CHANGE A KID’S LIFE FOR ETERNITY!
July 15-19, we will take our young people to the Arise Youth Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN. This will be a life-changing week for our youth. We need your help to cover the cost, which is $185 per child for registration, plus food and lodging expenses. Thank you for making this need a matter of prayer. Your support can make a lasting impact on their lives.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” – Romans 6:18
Sin is the enemy of true freedom, binding us and leading us away from God’s intended life. True freedom means being freed from sin and becoming servants of righteousness. This transformation shifts our allegiance from sin to righteousness, allowing us to live a life pleasing to God. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 illustrates this transformation. Drawn by worldly pleasures, the son squandered his inheritance and ended up destitute. In desperation, he returned to his father, who welcomed him with forgiveness. This shows that freedom from sin comes through repentance and returning to God. “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
Practical Application:
- Daily Repentance: Make it a daily habit to confess your sins and seek God’s forgiveness. Reflect on Romans 6:18 and embrace your identity as a servant of righteousness.
- Bible Study: Study the Bible to understand God’s standards and live by them. Focus on passages like Romans 6 and 1 John 1:9.
- Accountability Partner: Find a trusted friend or mentor who can hold you accountable and pray with you about your struggles with sin.
- Avoid Temptation: Identify triggers and situations that lead to sin and take practical steps to avoid them.
- Engage in Service: Actively pursue good works and righteous living as a response to the freedom you have received.
The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden also illustrates how excuses can keep us in bondage. When they sinned, they made excuses—Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. These excuses did not change the reality of their disobedience and the resulting consequences. Similarly, our excuses do not change the fact that we are in bondage. Freedom from sin requires us to acknowledge our need for God’s grace and to actively seek His help in breaking free from sin’s hold. This means being honest about our struggles, repenting, and trusting in God’s power to transform us. It’s a daily commitment to live in the freedom that Christ has already secured for us through His death and resurrection.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to embrace my new identity in Christ and live a life of righteousness. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit to experience true freedom in You. Amen.
Assignment: Today, take some time to reflect on any areas of your life where you may be making excuses for sin. Write down these excuses and the corresponding sins. Then, find and write down Bible verses that counter these excuses with God’s truth. Commit to daily prayer and repentance, asking God to help you overcome these areas and live in true freedom.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Steve Michaels
Tom Graham
Gail Sparks
Ellen Boyd
Friend of Linda Hodge
Joy Gilbert
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Mays
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Faith Burnette
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
Joe Shelnutt
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher
Larry Barker
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison
Pastor Driskell
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Sarah Parker
Scott Lanier
Tom Graham (Sandra’s Husband)
Tom Witcher