Just Passing Through

For a few months now, I have been unable to escape the scripture 2 Corinthians 3:17, "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The context around this scripture refers to the doctrine of Christ crucified and a veil of ignorance falling from the faces of those who look to Him. Matthew Henry’s Bible commentary poetically states that “..the condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments.”

Liberty in Christ (freedom from sin) is something that many Christians speak of yet have no idea the depth of promises in which they speak. From personal experience, it is hard enough to come to a place where one believes he is freed from sin, much less learning how to walk “in the spirit so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). For a long time 2 Corinthians 3:17 would frustrate me because I knew I had the Spirit of God living in me, yet freedom seemed like a dream to never come true. What I didn’t realize, however, is that the original Greek word for “spirit” in this scripture is the same word used in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit falls upon those at Pentecost. It is the same “Spirit” that Jesus Himself refers to in Acts 1:8, when He says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”


"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…."


Bobbie Houston once said, “we prepare in the Spirit so that we can execute in the natural." If scripture is valid and what Bobbie says is true, then just THINK of the areas of our lives that we can have control over!!!

2008 in general seemed to be a really difficult year for most people that I know. Myself and others have dealt with all sorts of issues such as anxiety, fear, discouragement, depression, financial melt-down, even getting out of bed on a daily basis was a constant feat for many people.

I think the challenge for 2009 is clear: What are we going to do about our problems? Are we going to sit down and camp out in our difficulties, begging God for freedom? Or, are we going to start stirring up the Spirit within…the one who BRINGS freedom!

Psalm 84:5-7 says, "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength..." Notice it says that their "hearts are on pilgrimage." They "pass through" the Valley of Baca (Baca means "weeping" by the way). And they MAKE IT a place of springs! They go from "strength to strength..." It does not say “their hearts are set on just getting out.” It does not say “they stop and lay dying in the Valley of Baca.” Nor does it say “they are weak and helpless.” They keep going and do the entire journey even when it hurts. It even says earlier in verse two that their hearts and souls “faint” for the living God. Read the whole Psalm and you will see that the writer understands that he can only pass through the valley by preparing “in the spirit” with God.

Friends, if FREEDOM is where the Spirit of the Lord is, then why don't we seek that Spirit??? Why are we camping in the “Valley of Weeping” rather than preparing in the Spirit to pass through?

Freedom from fear & worry, freedom in finances, freedom from negative thoughts about yourself, freedom from depression....all of these things are found only in Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. So I DARE YOU to stir it up! I DARE YOU to seek God & His spirit. I challenge you to begin to speak out TRUTH. I dare you to speak in tongues if you can (and ask God for it if you can't) and take authority of your situation instead of camping there. Pass through it, and be the one that turns it into a place of springs for others. Let the rain of the Holy Spirit fall down and cover your life with pools of blessings!!!! Bring the Spirit with you, because He is the one who holds your freedom.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…."