Freedom – Page 2 – ♥️ Take heart!

Fly free

28.06.202525.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31; NLT).

At death
I will fly free at last,

Forever
Leave behind my past,

Forget it all,
Bid life adieu,

Then, evermore,
Be one with you!

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

References

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, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come (Luke 4:18-19; NLT).

Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).

Religion (with thanks to J.W.)

23.06.202524.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between religions of all kinds, and personal spiritual development. A conversation a few days ago helped to focus my thinking, which crystallised yesterday morning to form today’s blog. So, here are some of the significant differences between religions and personal faith I have been shown so far:

Religions often generate rules people are required to follow in order to belong, whilst true faith is based on freedom.

Religious dogmas often aim to control people’s beliefs, thoughts and behaviour, but genuine spiritual support encourages exploration of self, others, and God.

Religious creeds often discourage ongoing, personal faith development. However, spiritual change and growth are fostered by respect, acceptance, understanding and love.

Denominations often result from human intolerance of different spiritual understandings and practices. Inclusiveness, on the other hand, creates genuine oneness with all people.

Religions are often imposed on people, but spiritual development grows organically out of personal experience, personal choice, and a personal relationship with God.

Finally, let’s remember that despite having infinite power over us:
God gives us all freedom of choice.
God gives us all the right to reject Her/Him.
God loves us all unconditionally, even when we do not return Her/His love.

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked (Luke 6:35; NIV).

References

This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help (Isaiah 58:6-7; NLT).

Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners (Matthew 9:13; NLT).

I hate all your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies (Amos 5:21; NLT).

The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

God

21.06.202524.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? (Psalm 147:4; NLT).

God is strands of shining stars in space.
God is peace and mercy, truth and grace.

God is earth, and sea, and sky, and sun.
God is light and fire in everyone.

God is strength, and joy, and life, and breath.
God is pain, and suffering, and death.

God is deepest darkness filled with love.
God is every cross, and drop of blood.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called into one hope when you were called. There is one Savior, one faith, one baptism, one God and Creator of all, who is over all, who works through all and is within all (Ephesians 4:4-6; TIB).

Justice

10.06.202524.12.2025Ruth Kirk

This is what the LORD Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9; NIV).

Justice
Is all about mercy,

And healing
Is all about love –

For Jesus has come
To bring freedom,

And Yahweh
Is reigning above.

God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne (Psalm 47:8; NLT).

References

Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea (Isaiah 48:18; NLT).

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1; CSB).

Free will

13.05.202523.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life (Deuteronomy 30:19; NLT).

Introduction
Recently, with a very significant decision to make, I asked God, “Where do you want me to be?” Then God showed me very clearly that the choice is up to me, because God has given me free will.

Yahweh loves us all just the same, whatever decisions we make, and whatever path through life we take. We all have free will, and can choose our own way.

Oneness
The Bible teaches that we all come from oneness with God, and whatever choices we make, we all return to our Creator:

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).
The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

After death, then, we will all be one with God again, just as we were before our birth.

Choices
Our origin and final destination remain the same, whether we go through life consciously choosing to relate to, or to reject, God. Either way, life is not an easy journey. Rather, it is our personal opportunity to seek our Creator, and to experience living in relationship with God. This is an entirely free choice.

Free will
If we choose to face life with God, rather than without, all we need do is to turn to God, and ask for help. Astonishingly, this is because:

The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT)

Conclusion
Life is our opportunity to seek and find God, who wants us to experience true freedom. Through our moment-to-moment exercise of free will in God’s company we can learn, change and grow. This profoundly healing process is open to us all.

I am the LORD who heals you (Exodus 15:26; NLT).

References

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9; NLT).

If the Son sets you free, you are truly free (John 8:36; NLT).

Silent worship

30.04.202523.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Let all the earth be silent before him (Habakkuk 2:20; NLT).

Silent worship
Is the way

To meet with Jesus
Every day

In soundless, wordless
Unity –

For that’s when Jesus
Sets us free!

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).

Don’t make prayer a burden

28.04.202523.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Unless you … become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3; NLT).

Don’t make your prayers a burden:
Share every thought with God.
Be honest and spontaneous –
As candid as a child.

Don’t make your prayers a burden:
Share every joy with God.
Be free and uninhibited –
Exult and dance; go wild!

Don’t make your prayers a burden:
Share every pain with God.
Be raw, direct, and unconstrained –
Expressing how you feel.

Don’t make your prayers a burden:
Share every fear with God.
Be straight; cry out with no holds barred –
Above all, just be real.

You desire honesty from the womb (Psalm 51:6; NLT).

References

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36; NIV).

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36; NLT).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46; NLT).

We will speak the truth in love growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

Religion

12.03.202522.12.2025Ruth Kirk

Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees … bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matthew 23:1-2,4; NLT).

Religion
Is not about duty;
Salvation
Is not about creeds –
For Jesus
Is all about freedom:
The ‘burden’ he gives us
Is light.

Devotion
Is not about pay-back;
Redemption
Is not about rules –
For Jesus
Is all about healing:
His only desire,
To unite.

Atonement
Is all about oneness;
Forgiveness
Is found through his blood –
For Jesus
Is all about mercy:
So worship him gladly,
With love.

What does the LORD your God ask of you except to fear the LORD your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul? (Deuteronomy 10:12; CSB).