Tag: Freedom

Biblical synagogue, Jesus healing bent woman
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 4

The Woman with a Spirit of Infirmity

Posted on by MaryEllen

adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, volume 4/pp95-96

Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-17 and Romans 5:20

The women with a spirit of infimity serves as an example of what Christ has brought us from.

She, volume 4/p96

He Touched Me

Since I’ve met this blessed Savior
Since He’s cleansed and made me whole
Oh, I will never cease to praise Him
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls

Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me ~ and made me whole

Shackled by a heavy burden
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same

He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me ~ and made me whole

I do not remember how old I was, but I do remember where I was and who I was with when I first remember hearing this song. I was most likely between the ages of 10 and 12, sitting on the piano bench with my grandmother while she was playing and singing. Whether it was her singing or her playing that caused the song to grab my attention and my heart, I do not know – I only know that it captivated me. Little did I know just how much it would define my life and soul until nearly two decades later, when Jesus began calling/leading me out of “the wilderness”… out of the muck and mire of my own load of guilt and shame of sin that ensnared me. Bill Gaither could have written no truer words to describe this time/season of my life than the ones he penned in the chorus of this song: “Something wonderful happened, and now I know – He touched me and made me whole.”

 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

Luke 13:10-13 NLT

Needless to say, I can so imagine this woman with the infirmity hearing Jesus call her to come, and how she must have felt when she heard the words of healing and experienced the compassion that followed: ‘Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!’ “Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight!” Can you just imagine how she must have felt? Oh, the joy that must have flooded her soul! For not only had Jesus seen her, but He called her to Him, spoke healing over her, and then He touched her and made her whole! She was no longer crippled and bound by the power of the demon, but set free ~ standing straight and glorifying God.”

… And now I am no longer the same

Friends, as today’s study journal points out, “We were all bound in sin before we met Jesus.” I’m here to tell you, sadly from experience, we must be careful after we meet Him, lest we become caught up in those chains again. This is why Paul warns believers to “be alert, because our enemy, the devil, prowls around looking for someone to devour.” Satan can never take us from God, but he wants nothing more than to cripple us, binding us up in the mindset and chains of this world. Remember, though, when we belong to Jesus, we have been set free from the chains of sin and death, and Satan no longer has authority over us.

Satan has no authority here in this place; he has no authority here! For this habitation was fashioned by the Lord, and He has all authority here 💜

Reflection and Application

The More We Know

In His rebuttal to the angry ruler of the synagogue, commentator David Guzik writes, “Jesus did not respond with gentleness.” Instead, He called the ruler a “Hypocrite!” Guzik continues, “With authority, Jesus confronted the ruler of the synagogue who valued extreme extensions of Biblical commands more than the compassionate and life-changing power of Jesus to heal a long-afflicted woman.”

The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound; think of it; for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

(Luke 13:15-17)


“Jesus gave several compelling reasons why it was appropriate to show her mercy, and more appropriate than helping a distressed animal.” The first two reasons centered on the ruler himself:

Hypocrite! “Jesus did not respond with gentleness,” but “With authority he confronted the ruler of the synagogue who valued extreme extensions of Biblical commands more than the compassionate and life-changing power of Jesus to heal a long-afflicted woman.”

i. “Thou hypocrite to pretend zeal for God’s glory, when it is only the workings of thy malicious, unfeeling, and uncharitable heart.” (Clarke)

b. Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? Jesus’ reply was simple. If you can help an animal on the Sabbath, why can’t you also help a suffering person on the Sabbath?

…and then the last four, in compassionate defense of the woman:

· She was a woman – made in the image of God and now long-afflicted

· She was a daughter of Abraham, a Jewish woman, with a covenant connection to Abraham. This may also indicate that she was a woman of faith, as well as her attendance at synagogue.

· She was one whom Satan had bound, and every day is a good day to oppose the work of Satan and to set free his captives.

· She was afflicted for eighteen years, long enough to suffer greatly and to draw forth the compassion of Jesus and others.

Posted in From the Insideout

Fear was My Captor

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Fear was my nemesis for years, and still can be if I’m not careful and alert to its cunning ways. Fear of health issues, not that they would “hurt” me but of how they would effect my family … Fear of death, not of dying but of leaving my children without a mother. Fear of people, not of physical harm but of hurtful opinions, words, or actions. Fear of self, of failing others or disappointing God, fear of my past and of the future … you name it – I probably feared it. Fear is a captor like no other! It’s personal and crippling, even deadly if we don’t find the keys that loosen the captor’s grip.

I wasn’t an anxious child growing up. Don’t get me wrong – my brothers knew how to sneak up behind me and scare me. Snakes and spiders scared me but not life or people. I grew up in a safe small town where I was allowed to run and play in the neighborhood, ride my bike, or walk blocks to my friend’s house, school, piano practice, the library or the pool with friends or by myself. Long before cell phones came along I often walked alone and unafraid. Somewhere along the way, after I was grown and married, that changed and fear entered my life and eventually took hold of me.

God’s promises, love, and presence rescued me from fear’s tight grip.

I can look back now and see the fingerprints of God. He knew one day fear would become my captor and He began to prepare me for that day. All those years going to church – God had a plan. Sunday school lessons and Bible drills – God had a plan. My high school years in a Christian school where memorizing Scripture (thanks to Mrs. Hall) played a big part – God had a plan. Scripture memory resurfaced in my life years later with a friend from church who asked me to be her “memory partner” – God had a plan. How do I know He had a plan? Because, the Scriptures and many of the verses I had read or put to memory became keys that would one day unlock the captor’s hold on me. One of those verses, the first to loosen the chains, came from the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You 💜 (Isaiah 26:3). The second key was just as powerful – Don’t be anxious about any thing but by prayer and petition present your request to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus … Philippians 4:6-7 🙌 God had been weaponizing me for the day of battle, preparing me to stand firm with the belt of truth securely in place.

What about you?

Is the grip of fear tightening around you? Perhaps it already has you bound by its fingers of anxiety, distress, and desperation … hurry to God’s Word – listen for His voice – hear Him say: “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isa 41:10). Look at the blood stained cross and the empty tomb, recall the depth of His love and the reality of His promises and rest in Him regardless of what fear is telling you – “Be still and know that He is God” (Isa 46.10).

Me from the InsideOut 💕

Other keys: prayer … walking … a trusted friend … helping or serving others … learning trigger points … an awareness of the enemy, he’s real and he’s armed and dangerous! … Scripture/Gospel centered music … an Arsenal of Scripture combatting fear (start with Philippians 4:4-8) – written on cards or memorized and hidden in your heart …

Want more help on conquering fear checkout this devotional by David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/magazine/daily-devotional?date=2022-02-12&tid=email_edevo-wknd-021222

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Bible Study: Truth Over Lies – A Love God Greatly Bible Study

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The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy- and he does it with lies or misconfigurations of God’s truths. Join me as we journey through this LOVE GOD GREATLY study and learn how to overcome the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word. It’s the difference between bondage to the world and freedom in Christ.

You’ll find everything you need for the study right here M-F beginning Monday, September 13.

For blogs and a Love God Greatly Journal, you can click on the link below –

https://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg/truth-over-lies-study-journal-english/

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

IN JESUS YOU ARE … FREE!

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Week 2, Day 3

READ: JOHN 8:36; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17; SOAP: JOHN 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.-

John 8:36 NLT

Reflection Questions:

  • How has Christ given you freedom?
  • What are you free from today that you were not free from before you were walking with Christ?

In Jesus our identity is transformed from slave to son.

– Read the full devotional

Don’t forget to check out the Love God Greatly Blog

YOUR TURN – WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM TODAY’S READING? Reply below

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Shame Breaker, Week 1 Tuesday – God Removes Our Guilt

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Today’s Scripture – Psalm 103:12-13 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 103:12-13)

He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Today’s Blog Post

If you would like to continue following this four-week study and other posts from the Nsideout sign-up below

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

With Sin Comes Shame

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The Man and Woman Sin

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Genesis 3:1-7

Eve knew the truth of what God had said and until that day she had obeyed and enjoyed the ‘rich and satisfying life’, God had given them. But she ALLOWED the doubt/lie that the serpent planted to taint and change her perception – of what we can only imagine was fruit she had seen many times before. Her changed perception changed her action. She chose desire over obedience and her altered action affected Adam (and every other human since), and they knew not only good, as before, but now also evil – and sadly the shame that came with it – shame that made them hide from God. Shame that altered their lives forever. And, shame that can still taunt us when we choose to live in sin.

Father, help us to be self-controlled and alert, aware that the enemy is looking for someone to devour. Help us to not get distracted by the things that are pleasing to the eye or more desirable than obeying you. When he comes to us with doubts and lies help us stand firm and resist him – for Your Word says that “if we resist the devil he will flee from us”.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Christ came to GIVE us a rich and satisfying life, a life of freedom from the effects of sin– this is a stark contrast to the enemy’s purpose to TAKE our life and freedom away from us! We must learn to stand firm in the TRUTHS that we know.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Galatians 5:1

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10

Posted in Bible study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Malachi 4:2-3 … Leaping for Joy

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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 4:1-3

The Coming Day of Judgment

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and then read it again only to say – huh? Sometimes you just have to use a commentary or call someone smarter than you. I opted for a commentary with today’s passage from Malachi, and before I finish this I won’t be surprised if I need to call someone. .

Reading through several trusted commentaries I learned that the phrase – “The sun of Righteousness” in verse 1 typically refers to the coming Messiah. I reread that first verse and the phrase “healing in His wings” jumped off the page, revealing, yet again, the HOPE that comes from being in Christ – belonging to God. Reading on through verse 2 with this fresh awareness I found myself smiling at the scene – where, in stark contrast to the wicked, described in verse 1 as being consumed — roots, branches, and all – we, who fear His name, are set free – “leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture”. As I mulled this one over – I was reminded of one of my favorite verses “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free …” Now, I don’t know if a Bible scholar would put these two verses together in any way, but for me, one highlights the other – for I am no longer bound or held captive by the law of sin and death instead, I live in freedom because the Messiah came to set me free. Oh, how I love when the Old Testament meets the New Testament, or visa versus, and defines its or at least shines a light on it.

The next part is still puzzling to me, but what I did notice was the description of God as – “the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” is the same reference of hope that the Psalmist used in our reading from Psalm 46 on Friday. Remember? He was referenced as being “on our side”. This picture goes with the commentary I found in my NIV study Bible for Malachi, that says –

“These last verses of the Old Testament are filled with hope. Regardless of how life looks now, God controls the future, and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future becomes ours when we have trusted God with our lives.”

NIV Study Bible Note on Malachi 4:2-3

Some 400 plus years after these words from Malachi, the Messiah was indeed born, and with Him came the deliverance that had been promised and long-awaited. As believers today, we revel in the freedom received through Faith in the One who was born of a virgin, suffered, bled, and died for our sins, and rose again from the grave – delivering us from the bondage of sin and death. He is our Hope, the Anchor for our soul, and the reason we can proclaim with confidence – God is in control! I have nothing to fear! Christ, “the Sun of Righteousness,” is the reason we wait with confidence and not dread of the coming day of judgment when we will stand before God in the Righteousness and freedom of Christ and we will echo the words of the Psalmist and of Malachi – The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!

Posted in God is good, Prayer Starters

A Perfected System

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Old Rules about Worship


Now the first covenant, in fact, had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, which contained the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves; this is called the Holy Place. 3 And after the second curtain there was a tent called the holy of holies. 4 It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 And above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail. 6 So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties. 7 But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the Holy Place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. 9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They served only for matters of food and drink and various ritual washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.
Hebrews 9:1-10

Christ’s Service in the Heavenly Sanctuary

 But now Christ has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, 12 and He entered once for all into the Most Holy Place not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, and so He Himself secured eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

15 And so He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance He has promised, since He died to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant. 16 For where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be proven. 17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it carries no force while the one who made it is alive.

Hebrews 9:11-17

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Father, You are good! In Your goodness, You bought me with a high price and made a WAY where there was, or seemed to be, no way. Because of Your goodness, we no longer need the Tabernacle of long ago because You have made us Your Temple. The Tabernacle was good and beautiful in its purpose and design and it pointed Your people to the better WAY, the Messiah, yet to come. However, as they knew then and we see clearly now – the gifts and sacrifices they made could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. So, You, in Your goodness, took away the need for the regulations, rituals, and animal sacrifices that were a part of the Tabernacle ‘system’ – by sending the promised and long-awaited Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The sinless Redeemer, Your only begotten Son, was a PERFECT Sacrifice whose death, burial, and resurrection made a WAY! He conquered sin and death and made THE ONLY WAY for us to enter into Your Presence and be the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. So that, now through His eternal sacrifice and Your gift of His Spirit in me, I AM ABLE, with a clear conscience, to WORSHIP You in Spirit and in TRUTH, to walk in FREEDOM from sin and to live for You as His WITNESS! Yes, Father, You are good.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Posted in Quiet Time

Romans 8:1-11

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Today’s Scripture: Romans 8:1-11 (S.O.A.P. Romans 8:1-2)

Question of the Day: What is condemnation and how are believers free from it?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit[b] in Christ Jesus has set you[c] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For God achieved what the law could not do because[d] it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by[e] the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. 6 For the outlook[f] of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in[g] the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but[h] the Spirit is your life[i] because of righteousness. 11 Moreover if the Spirit of the one[j] who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ[k] from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.[l]

After Thoughts