Breaking Free: Experiencing Peace & Freedom in Jesus
In Breaking Free, Beth Moore tackles one of the most perplexing yet common experiences of believers: being saved by Jesus and yet still experiencing bondage. “Bondage is anything that hinders us from the fullness of who God called us to be, from receiving and living in the full benefits of our relationship with Him… The blessed people of God can live under great oppression,” she writes – yet, Paul assures us in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Darling, do you feel burdened and weighed down? Have you been hurt? Are you tired and weary? Are you always waiting for the promised ‘abundant life’ in Christ but never getting to live it? Do you ever feel pushed around or hijacked by pain, trauma, bitterness, regret, addictions, habits, reactions you can’t quite get ahead of, fears, and the constant struggle with thought patterns and destructive tendencies that just won’t leave you in peace?
Me too. But it is for freedom that He set us free.
God invites us into His shalom, His peace: a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another, characterized by wholeness, friendship, care, quietness and trust in His steadfast love. Join us in this study to learn how to live in the freedom Christ gives us, how to seek wholeness in Him, how to “stand firm” in Jesus Christ. No more trying harder, no more being hard on ourselves, no more trying to shame ourselves into ‘being good,’ no more confusion and frustration making us bang our heads against the walls, no more being wrapped up in chains that God did not create us to bear.
It is for freedom that you have been set free.
We are going to journey slowly and deeply through this study together from January through June. Some healing is instantaneous. Most healing is progressive. All is a miracle of grace we must learn to receive. So let us learn together and pursue God together until we are truly free, to the glory of God the Father.
Imagine what it would be like to not be overwhelmed or terrified of that one thing anymore. Imagine no longer being stuck in a cycle of shame regarding our unhealthy coping mechanisms we use to get through the day. Imagine being able to genuinely breathe and relax in Jesus because we know He has us and we are always completely safe and loved in Him, literally, without a hint of poetic exaggeration. Imagine being able to radically accept what God has given us, receiving the good and beautiful, and submitting to the suffering well because we know our God is with us, “He is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Imagine being able to love others freely and generously and naturally, because we are so deeply rooted in Christ’s unconditional love that it overflows. Imagine being able to live in this messy, confusing, hard, and at times crazy world and thrive because we know how to delight in the One who calls us His Beloved.
Jesus is inviting you, darling, into this beautiful journey. He came for this. For you.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me,
for the Lord has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel,
He will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for His own glory.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
rebuilding cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations. – Isaiah 61:1-4
Join us by registering via the link below or by filling in a form in the church lobby. We can’t wait to go on this journey with you and discover the goodness and love of God anew.
If you have any questions, please contact Bethany at women@brookswoodbaptist.com