Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

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Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Karen Wardle (Writer) - Tyla Yauk (Narrator)

October 25, 2024 • Karen Wardle • Mark 12:30, Matthew 5:2–11

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

Today, we delve into the profound wisdom of Karen Wardle's favorite scriptures, the Beatitudes, which hold a special place in her heart.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30 NIV).

My favorite verses are the Beatitudes that Jesus gave us for encouragement.

“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:2-11ESV).

As women walking in faith, we are called to love God with our entire being. But how do we love God with our minds when worries, distractions, and the demands of daily life overwhelm us?

In Matthew, Jesus presents the Beatitudes, a series of blessings offering profound insight into the kingdom of God.These verses challenge and encourage us to align our thoughts and attitudes with His will. Meditating on these teachings can renew our minds and deepen our love for God.

1. Poor in Spirit: We recognize our spiritual neediness and approach God with humility and dependence. We are open to receiving His kingdom when our minds acknowledge our need for His grace. This mind shift allows us to see beyond our limitations and embrace His love.

2. Mourning and Comfort: Grief is not a sign of weakness but an expression of a heart aligned with God’s compassion. When our minds dwell on His comfort, we experience His presence and healing. This awareness transforms our sorrow into hope and peace.

3. Embracing Meekness is often misunderstood in

a world that values power and dominance. However, meekness reflects self-control and a mind surrendered to God’s will. By cultivating a gentle spirit, we mirror Christ’s humility and inherit His promises.

4. Hungering for Righteousness is a mind desiring and seeking God’s truth and justice. This hunger and thirst are satisfied when we immerse ourselves in His Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts and actions. As we pursue righteousness, our minds become attuned to His purposes.

5. Practicing Mercy requires a mind willing to forgive and extend grace. When we choose to be merciful, we reflect God’s character and experience His mercy in return. This mental shift breaks the cycle of judgment and fosters a spirit of compassion.

6. Purity of Heart stems from a mind focused on God’s holiness. We cultivate integrity and see God’s presence dailyby guarding our thoughts and intentions. Purity of heart leads us to deeper intimacy with Him.

7. Being a Peacemaker means actively seekingreconciliation and harmony. A mind committed to peace navigates conflict with grace and wisdom, reflecting God’s desire for unity. In doing so, we are recognized as His children.

8. Enduring Persecution is when our minds are tested for our faith. Yet, Jesus assures us that trials bring blessings and the kingdom of heaven. By focusing on His promises, we find the strength to persevere with joy in the face of adversity.

Let us commit to loving God with our minds by embracing the transformative power of His Word.

As we meditate on the Beatitudes, we align our thoughts, experience His peace, and receive blessings in every aspect of our lives. May our minds reflect His love, guiding us to live as devoted women of faith.

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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December 16, 2024 • Karen Wardle • Mark 12:30, Zechariah 9:9

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. Today, Karen Wardle encourages us to love Jesus with our whole being. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9 ESV). “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 ESV). In Zechariah, we are called to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of our King, Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of this prophesy is exciting and is a reason to celebrate! Jesus’ humility, righteousness, and salvation make us more aware of His love and grace. Yet, a true celebration of Jesus is more than outward expression; it is a posture of the mind. Jesus teaches us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is a call to mindfulness, to be fully present in our relationship with Him. Loving Jesus with your mind means intentionally focusing on His goodness, sacrifice, and presence. It means celebrating Him with words, songs, and every thought that passes through your mind. In my family, Christmas time is buzzing with events and fun activities. There are Christmas concerts and plays to go to. There’s cooking to be done. There’s shopping and package wrapping. In our fast-paced world, we can easily get distracted and lose sight of Jesus, but mindfulness brings us back to the truth that He is always with us, guiding us with His grace. To celebrate Him during this Christmas season (and always) is to fix our thoughts on His love, to meditate on His word, and be aware of His hand in every situation we face. Take a moment today to quiet your mind. Reflect on Jesus' humility, who entered Jerusalem not on a mighty steed but on a humble donkey. Think of His unwavering love for you, a love that led Him from his birth to the cross and resurrection in payment for your sins. Let your heart rejoice, not just with shouts of praise but with a deep, mindful awareness of Jesus. As you love Jesus with your whole being—heart, soul, mind, and strength—you’ll find that every moment becomes an opportunity to celebrate Him. In doing so, you fulfill the command to love God completely and experience the peace and joy that come from living in His presence. Merry 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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December 12, 2024 • Angela Vandagriff • Matthew 2:11

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. Today, Angela Vandagriff encourages us to always seek Jesus relentlessly. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 KJV). I had to travel nine hours to see the birth of my grandchild. Frantically racing to get there before she was born, I still missed her birth. Upon arrival, I walked slowly into the room, my eyes locked on this dark-haired, tiny, beautiful bundle of life, and my heart opened. Tears began to flow down my cheeks, dampening my shirt. I held her tight, snuggling her close to my face. I inhaled the smell of life. The Wise men journeyed through harsh conditions but did not make it in time for the birth of Jesus. No one knows exactly how long their 1200-mile journey took, but it was anything but luxurious and quick. Did their conversation center around the magnificent star leading them? Did they discuss the swirling emotions that filled their hearts over finding Jesus? We are not sure. Picture the wise men finally arriving. They entered the house where young Jesus played on the floor, His mother Mary beside Him. Their eyes gazed upon the Christ Child, and they fell to their knees and worshiped Him. No one knows how long they worshipped. Did tears fall from their eyes and wet the floor? Possibly. They opened their treasures and gave Him gifts fitting for a King of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Close your eyes and imagine holding the Christ Child. Breathe in deeply and inhale the smell of the life that saved yours. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, I encourage you to do as the Wise men did: seek Jesus relentlessly, no matter how hard the journey. Fall down and worship Him. Allow your tears to wet the floor. Open what holds your treasures and heart, and give it to the King of Kings, Christ Jesus, and live changed! Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com