In his second letter to Christians in Corinth, the apostle Paul wrote, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV). God’s Spirit sets us free. Are you free or do you feel enslaved? Henri Nouwen explained to his nephew, Marc, in his second letter within the book, Letters to Marc About Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World, that we are free in Christ “to forgive others, to serve them, and to form a new bond of fellowship with them,” as well as “to love and to work for a free world.” Do you feel the freedom to forgive, serve, form new bonds of fellowship, love, and work for the benefit of the people of the world? If the Holy Spirit is in you, you are free!

As Jesus’ ministry was beginning, he read the following passages from the prophet Isaiah to reveal things about himself, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. The Holy Spirit releases captives and sets the oppressed free.

Throughout 2021 you are invited to focus on living with Jesus at the center of your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to set you free in a way that only God can. To help us with ongoing Christ Consistency, we are continuing our new message series connected to Henri Nouwen’s book, Letters to Marc About Jesus. This weekly Your Faith Journey devotional will connect with the series worship service messages and some of the content of Henri’s book.

*If you would like to read the book Letters to Marc About Jesus during our sermon series, you can purchase it through Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com, or Cokesbury.com.

Sunday (4/18)
This week you are invited to either read Psalm 146 or part of the hymn “Freely, Freely” by Carol Owens to begin your devotional time with God each day, then read the daily Bible verses, and conclude your time praying the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed below, or a prayer of your own, to help you live with Jesus as the center of your life.

Hymn: “Freely, Freely” by Carol Owens (UM Hymnal 389)
God forgive my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you,
to share his love as he told me to.
He said, “Freely, freely you have received,
freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe,
others will know that I live.”

Prayer: “Freedom in Christ” by Rubem Alves (UM Hymnal 360)
Gracious God,
make me sensitive to all the evidence of your goodness;
and may I, trusting in you,
free myself of the terror of death,
and feel free to live intensely and happily
the life you have given me. Amen.

 

Monday (4/19)
Read Psalm 146.
Read Luke 4:14-21.
Pray in response to Jesus using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.

Tuesday (4/20)
Read the “Freely, Freely” hymn lyrics from above.
Read Mark 5:21-34.
Pray in response to the One who sets us free from suffering using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.

Wednesday (4/21)
Read Psalm 146.
Read John 8:31-47.
Pray in response to Jesus using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.

Thursday (4/22)
Read the “Freely, Freely” hymn lyrics from above.
Read Romans 6.
Pray in response to the verses using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.

Friday (4/23)
Read Psalm 146.
Read Galatians 5:1-6.
Pray in response to Christ and the freedom we have through faith in him using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.

Saturday (4/24)
Read the “Freely, Freely” hymn lyrics listed above.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:17.
Pray in response to the Spirit of the Lord using the “Freedom in Christ” prayer listed above, or using your own words.
Consider observing the Sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. The questions below can be used to help with reflecting: 
How did I see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?
Who needs to hear about my experience sometime in the coming days?

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online on a computer.