Freedom Makes God Happy

Freedom Makes God Happy

You won’t want to miss this episode of the Drink from the River of Delight podcast with Robert Cale [https://substack.com/profile/321056913-robert-cale]! Have you ever felt enslaved or oppressed? Robert and I discuss the common things that can take us captive: people pleasing, substances, false narratives, comfort, or our own pride. When we are enslaved or oppressed, we can’t dig ourselves out of it. We can’t fix the problem without outside help. We don’t need to fall into hopelessness, think we are a victim, or believe a lie that God doesn’t care. Today’s episode is all about the freedom that God has for us, and how we live in that reality—not just knowing about freedom but actually experiencing it. God will give us that experience of His love and freedom when our allegiance is fully His, to the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ. Putting both feet in the boat with Jesus is possible: come in meekness ready to receive His Word, come in desperate need of Him as your only hope, come in anticipation of His love and goodness. Trust God with everything! Don’t put any conditions on your obedience to God. Practical ways to live faith: read your Bible daily, pray honestly and constantly, and live in community with other believers through discipleship, accountability, and service in the Body of Christ. Embodied faith, or faith that is fully integrated into every aspect of your life, is God’s will for your life. We discussed how learning to lament can help bring the truths we know about God into our experience of Him in our heart. Read the prayer below, making it your own. Our prayer is to experience God as our loving Father through Jesus’ mighty work on the cross. Read more from Robert Cale [https://substack.com/profile/321056913-robert-cale] and the book of James [https://substack.com/@koinonia59/note/p-193353890?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1nwwp5]. We referenced Mark Vroegop’s book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy. [https://a.co/d/006fyE8n] Are you looking for someone to walk with you on your spiritual journey? I would love to welcome you into God’s healing space in His Word during a one hour session [https://janetabadir.com/ContactPage] on Zoom. Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me. For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name. Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. (ESV) -Isaiah 63:15–Isaiah 64:4 Thanks for reading Drink from the River of Delight! This post is public so feel free to share it. Drink from the River of Delight is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe [https://janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Bring Heaven To Earth: 50 Days Of Freedom

Here’s the recap of our conversation on June 21. Reigns Of Victory [https://substack.com/profile/263089718-reigns-of-victory] and I discuss what we are learning from the 50 Days of Freedom Challenge so far. God wants us to live in freedom, not enslaved to performance-based worth, our own achievements, or negativity. We talked about being motivated by joy instead of fear. We are completely, eternally safe in Jesus, no matter what happens to us in life. Heaven and earth have finally met in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully Man. We read Psalm 85 [https://www.esv.org/Psalm+85/] and God has invaded every aspect of our lives, giving us the Holy Spirit [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/where-is-the-spirit-of-the-lord?r=1nwwp5] to live in us. We can bring Him glory in every moment of our lives, even in the mundane tasks. We no longer look at people based on status, money, influence, or abilities. We can treasure maturity over productivity. We can receive God’s compassion, and become more compassionate, better listeners [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/be-the-kind-of-person-who-listens?r=1nwwp5], humble and joyful people. Nothing in the temporal is wasted in God’s plan, nothing is meaningless, nothing is beyond God’s ability to use for good in His eternal kingdom. The blood of Jesus can redeem the most painful parts of our lives. Our testimony of Jesus’ work in our lives is far more valuable than outward “productivity.” I am so thankful for everyone who tuned in: Divinely Disabled [https://substack.com/profile/369469003-divinely-disabled], Phil Hannum [https://substack.com/profile/115355758-phil-hannum], Amber Taube [https://substack.com/profile/3232464-amber-taube], Mackenzie Lueken [https://substack.com/profile/140811293-mackenzie-lueken], FaithBindsUs [https://substack.com/profile/393149255-faithbindsus], Dr. Shenica [https://substack.com/profile/181300422-dr-shenica], and others. Do you feel that your earthly life demonstrates heaven invading our space? Share below. We are so thankful for God’s work in your life. It’s not too late to join the 50 Days of Freedom Challenge! Subscribe today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe [https://janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

God's Will For Your Life Is Freedom

Have you ever wondered what God wants you to do with your life? He is the Creator, and He has a purpose for you, but how can you know what it is? In this short podcast, I will share some insights I have been learning about seeking and finding God’s will. He isn’t hiding. He delights in revealing His will to you. Look up! Start with praise (Psalm 145 [https://www.esv.org/Psalm+145/]). Next comes repentance, or turning back to God, and turning away from other things (Psalm 32 [https://www.esv.org/Psalm+32/]). Finally, start listening with humility. As you gaze at the glory of God in Jesus Christ, you will be transformed (2 Corinthians 3:12-18 [https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+3/#:~:text=Since%20we%20have,the%20Spirit.]). God’s will is not always efficient or productive based on our definitions, but it is glorious in the end. Even if we have to endure suffering, God helps us to see it not as an interruption of His plans, but as an invitation to know Jesus better. Check out Mike Pennington [https://substack.com/profile/216044895-mike-pennington]’s article [https://open.substack.com/pub/635916/p/in-a-blink-everything-changed-is?r=1nwwp5&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web] about his experience of suffering. Freedom is God’s will for His people. He is the God who brought His people out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery. Now, as God’s children under the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus, we can find freedom from the lies and enslavements that are burdening us. Don’t miss the 50 Days of Freedom Challenge, starting this week. Subscribe for free on Substack [https://janetabadir.substack.com/]. If you would like help in seeking God’s will for your life, I would love to walk alongside you with biblical counseling. We seek God together through prayer and the Word, with His Spirit to guide us. Reserve your spot on my website [https://janetabadir.com/ContactPage]. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe [https://janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

An Invitation To Growth And Healing

Bill Faris MPC [https://substack.com/profile/348327052-bill-faris-mpc] does it again! He’s back on the Drink from the River of Delight Podcast, and you won’t want to miss this conversation. Bill and I share a passion to see people find freedom from burdens and false assumptions through truth, light, and life in Christ. Trauma sneaks up on us, and overwhelms us by shattering our core beliefs of safety, predictability, and fairness. Our thoughts are then invaded by flashbacks, ruminations, and attention-grabbing warnings from our brain. There is so much hope for Post-Traumatic Growth [https://positivepsychology.com/post-traumatic-growth/]! It comes from deliberately rebuilding our thoughts to reflect God’s truth. The five areas we mentioned are: * Appreciation of life—increased gratitude [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/grow-in-gratitude-overcome-shame?r=1nwwp5] * Improved relationships with others—increased compassion [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/suspicion-or-compassion?r=1nwwp5] * Seeing new possibilities—increased hope [https://open.substack.com/pub/ericmattie/p/collaboration-with-janet-and-chris?r=1nwwp5&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web] * Personal strength—increased confidence [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/reframing-take-care] * Spiritual change—increased humility in our relationship with God [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/i-object] We read some of Luke 15 [https://www.esv.org/Luke+15/#:~:text=But%20qwhen,to%20celebrate.], and highlighted the importance of receiving God’s compassion, and responding to His invitation of healing and restored relationships. You are always welcome in God’s safe healing space in His word. God will always get the last word. Hallelujah! Dr. Jim Wilder [https://lifemodelworks.org/about/dr-jim-kitty-wilder] is the author of Escaping Enemy Mode [https://a.co/d/0bakCyft], where he describes relational mode as characterized by CAKE: curiosity, appreciation, kindness, and eye-contact. Bill [https://billfaris.com/] and I offer online biblical counseling through our websites [https://janetabadir.com/ContactPage]. Please comment below with your thoughts on post-traumatic growth. Which of the five ways of growth would you like the most: gratitude, compassion, hope, confidence, or humility? We would love to pray for you by name. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe [https://janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Both My Parents Are Gone

Grief and loss seem like devastation and destruction, but the gospel teaches that God is working to redeem all things for good in the end by the blood of Jesus. I am so thankful for my conversation with Reigns Of Victory [https://substack.com/profile/263089718-reigns-of-victory] (Phil Varnhagen) about his cancer journey, and my recent loss of my mom, after losing my dad suddenly in 2023. We can trust in the LORD. Jesus is so close to the broken hearted, and we learn more about Him through our suffering. Some highlights: “The disease was the cure.” Phil’s cancer gave him a new perspective on life, and cured his self-destruction—helping him focus on God. What’s our treasure? What’s winning? If it’s Jesus, we find that suffering makes us draw closer to Jesus. We can continue to enjoy God’s presence, and we know all service to God is valuable. Only He is infinitely valuable. This is how we find freedom from living for human approval. It’s not about how productive we can be, but how present we can be. Suffering shakes away so many things, leaving behind what is important: our firm foundation and our anchor in Jesus. Phil wrote some words he associates with grief and loss: impactful, personal, painful, separation, uncertainty, discontent, and uneasy. He wrote this about the gospel: truth, hope love, timeless, and foundational. I added the word redemption as well. See the sunny day of redemption that God will provide, and He will help you forget (or at least decrease the pain of) that suffering leading up to it. Our response then becomes worship instead of grumbling and complaining. Let’s not run away from suffering people, but draw near to them and witness what God is doing in their lives. We can see our pain and suffering as so small in comparison to the greatness of knowing Jesus better. Let’s stay engaged so we can find Jesus in the suffering; stop trying to numb our pain [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/the-better-remedy-for-pain-e42?r=1nwwp5] with alcohol, substances, scrolling, or emotional withdrawal from others. Phil’s morning prayer: “Lord thank you for preparing this day for me, and prepare me for this day.” So helpful for me as a person who has dread and groans every morning [https://janetabadir.substack.com/p/from-dread-to-delight-549?r=1nwwp5]! Death is final; God is reminding us of what’s at stake. “So teach us to number our days, so that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Stay in community in your grief, because there is protection and healing in that. Remember that suffering is never punishment if we are in Christ; there is discipline, and there are hard times, but Jesus has drunk every drop of the cup of wrath for us on the cross (Romans 8:1). We have an embarrassment of riches [https://youtu.be/GbCV_V8Q0E8] when we have Jesus. For a better perspective on your suffering, read a book written by persecuted and suffering Christians [https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Fire-Underground-Church-Stories/dp/0882641506/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-09kIOrFIDBBJPDzadg0X0SC3OQXGAHLz8AcxJX6pdJq3wlTEtxMpaxhWGJXdLEN5TJoBkbo0vIEkNL5u-ZUTfggpq2jqfXdU0OKQQfndPNjxLWUmkRIpo3CCs6XtRvnd_2TowzX6dn8n9BlRH4PixZSFJRrYlp9nLhkDRN_q7HEqfVH5YWdOsIhKcqMlfRpobmmvtuAAzZH6owGhGYrkVvEMVSS6KTr3vYav17NgG42dCDBNZ9rEnbPng5B-gG9N6QHJACu2mdBepAnAqbSF1GZ3_OBssJfm_be_zcBukU.k_s_6LcGSjuLm_r1Qt7r2fRepz82nPH0J1buldhKSy8&qid=1777334191&sr=8-3#detailBullets_feature_div]. One glimpse of the glory of God will make all of this temporary suffering worthwhile. Our story matters, and all our suffering has purpose. Courtney Doctor’s study, called From Garden to Glory [https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Glory-Understanding-Story-Changes/dp/0736988343/ref=sr_1_2?sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-2#], reveals that we have to know God’s story so that we can know our role in it—our part He gave us as “improvisational actors”! 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 [16] So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (ESV) Phil read from my most recent post, Untethered or Anchored. Please comment below with your thoughts on navigating grief and loss. Subscribe to the Drink from the River of Delight podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drink-from-the-river-of-delight/id1795364367], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/20iSV966X1lrbGOqRj06Md], or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@janetabadir]. If you like and review the podcast, you allow other people to find us as well. Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Eric Mattie [https://substack.com/profile/254735552-eric-mattie] Psalm 119:28–32 [28] My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! [29] Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! [30] I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. [31] I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! [32] I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! (ESV) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe [https://janetabadir.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]