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Subduing Sin

by MeredithNMills | Aug 8, 2017 | grace, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Victorious Living, Walking by Faith

By Meredith Mills

@DazzledByTheSon

Why can’t I just say “no”?

I was a slave, bound by my own desires and cravings. Food was my master and I regularly did its bidding. Hungry or not, it didn’t matter. Delicious food or mediocre, it didn’t matter. I couldn’t stop myself. I was powerless to change.

And I hated it.

Guilt, shame, even despair, clung to my soul like my kids’ backpacks on the first day of school.

Here’s the crazy thing – I knew Jesus. This isn’t a pre-salvation story. I’d been a Christian for years. I knew the right answers:

Christ in me is greater than the evil one (1 John 4:4).
I’m more than a conquerer through Jesus who loves me (Romans 8:37).
Sin shouldn’t have dominion over me, since I’m living under grace now (Romans 6:14).

But that’s where it stopped – in my head. New year’s resolutions, diets, shaming myself…none of it worked.

Finally, in desperation, I literally cried out to God. I remember two different nights, sobbing on my knees before Him, admitting my helplessness and begging Him to set me free.

And He did.

Not in an instant, but over time. He taught me to think differently and began transforming me on an emotional and spiritual level. I learned to recognize His voice as He talked to my heart, saying things like “You’ve had enough food” or “That’s a healthier choice.”

He satisfied me with Himself as He broke the chains of addictive sin.

And that’s what He’s willing to do in each sin struggle we face.

“You will again have compassion on us, and will subdue all our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea” (Micah7:19 NKJV).

He takes captive those things that once held us captive. He makes them subservient to Himself.

And He flings those sins into the deepest depths of the ocean.

Kinda takes the sting out of temptation, doesn’t it?

It’s nice to know when we feel like we have to give in, our feelings are lying to us.

If we’re being real, though, we’d probably all admit victory is not an everyday reality. The above story happened years ago and honestly, I still struggle to obey Jesus in the realm of eating, though the addictive hold has been broken. It’s a battle I’ll most likely take with me to the grave. (I think of it as my ever-present reminder that I still need Jesus.)

But I know now that I don’t have to sin.

I know that “freedom to do whatever I want” isn’t true freedom at all.

And I know I want Jesus to be my Master – not self and sin. Jesus is good and kind, unlike the sin that seeks to destroy me. Jesus carries my burdens with me. He equips me for this spiritual battle and doesn’t leave me defenseless or alone.

He never meets me with condemnation, even when I fail, but rather with the mercy that triumphed at Calvary. He is instantly ready to pick me up, to redeem the mess I’ve made and help me move forward.

This life of freedom is a process. We must learn to walk with Jesus, to recognize His voice and trust that His heart for us is good. It takes practice to rely on Him for the strength (and sometimes the desire) we need to step out in faith.

There are no methods that can take the place of relating to Jesus – not even the spiritual disciplines.

Seriously.

Reading my Bible didn’t set me free.

Praying didn’t break sin’s hold on me.

Telling lots of people about Jesus didn’t inoculate me from addictive sin.

Nope. All of those things are empty when we look to them as our source and hope.

The Pharisees did all those things, but they missed Jesus and remained unchanged.

Walking in victory isn’t a matter of mustering the strength to obey or setting up strong enough “fences” to keep us on the straight and narrow. Nothing but an ever-deepening walk with Jesus can transform our hearts.

And yes, that does include the irreplaceable spiritual disciplines mentioned above. These and other disciplines are essential tools for knowing Him. But they are not the source of change – Jesus is.

What are you facing today? Does a particular sin hold you in its grip? May you find freedom in the nearness of Jesus, in acknowledging your powerlessness and in surrendering anew to the love of Jesus.

In what areas has Jesus set you free? I’d love to hear – please leave a comment below!

Redeemed and Set Free

We’re Free

Not Safe, but Good

by MeredithNMills | Jul 11, 2017 | abiding in Christ, Family, grace, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Victorious Living, Walking by Faith

by Meredith Mills

@DazzledByTheSon

Oh, the adventures we’ve had!

Of all the activities we do as a family, reading together is one of my favorite. We’ve sailed to faraway lands, met giants and even escaped from a cyclops. We’ve been imprisoned with missionaries, dined with royalty and ridden a flying horse. Oh, the adventures we’ve had!

The best books, my favorite books, are those which sprinkle life lessons and spiritual truths throughout the stories. We’re currently reading one such book – The Chronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis.

I love the chapter we read today, where the Pevensie children and their beaver friends discuss an upcoming meeting with Aslan, the Lion King of the magical land of Narnia. The children have never met Aslan, so the Beavers are preparing them for their introduction. Here’s how the conversation goes:

“Is he a man?” asked Lucy.

“Aslan a man?” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not…Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan…“Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver… “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”

I want to cheer when I read those words. In Aslan lies a breathtaking picture of the Lion of Judah, our King Jesus.

He is not safe, as some count safety. He takes sin seriously – Scripture records the devastating effects of His anger toward those who persist in evil. He is not to be approached without reverence. Even demons tremble before Him and will one day bow in forced surrender.

But, oh, how good He is.

Over and over, Scripture tells of His anger restrained by His compassion, even stating that mercy triumphs over judgment. This mercy led Him to the cross, where justice was satisfied through the death of the Innocent One in place of the guilty.

He is not safe, but He is good.

Yet this comforting truth leaves me with the following question, one I’ve honestly been pondering for the past several years:

Where does the “fear of God” fit into the life of a believer?

On the one hand, we are told that “as we live in God, our love grows more perfect…Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love” (I John 4:17-18 NLT).

On the other hand, we are urged to, “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV).

So are Christians to live in fear of an unsafe God?

Should His goodness lead us to carefree living?

The most poignant illustration I’ve heard on this subject was shared by our pastor in church recently. He told of a young boy taunted by his friends when he refused to join in their naughty behavior. Finally, an older boy said, “You’re just afraid that your dad will hurt you if you do it.”

His reply ought to echo in each of our hearts. “No, I’m not afraid he will hurt me. I’m afraid of hurting him.”

Love. Fear of grieving His heart. Jealousy over our relationship with Him. Such devotion should be the current that directs a life of faith.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how believers ought to fear God this side of Calvary. Please comment below – let’s get to know Him better together!

Rest for the Restless

A New Me

Today’s post is based on the following Scripture verses: Psalm 78, James 2:19, Philippians 2:10, Psalm 30:5, Psalm 78:38, Psalm 103:8-13, James 2:13, 1 Peter 3:18.

Redeemed and Set Free

by MeredithNMills | Jul 4, 2017 | abiding in Christ, fear, Hope in the Midst of Heartache, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Victorious Living, Walking by Faith

by Meredith Mills

@DazzledByTheSon

I’ll never forget what I saw that day.

I had heard of slavery, but to me it was a remote problem – a shameful period in our nation’s history and a distant atrocity in far-away lands.

And then I saw them. Flesh and blood people trapped in the insidious web of human trafficking. Sex slaves and beggars lining busy streets. Drugged children and lepers waiting for alms. Victims of human cruelty and depravity.

I saw real-life slaves that day. I looked in their eyes and felt as though I gazed into their souls.

And my heart broke into a million pieces.

So this is what slavery looks like.

The powerless trampled by the powerful. The weak exploited by the strong.

No mercy. No hope. No means of escape. Only the monotony of a slave’s daily existence.

The event I describe took place during a mission trip to Bangkok, Thailand several years ago. It is burned in my memory, tucked away in the deepest corner of my heart.

Yet in reality, it’s a picture of my life. I’ve experienced sin’s heavy chains, enslaving me to destructive habits I despise but keep on doing.

And I’ve felt the crushing condemnation of a Law I can’t keep, no matter how hard I try.

I know the tyranny of a master who cares nothing for his slaves.

But thank God, Someone came to my rescue. Someone stronger than my old master. Someone rich enough to pay my ransom. Someone so relentlessly loving He’d exchange His own life for mine – and yours.

This is God our Redeemer. Lavish in love. Extravagant in grace.

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT).

Let that sink in for a minute. Our God is rich, abundantly wealthy…in kindness and grace.

He looked on us in our wretched slavery, when we had nothing to offer Him, and He loved us.

He wanted us.

He knew we’d broken His law. He realized we’d not always love Him in return. Yet He loved us and was delighted to make us His own.

Do you feel it? The overwhelming realization that, no matter what, you are wanted.

I’ve spent the past several days reading through Ephesians one. Our Redeemer’s abundant generosity is striking. For those united with Christ:

He has given us every spiritual blessing.
He loved us, chose us and decided to make us holy – all before He uttered creation’s first life-giving words.
He made plans for our adoption so we could be close to Him, though we were once His enemies because of our sins.
His richness of kindness and grace compelled Him to pay our ransom and purchase our freedom.
He poured out abundant favor on us, showering us with kindness.
His incredibly great power works on our behalf – the same power that brought Jesus back from the dead.

Abundance. Riches. Greatness. This is the lavish love of our Redeemer.

Have you experienced it? Do you know His redemption? If not, I invite you to check out In Case You’re Wondering.

If you know Him, I rejoice with you in the freedom He gives.

How have you seen Him as Redeemer in your life? How does His redemption affect your daily life? Please comment below. Let’s get to know Him better together!

We’re Free

Free to be Me

When Your Child Doesn’t get the Award

by MeredithNMills | May 31, 2017 | Family, Hope in the Midst of Heartache, Identity in Christ, Loneliness, ministry, Uncategorized

Sometimes parenting thrills my soul. It’s fun and rewarding to make memories with our kids.

Other times, parenting is just plain hard. I’m sharing today over at Just 18 Summers about tacking one of those tough issues. It’s a two-parter so be sure to check out both posts.

Here’s Part One

And Part Two

How do you help your kids when they don’t get the award? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below.

Redefining Success, Part One

Redefining Success, Part Two

This Changes Everything

by MeredithNMills | Dec 25, 2016 | Identity in Christ, Uncategorized, Walking by Faith

“Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and they will call Him Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Matt 1:23) NET.

God.with.us.

Those three words astound me.

For thousands of years, God had been worshiped from afar. His holiness stood in stark contrast to mankind’s sin. A thick veil separated His earthly presence in the temple from those who approached Him.

Until Emmanuel.

His arrival changed everything.

The Eternal One stepped into time and wrapped Himself with humanity. The Creator became one of us. The King who controls armies, who sets up and tears down nations, that King made His first appearance in an unceremonious stable.

And such would be His life – a homeless Miracle Worker, a traveling Teacher, a King rejected by His own people.

He came not impress us, but to save us. Not to condemn us, but to restore friendship with God.*

He came to do what we could not do – to keep the Law of God, and die as if He hadn’t. To taste death for us, then render it powerless so we could be set free.

He came to tear the veil that separated a holy God from His people, and to make us holy, too.

This is Emmanuel – a God so in love with His people that He would walk among us, know our pains, experience our emotions, and die in our stead.

And He beckons us, even today as we celebrate His birth, to draw near to Him as well.

As we give and receive gifts this Christmas day, may we remember the greatest Gift of all time. And may we offer ourselves back as a gift to Him.

Merry Christmas!

This changes everything

* If you’re curious about how to begin a relationship with this Jesus, please check out In Case You’re Wondering.

The Sunrise of Christmastime

The Wonder of Christmas

What’s Inside

Umbrella Ministry

by MeredithNMills | Sep 23, 2016 | Family, Identity in Christ, knowing God, Uncategorized, Victorious Living, Walking by Faith

by Meredith Mills @DazzledByTheSon

Don’t you just love rainy days?

rainy days

There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a cup of tea on a dark and rainy day. So cozy and comfortable. Ahh…I love rainy days.

Unless I have to run errands. With three kids in tow. Of those rainy days, I am not a fan.

Yesterday, I had a list of several places to go in a short window of time. I was a bit uptight and stressed. So when it started raining on the way to Walmart, my heart sank. And of course, there are never close parking spaces on rainy days. Seriously, they should have designated parking places for moms with more than one tagalong.

We grabbed our single umbrella and climbed out of the car. Gathering my little people close, we walked toward the store.

“Do you need an umbrella?” I turned toward the voice to see an older woman standing beside the open door of her car. She had a pleasant expression on her face as she offered us a bright yellow umbrella.

“Oh, I think we’re fine,” I replied.

“Are you sure? I have a sort-of ‘umbrella ministry,’” she said with a smile.

rainy days

I returned the smile, not quite sure what to say. I’d never heard of an “umbrella ministry” before. While I hesitated, she walked over and handed us her yellow umbrella, then returned to her car. “God bless you,” she said warmly.

We thanked her, opened the umbrella and again walked toward the entrance.

This unusual encounter made quite an impression on my heart. Such a small act of kindness, yet so very thoughtful.

I bet the “umbrella ministry” is not included on a list of outreaches on any local church bulletins. She probably doesn’t consider herself to be a missionary. I wonder how many people even know of her ministry?

And yet this generous woman is a vital member of the Body of Christ, lovingly meeting needs in creative ways as God leads. She was a beautiful reminder to me of how “outside my box” God is.

He has important work to do through each of His own in advancing His kingdom. We’ve all been given various gifts and callings, as well as different opportunities in differing seasons. Sometimes our “ministry” will look just like what we’ve imagined. Other times it may seem small or insignificant.

But whatever we do in the name of Jesus is beautiful and meaningful and precious to God. As we walk close to Him, humbly following His lead, He lives out His heart through us.

How about you? Do you ever wonder if your life makes a difference, if God could possibly be pleased with how “daily” your life is?

Be faithful, my friend. Walk with Him. Listen to His voice. Do whatever He leads you to do – whether it seems significant or not.