Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

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Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Andi Benson (Writer) - Tyla Yauk (Narrator)

October 22, 2024 • Andi Benson

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Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotion was written by Andi Benson.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25 NIV).

To be clothed in strength and dignity is a spiritual goal I strive for as a Christian woman. As someone who knows the Lord, I find this verse empowering, and it has become one of my favorites. It professes that I can be fearless and take on anything the world has for me without worry because the Holy Spirit is living in me.

In my life, there have been many opportunities to show courage with dignity. Losing my husband and raising two boys alone was probably the most courageous thing I have ever had to do. During that time, there were not too many days that I laughed about the days to come, but I undoubtedly can say that every day, I was assured of God’s plan and His presence with me through all the unknowns.

I intentionally showed dignity through Christ in my outward response as I faced this incredibly personal and difficult life challenge, in the public eye. I live and teach in the small town where I grew up. My late husband coached and was very active in our community. His death and the void of his loss affected so many. This, in turn, made my grief, everyone else’s grief. I constantly felt the burden of those who were hurting and grieving his death. They were looking to me for comfort.

Thankfully, my foundation was built on Christ, and even in my grief and uncertainty, my natural response was filled with God’s peace.

“Being clothed in strength and dignity; and laughing at what’s to come,” is a bold statement of peace in Christ. A peace that passes all understanding. No matter what the enemy does and the hard things I face, I can do so without fear. I pray that God continues to bring peace to my life in all circumstances.

What can we do to strengthen our peace in Christ? Ask God to grow us as Proverbs 31 women, full of strength and dignity.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/

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December 18, 2024 • Marge Webb • Luke 1:46–47, Luke 1:49

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. Today’s devotion is written by Marge Web. “...My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… For the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-47, 49 NRSV) I love Christmas music. My former employees will tell you when they rode to a lunch event in my van; they expected two things: I would drive fast and undoubtedly listen to Christmas music. Did you know singing worship songs at Christmas is evident in the Bible? Of course, the era wasn’t called Christmas, but the angels were bringing the good news of the Savior, and Mary and Zachariah responded with singing. Mary’s beautiful song says in part, Sing out my soul the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. This song is often called the Magnificat and has been used as the basis for choral music and hymns for centuries. What beautiful praise as Mary reacted to all the events happening in her young life sharing the news of the promised Messiah with her aunt Elizabeth. This Christmas let’s not just sing Christmas carols for fun but also worship the newborn Savior through these beautiful hymns. From the daunting melody of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel to the more familiar Silent Night, focus on the lyrics of each song. Maybe we can start with this one. It’s not worshipping a town, but a Savior born there as prophesied in Micah 5:2, “But thou Bethlehem, out of thee shall a ruler of Israel come forth.” (KJV) “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see Thee lie! Above Thy deep and dreamless Sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light: The hopes and dreams of all the years, Are met in Thee tonight.” Let Jesus meet your hopes and dreams this Christmas. Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com

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