Frolicking In Freedom

[Walter and Deborah]

Thursday 9-23-21 Tishri 15, 5782 5th. day of the weekly cycle, 2nd. Fall Day

Deuteronomy 16:13-15

¹³ Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

¹⁴ And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

¹⁵ Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

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Our Daily Bread 23 September 2021 Devotional – Frolicking in Freedom

Our Daily Bread 23 September 2021 Devotional Today Message By Lisa M. Samra (Our Daily Bread Ministries)

Click Here To Read Previous ODB Devotional Message

TOPIC: Frolicking in Freedom

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Malachi 4:1–3

KEY VERSE: You will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. – Malachi 4:2

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Song of Songs 1–3; Galatians 2

TODAY’S INSIGHT: The two word pictures used in Malachi 4:2—“the sun of righteousness” and “healing in its rays—”stand in contrast with the verses on either side. Judgment comes into focus in verse 1, “[the day] will burn like a furnace,” and in verse 3, the prophet says the wicked “will be ashes under the soles of your feet.” On the other hand, how exhilarating it is to think of “healing rays” from the “sun of righteousness” (referring to the manifestations of God’s kindness; see Luke 1:78–79). Then there’s the lively activity pictured in the words, “And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2). The blessed well-being vividly portrayed in this verse is the portion of those “who revere my name.” Revere is the translation of the Hebrew word yaw-ray’. This word is also used in 2:5 and 3:5 to remind God’s people to revere and fear Him in their worship.

Our Daily Bread 23 September 2021 Devotional Today Message
A third-generation farmer, Jim was so moved when he read “You who revere my name . . . will go out and frolic like well-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2) that he prayed to receive Jesus’ offer of eternal life. Vividly recalling his own calves’ leaps of excitement after exiting their confined stalls at high speed, Jim finally understood God’s promise of true freedom.

Jim’s daughter told me this story because we’d been discussing the imagery in Malachi 4, where the prophet made a distinction between those who revered God’s name, or remained faithful to Him, and those who only trusted in themselves (4:1–2). The prophet was encouraging the Israelites to follow God at a time when so many, including the religious leaders, disregarded God and His standards for faithful living (1:12–14; 3:5–9). Malachi called the people to live faithfully because of a coming time when God would make the final distinction between these two groups. In this context, Malachi used the unexpected imagery of a frolicking calf to describe the unspeakable joy that the faithful group will experience when “the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays” (4:2).

Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, bringing the good news that true freedom is available to all people (Luke 4:16–21). And one day, in God’s renewed and restored creation, we’ll experience this freedom fully. What indescribable joy it will be to frolic there!

REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced freedom in Jesus? What other images help you to visualize joy?

Jesus, help me to live joyfully as I remember the freedom only You provide.

Our Daily Bread 23 September 2021 Devotional Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread.

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Love always, Walter and Debbie

Edited September 23, 2021 by Walter and Deborah
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[Mark; Christ made.]

2 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced freedom in Jesus? What other images help you to visualize joy?

Jesus, help me to live joyfully as I remember the freedom only You provide.

I have experienced freedom in Lord Saviour Jesus Christ in probably more ways that I am aware.  The following are some in rough chronological order, like [addictive then enslaving] sins falling away like broken chains and water off a duck's back.

1.  Marijuana

2.  default fate of hell and living hell

3.  demons?  unclean spirits?  witchcraft

4.  Alcohol

5.  depression/misery/loneliness

6.  lack of purpose

7.  worldly music

8.  "gaming"

9.  pornography

10.  slothfulness

11.  wrath

12.  The flesh, world, enemy and selfishness

Other images that help me visualize joy are my most precious good God given blessings.

1.  Holy Bible hope

2.  my wife

3.  my daughters

4.  my father, mother and brother

5.  heaven

6.  the lost then found

7.  our house and home as a temple oasis for God's presence

8.  Holy Spirit discernment, revelation and voice

2 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

Jesus, help me to live joyfully as I remember the freedom only You provide.

Lord Saviour Jesus Christ, help me to rejoice as I remember the freedom, blessings, commandments, wisdom, hope and deliverance only You provide.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:7-9

 

Authorized (King James) Version
 

[Kelly2363]

24 minutes ago, Mark; Christ made. said:

images that help me visualize joy are

 

24 minutes ago, Mark; Christ made. said:

Holy Spirit discernment, revelation and voice

 

Can you explain those meanings please?

[Kelly2363]

32 minutes ago, Kelly2363 said:

Can you explain those meanings please?

Well it would be easy to understand your intention in those words if I took your words from another post where I spoke about asking the Lord a question when I was first saved and then I said what the Spirit answered me. So you replied, I like this answer, Lord. The implied meaning in voice therefore would be the Lord speaking to us. Whereas, it isn't possible to visualise joy. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and not a thing to visualise. I just wanted to understand how you are using your words. 

Edited September 23, 2021 by Kelly2363
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