Freedom Begins Within

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Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome to a brand new month of living in your power.
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I'm your host, Dr. Marlene Greenleaf. And as always, I am just so grateful that
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you've chosen to spend this time with me today.
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As we welcome the month of July, many of us celebrated Independence Day over this past weekend.
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Independence Day is a time to reflect on freedom, sacrifice,
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and the blessings we often enjoy without giving them much thought.
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So, while our nation celebrated freedom, today's episode invites us to consider
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another kind of freedom.
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A freedom that isn't found in our surroundings, but within our hearts.
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Because it is possible to appear free on the outside while still carrying fear,
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worry, regret, or unforgiveness on the inside.
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So this month's theme, it's living free, walking daily in purpose and peace.
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Now throughout this series, we'll explore what it truly means to live with the
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freedom that comes from trusting God, protecting our peace, and walking confidently in our purpose.
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Today's episode, the first in our July series, it's entitled Freedom Begins Within.
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So now let's dive in. Now, when you hear the word freedom, what comes to mind?
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I mean, perhaps you think about independence, the ability to choose,
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the opportunity to pursue your dreams.
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Or maybe you think about breaking free from something that has held you back.
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That something could be fear, doubt, people pleasing. I know I'm guilty of that one.
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The weight of expectations, maybe.
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But the truth is, many of us spend years trying to change our circumstances,
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because we believe that where freedom is found, because we believe,
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I'm sorry, that that's where freedom is found.
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Now, if I had a different job, if I had more time, if things were easier,
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then I'd finally feel free.
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But freedom, my dear listeners, is much deeper than our circumstances.
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True freedom begins within.
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It's found in the way we think The way we trust The way we release what no longer
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serves us And the way we choose to walk forward Even when life isn't perfect.
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Our scripture verse is found in John 8, 36.
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That's the King James Version. It says, If the Son, therefore,
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shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
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Now, this is a popular verse. I'm sure you've heard it many times before.
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If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, You shall be free indeed Now,
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I love the certainty in this verse It doesn't say we might be free It says we shall be free indeed,
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Now that's a promise Jesus wasn't speaking only about external freedom.
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He was speaking about the kind of freedom that changes us from the inside out,
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the freedom to let go of shame the freedom to stop living according to the opinions
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of others the freedom to become who God created us to be,
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and when we begin living from that place our decisions becomes different Our
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relationships become healthier.
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Our leadership becomes more authentic. Why?
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Because we are no longer striving to prove our worth. We're simply living from it.
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One of the greatest shifts we can make is moving from fear to freedom.
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One of the greatest shifts we can make is moving from fear to freedom.
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Fear asks, what if I fail?
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But freedom asks, what if I grow?
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Fear says stay where it's comfortable but freedom whispers trust the next step,
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fear my dear listeners keeps us focused on limitations freedom reminds us of possibilities,
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now living free doesn't mean we won't experience fear from time to time. Absolutely not.
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It simply means that fear no longer gets to make our decisions.
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It means choosing fate over fear, peace over pressure, purpose over perfection.
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And every day we have the opportunity to ask ourselves, Am I making these decisions
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from fear or from freedom?
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That one question, that one question has the power to change everything.
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So now let's return to today's promise. It says, if the Son therefore shall
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make you free, you shall be free indeed.
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Freedom is not something you have to earn, it is something you receive,
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and once you've received it, you can choose to live it.
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Now, our empowerment prompt,
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I want you to spend a few moments reflecting on these questions this week.
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You say, where in my life do I need greater freedom?
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Am I allowing fear to influence my decisions?
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What burdens am I ready to release?
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And what would it change if I fully embraced the freedom God has already given me?
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As always, I'll repeat those prompts for you.
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Reflect on these questions this week.
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Where in my life do I need greater freedom?
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Am I allowing fear to influence my decisions?
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What burdens am I ready to release?
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And what would change if I fully embraced the freedom God has already given me?
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I want you to remember, freedom isn't about having a perfect life. No, not at all.
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It is more about having a heart that is no longer held captive.
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So in closing, my dear listeners, as we begin this new month,
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I hope you'll remember this.
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The greatest freedom you'll ever experience isn't found in changing your circumstances.
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It's found in allowing God to change your heart.
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And when your heart is free, your perspectives changes, your relationships change,
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your purpose becomes clearer, and your peace becomes stronger.
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So I want to thank you for joining me for this first episode in our July series,
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Living Free, Walking Daily in Purpose and Peace.
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Next week we'll continue our journey with choosing peace every day,
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so until next time dear listeners as always I want you to continue to live boldly
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in your power today and if it gets tough just breathe,
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you still got the strength to rise,
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so until next time,
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continue to live in your power.