Delivered from the Dark Side #234

Colossians 1:13-14

For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (NAS)

Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. (NAS)

“Free at Last” are famous words used by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a well-known speech by the same name. Few Christians understand the implications of what true freedom is. You may be one who desires to be secure, but you need to grasp that freedom comes before security. It was necessary for God to set you free from the domain of darkness and transfer you into the Kingdom of His Son in order to make you secure.

It was necessary for God to deliver you from your sins and the present evil age that you live in so that He could make you free. Once you are free you can enjoy and experience the security of belonging to God and His kingdom. God our Heavenly Father has given true freedom and life to all who believe in Christ. That life is a brand new life of true freedom.

It is new because you have been delivered from a life controlled by the dark side; by Satan and his fallen angels. You have been moved from sin’s control to the kingdom of Jesus, God the Father's only Son.  You are in His kingdom because of your faith in the person of Jesus, His death and resurrection. The darkness of sin kept you under the dominion of Satan but through Jesus you have been redeemed. You have had your sins removed and have been forgiven of all sin; past, present, and future. Deliverance is freedom to truly live as God intended. You are free from the penalty, the power and the control of sin in your life. Someday in heaven you will be free from the very presence of sin itself. Right now you are free to live life in the kingdom of His beloved Son.

“Free at Last” is more than a phrase. It is a truth that you can know. Stop seeking to just be secure and make sure you are free. Once you are free you will discover true security in relationship to God through His Son Jesus Christ. Trust Him right now to give you His freedom and He will make you secure. 

___________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from QUARTZITE, AZ, where the air is warm, the ground is dusty, there are campers, RVs, tents, trailers and pickups all over everywhere: and lots of SENIOR ADULTS: not nearly as beautiful as Tempe, AZ. I miss my Starbucks!!

Sandy and I finally arrived in Quartzite on Monday afternoon. We waited until we were sure Justin was ok and I was back from the trip to Carlsbad, NM. 

The trip to Carlsbad was great. We got home around 11:30 on Sunday night. I spent 48 hours with some wonderful Middle School young people. They were just great. I did find out that walking three hours through Carlsbad Caverns is better suited for someone more the age of a Middle schooler than my age. I did make it though. We also climbed around on the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument. What a blast!

It is good to be here in Quartzite. Many of our fellow Campers on Mission's group have given me a bad time about saying, "Greetings from Starbucks" since I am not at Starbucks. So I told them I would tell the truth and greet you from Quartzite. 

Johnny was glad to have baby brother home from the hospital. It comes out more BBBB than Baby Brother, but we know what he means. (see pic)

Bennett was a part of his high school Home Coming Court at Horizon Learning Center. He was very handsome.

God continues to bless Sandy and me. I saw the oncologist on Monday and the report indicates the tumors in my liver are numerous, but stable. There is a new (something) on the tip of the pancreas. It is unknown at this time just what it is. It only measures 7mm. Pray that it is nothing serious. I am OFF THE CHEMO. They decided it was not helping. I am grateful not to have the side effects. Thanks for your prayers. 

Our speaking schedule is growing.

1. We will be speaking at the annual Arizona Mission Service Corp retreat February 4-5.

2. I will be preaching at the Intersect service at 9:30AM on February 17th at First Baptist   Church of Tempe.

3. I am scheduled to preach a revival at a church in Memphis, MO April 21-24. 

4. Sandy will be speaking at the First Christian Church in Globe, AZ on August 18th. 

5. She has also been asked to speak at a Women's Meeting in Meadview, AZ in February of 2014. 

 

If your church or group needs a speaker Sandy and I would love to share with them. Please contact us. Thanks for your prayers and concern. We appreciate all of you.

May God bless you today and this week with overflowing life and love.  ~ DGW

After all Jesus said, "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." 

John 10:10