Daily Devotions

March 29

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

- Galatians 5:1 (RSV)

Freedom is an incredible possession. Sometimes we may take it for granted until it is lost either by war, dictatorship, or invasion of our country by hostile powers. The apostle Paul knew well the value of freedom when he wrote his letter to the Galatians. As a Roman citizen Paul was free to travel as he wished and was not subject to the whims and prejudice of local courts. He had the right to appeal directly to the Emperor himself for justice. Paul also understood well the freedom Christ can give us from sin and death. As a former Pharisee, he knew the Jewish laws intimately and obeyed them scrupulously but was still bound to legalism and sin until his encounter with the resurrected Christ on the Road to Damascus. It was only then Paul was delivered from his enslavement to legalism and sin by the love and forgiveness Jesus personally offered him.

Christ died to set all of us free from sin and long lists of laws and regulations. But he did not free us to do whatever we want since that leads back into slavery to harmful behaviors. Rather we are now free to do what was impossible before and live without being trapped in the slavery of legalism, destructive actions, and harmful habits. Those who appeal to "freedom" so they can have their own way or indulge selfish desires are falling back into sin. But it is also wrong to put legalistic demands on Christians. We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ. A little boy was once overheard praying: “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a real good time like I am.” This little boy understood God's Grace perfectly and knew that God's love is with us always caring for you just as you are, wherever you are! God loves you enough to give you your freedom today and every day. Use it well!

Prayer:

Jesus,

Thank you for dying for my freedom!

Amen.

Meditation For The Day:

Jesus has set you free indeed!

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal (Seasonal Devotionals) Paperback – February 21, 2017

Used with permission of the family of the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson.

Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson, D.Min., (1942-2018)

Mary was Ordained in 1975.
She served both as a Parish Pastor and in multiple Specialized Ministry Settings.

She worked on the Clinical Staff of New England Memorial Hospital and Middleton Pastoral
Counseling Center in Massachusetts and was a Director of Green Pastures Counseling Centers in N.H.

She was a state Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Nationally Board-Certified Counselor (N.C.C.), and Nationally Certified Pastoral Counselor (AAPC)
and held certification as a Clinical Member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (A.C.P.E.).

She received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Psychology and Clinical Studies
from Andover Newton in Newton, MA.

Dr. Johnson also founded Good News Specialized Ministries, Inc.
This unique ministry provided education and Clinical Christian Counseling to thousands of people over the decades and trained numerous Clinical Counselors and Counseling Ministers while offering weekly non-denominational worship services to the community for more than 20 years.

I had the honor and privilege of working with Pastor Arnie Johnson
when I served as the pastor for the Richmond Community United Methodist Church

in Richmond, NH from 2019 - 2022.
I personally have been deeply touched by Mary's writings.

Her family has graciously allowed me to share them with you.

- Pastor Sharon Sargent

"I always considered my ministry at Richmond as a shared ministry. Mary had the expertise that helped me function as well as I did. I received critiques on the way home after the services. I finally realized that I may have “arrived” when one day she was pleased with my performance with no critique! That took several years! So, I would love it if you would use the picture of the two of us and mention Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson as my spouse and partner in ministry, and she continued to be until the day she died, four days before the end of my appointment at Richmond." - Pastor Arnie Johnson

Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson is the author of eight other published books including:

"Activating The Power Of Pastoral Care: A Team Approach";

"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Renewal"(Vol.1-4);

"Flying Free: Transforming Grief and Loss into Renewal";

Following The Angel Trail: In The Steps Of Jesus";

"Love In Action: The Healing Heritage Of The Counseling Ministry Of The Church";

"Visions Of Hope: Voices Of Americana";

"Healing Streams: Journeys Of Healing".

She has also been published in the AAPC professional Journal "Journeys" and in the Keene Sentinel.