all the things of this world that would want to distract us from You. Set us free from sin and temptation and the power of the devil. Satan desires control and our eyes to be turned from love and truth. Set us free from our selfish desires and release us to sing a song of joy, love, peace, freedom and forgiveness! You are the true freedom and no matter where we live, we are free through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, on our behalf. Amen.

LYRICS

VERSE 1
Joy, joy, unspeakable joy Hope like never before
You came for us You are our freedom

VERSE 2
Love, love, unshakeable love We shall overcome, we will never give up
We lift a shout, we lift a shout everyone singing

CHORUS
Come on, come on now, we’ve got a new song
Come on, come on now, a song of liberty
Let the world hear heaven’s melody
This is the shout of the hearts You’ve set free

VERSE 3
True, true, we know it’s true we stand now, risen with You
You lifted us You are our freedom

VERSE 4
Strong, strong, whatever may come You have already won
We lift a shout, we lift a shout everyone singing

BRIDGE
And we’ll dance, dance dance in Your freedom
Oh, Your glorious freedom forevermore, forevermore

A THOUGHT & SCRIPTURE

Galatians 5:1 – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

John 8:36 – So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

There are so many things in this world that can cause us to be enslaved or lose our freedom: addictions, lust, a demanding job/boss, an abusive spouse, our own poor choices leading to prison, human trafficking, sex slavery, food obsession, health restrictions, disabilities, depression, mental illnesses and many more.

All of these things can become or certainly are chains around us that prevent us from being free or living free.

Sin has caused brokenness in this world and therefore there will always be physical/emotional/spiritual attempts to restrain us while we are on this Earth. There will be revolutions and wars and divisions in order to break those chains and restore freedom. Today, we celebrate one of those Earthly revolutions on the fourth of July.

What about the people still living in chains? The ones who haven’t been freed.

No matter what your “prison” is, there is freedom in Christ. I used to think that was kind of a “cop out” answer. I’d nod my head but think, “Why?? I get it that Christ set me free from sin, but this person or that person isn’t free. They have to endure this trial or that weight of persecution. Where’s the freedom?”

John 16:33, (Jesus says,) “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I have overcome the world. That sounds like freedom to me. Jesus has OVERCOME the world. There’s nothing He can’t do. There’s nowhere He can’t go. There aren’t any chains He can’t break. Bring all of your prayers and concerns to Him and He hears them.

We WILL have trials and chains on this Earth, but Jesus is bigger.

He can calm a disabled person’s heart to still find joy and purpose.

He can rescue a woman from sexual slavery.

He can heal a mental illness holding someone’s mind captive.

He can restore hope to a life-sentenced inmate and give them purpose in Christ.

The suffering does not always fully disappear, but the freedom Christ offers can change the attitude and heart in order to see hope and opportunity.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

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Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

What do we do with this freedom?

Love.

Serve.

Heal.

Restore.

Encourage.

We should not use it for personal gain or to claim more possessions or territories.

On this 4th of July, we thank God for the freedom to worship Him freely, as well as all of the other freedoms our country allows.

I want to recognize that freedom, but more importantly, call us, as followers of Jesus, to use our freedom to know our neighbors. Give instead of request. Love instead of gossip or hold a grudge. Serve rather than receive. Those actions through freedom are the new songs we sing because we are set free through Jesus. It’s a song of true liberty. We are to live as He calls us to live, to proclaim His power in this world and to pour out His love generously.

We’re set free. Through Jesus. For Jesus.

VIDEO – Sing, pray, listen and let God speak to your heart.

*This first video is the only one online of Chris Tomlin leading the song live. It’s iPhone quality, but not horrible. If you want better sound quality, but no video, check out the second link below.

PRAYER

For freedom, you set us free. Through You, we are free indeed. You have given us a new song to sing. The freedom we find in You, Jesus, is overwhelming. Make us agents of Your change, so that more people will be released from the ties that bind them. Grow in us thankful hearts who long to serve You. We are blessed, because You know us and have set us free. We love you. Amen!