Freedom Devotional

Verse 2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Message What goes through your mind when you flip through your old photo albums or when you see your baby photos? I don't know about you, but I laugh ( a lot at myself) whenever I see them; and sometimes I smile a bit as I  try to remember what it was like in those days—I believe am not the only one who does this. Anyway. Behind the laughter and smiles, there is one thought we all like to push away when we go through our old albums or baby photos; and the reason we push this thought away is that, we feel there is nothing we can do about it. When this thought emerges, we begin to hate ourselves or someone from our past; we begin to wish we could turn back the hands of time; we sometimes become depressed, shed a few tears and pray for way out of the bondage we may find ourselves in.  Why? Because we were all born as i...

Verse John 1:29 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Message Jesus didn't come to form a religion with a farrago of doctrines and beliefs, or to give people a chance to place denominational tags on themselves and others.  • He came and was sent  so we might have life - His life , Gods life, everlasting life. (John 10:10) • He came to free us from the bondage of sin; to give you and me power over our problems, issues, addictions, diseases and more. (1 John 3:5-6) • He came so you and I would be perfect without sin,  lacking nothing. (John 17:23) • He came so that you and I would become God's very own children with a heavenly inheritance.  (John 1:12) • He came because God loves you. (John 3:16) With him and through him you can throw your past away like it never existed and begin life on a fresh page. He came for you and me, and He will always be there for us; ...

Verse John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Message The big question everyone or some people are asking is, "Why is He (Jesus) the only way?" or "Why isn't so-and-so the way?" They want to know why there aren't many ways to God and what makes Jesus so special; and there is one simple answer: SIN. If whoever we think is the way to the Father or some paradise or heaven, can take away our sins; If who or whatever it is can make us new people, and can give us the power to stop doing the things we do not want to do, then we can all take who or whatever it is to be the way.  As long as you are still struggling or battling with past sins and sin itself or himself, then you either haven't found the way or you have been deceived into going back to your old ways. He is the way, the only way to God. He is righteous and He gives us His righteousness when we accept His offer of sal...

Verse 1 Peter 1:23 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Message What is the corruptible seed? Sin (the power source behind the things we do that we do not want to do—things that always leave us with regrets). Romans 7:19-20 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ( Romans 7:19-20 ) What or who is the incorruptible seed?  The word of God; Jesus; The son of God, life (everlasting life). He (the word of God) came (down as flesh—John 1:14 ) to save us (the people of this world) from the grip or power, sin has over us. He (the word of God) came down to give us a choice. A choice to be born again with  a different seed—the word of God (1 Peter 1:23). This is what it means to accept Christ and to have Him(the word of God) dwell in us. With this new seed, ...

Verses Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Keywords : Grace, Faith  Message How do we receive His grace? God gives His (gift of) grace to us when we humble ourselves (James 4:6-10, 1 Peter 5:5-6) . We can't receive His grace when we act proud, that is, by thinking we can save ourselves. How do we increase our faith or where does faith come from? Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) What are we saved from? We are saved from the bondage of sin; which consequently leads to eternal condemnation or damnation.  Putting all together: Salvation can't be bought or worked for, it is a gift from God; and like every gift we can choose to keep it (His gift), reject it, receive it or receive it and dump it—like many have without knowing.  Further reading: James 4:8-10 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your h...

Verses Matthew 1:21 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Romans 10:9-10 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Message He shall SAVE his people from their sins. He shall save whoever calls upon His name. When people make confessions like:"Lord I  want to be a better person, I  want a more fulfilling life, I have tried everything and I still can't make it on my own, my sins are hurting me, my addictions are destroying me, my past is hunting me. Jesus please save me. This is why you were born, this is why you had to die for us and be raised up. For my sins and the sins of the world. You and only you, and for this you are my Lord. Lord Jesus, you and only you will I wors...

Verses 2 Corinthians 12:9 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Philippians 4:13 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Message "You just don't understand where I am coming from. I can't do it, I can't quit"; "I am tied of trying, maybe I was just born this way, maybe my environment shaped me and made me the way I am". Do you panic when you see the source of your addictions? Do you feel you can never quit doing something you do not want to do? Have you given up on trying? The truth is that in our own power we can never quit; we can never get around our former sources of addictions without being enslaved aga...

Verses Romans 7:18-20 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Message Is sin a noun or a verb? Is it an act of disobedience towards God, or something (maybe a spirit being) that dwells within us (our flesh): one that makes us do things we do not want to do? What is sin and who is a sinner? Sin is both of noun and a verb. It dwells in us and can only control us when we walk according to the flesh—that's why Jesus had to crucify the flesh on the cross  (Galatians 5:24).  It is what drives people to indulge in all the disgraceful, wicked and shameless acts they do, that always leaves them with regrets.  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For ...

Verse Romans 7:20 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Message Me (Talking to sin):  Okay, they win, hail all the people who finally called you human nature. The made songs about you, they wrote books about you and did everything they could (because of you), to tell us we had to live with you. Now people have you in their flesh; they are struggling—and this makes them hate life—but have been blinded to think it's all human nature. Now let me ask you a question. Sin:  Go ahead, I am listening. Me:  What happens to you, Mr. Human nature, when a person becomes born again? Sin:  ???? Me:  They receive God's nature—you can keep your term; and the only way they can have you ruling over them again, is when they begin to accept the lies about "human nature";  or when they start thinking the temptations that come, are just a part of their feelings and not you trying to destroy them again: when the...

Verses Genesis 6:5 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Jeremiah 17:9 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Mark 7:21-23 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Message What goes on through your mind when you: watch TV (the news and others), read the papers, surf some sites or listen to some radio stations? Do you panic because you think the world is totally messed up? Has the world made you paranoid: do you think everybody is wicked, evil and out to get you?  Have you lost trust in humanbeings?  When many people see all the things happening in the world today (the wars, the immora...

Verses 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Message The world is looking for signs; is waiting for a new drug; and some are researching tirelessly to come out with a new solution to sin and it's side-effects (depression and loneliness being numbers one and two on the list). In their foolishness (in the eyes of God) or wisdom (in their own eyes) they call it is human nature. They tell us we were born to do the things we do not want to do; and that we will forever be like this. They tell us all we have to do is to deal with our actions and try to control our emotions et ceterra. Does this work or has this worked? NO or course not. Is this the cause of the countless suicide cases we hear of? Is this the reason why...

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious  (1 Peter 2:2-3)

Verses Matthew 12:43-45 43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Message Going back to your old ways after you have been delivered, doesn't bring back the same devil only but seven; not two or four or maybe five, but seven wicked devils. The question is, what makes the house (your body) empty. The answer lies in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in you...

Verses 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Message 1) How can a person defile this temple?  Ans: Through the works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-21. 2) How will God destroy any man or woman  who defiles His (God's) temple? Ans: They will not inherit the Kingdom of God as we told in Galatians 5:21, but the lake of fire as we are told in Revelations 21:8, Revelations 20:15, Matthew 18:8-9 (and many other places). 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such thin...

Verse John 8:44 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Message Before a person becomes born again, he or she has the nature of Satan and lying plus any of the other "works of the flesh" found  in Galatians 5:19-21, come naturally to that person. After we become born again and are cleansed of every sin you can think of, Satan still tries to get us to lie again. Why? Does he do it because we need quick answers to solve problems? Or does he do it because we are in need of some pick up lines? NO! His major reason for convincing us to lie can be found  in Revelations 21:8. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which ...

Verses 2 Timothy 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Message What type of sermons do you like to hear when you go to church? Do you love to hear things like:You are going to be a billionaire someday; or your boss is going to propose to you after he leaves his wife; or your next door  neighbour is involved in so-and-so; or maybe the names of demons and how they operate or worldly things that make us carnal. Are these the kind of things you like or want to hear? Do you love to hear half-truths like: God wants to bless you, your "miracle" is in the pipeline and so on. Do you love information that makes you love the things of the world?  You see, once you begin to move away from the TRUTH; once you start seeking answers which are not biblical; once you begin to...

Verse 1 Corinthians 2:14 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Message Have you slept in church before :-) ? Do you understand and even remember everything your preacher tells you in church? Do you still do the same things you used to do before you became born again? Your answers to these questions will let you know whether you are spiritually minded or have been deceived again by the things of this world. Every human being can only be on one side: carnal or spiritual. You can't be following evolution theories and expect to have a deep understanding of the things of God, and creation. You can't  be carnally condemning every person who messes up and expect to receive a deeper revelation of sin. You can love the things of the world and God at the same time. If you want to really understand God, your purpose and this world, you will hav...

Verses Genesis 1:27-28 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 2:18 18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Message Have you heard about the story of Adam and Eve? Am sure you have, it's the most famous story in the bible. If you haven't, I will summarize the story here for you. Summary: God created Adam first; Adam was lonely; God created Eve; they were happy together; lucifer (before he became Satan) comes in to cause confusion and to gain what God has given them. End. Now that you know the story (again), I will like you to ponder over the questions below. • Have you ever wonder...

Verse 1 Corinthians 2:9 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Message The devil knows that, God is more than capable to use you mightily on this earth; and he knows that if He does He (God) will not only receive all the glory, but Satan will be a step closer to receiving his final judgement. The devil saw it and was there when Goliath was defeated, when the red sea was divided, when Jesus was raised up from the dead and more. He has seen all the miracles God has performed on this earth, but what he doesn't know is what God is planning to do with you—Note that every miracle performed on this earth counters or destroys the works of the devil. He (Satan) can sense your greatness (which is by the grace of God) and he knows that once you choose to be on the Lord's side, he is in trouble: he knows that God will do more than a miracle in your life. No eye ...

Verses 1 Peter 2:24 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Psalms 30:2 2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. Acts 3:6 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 4:30 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Acts 9:34 34 And Peter said unto him, AEneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. Message They ask: Do you believe in (this thing called) divine healing ? Do you believe people can really be healed by the power in Jesus' name? We retort: Do you believe there are sicknesses that go beyond human understanding; some without cures ? Will you rather die of a disease man can't cure or be hea...

Verses Matthew 5:16 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. John 16:33 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Matthew 28:20 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Peter 3:14-15 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness 'sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Ephesians 6:12 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Acts 16...

Verse Hebrews 12:2 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Message He is the author and doesn't need another author or co-author. He is the word of God and doesn't need human words to make Him complete. He is the truth and must not be turned into a half-truth. He is the author and finisher. He is the one we look up to. He is our goal. Our goal isn't to be like any human being on earth being used by God, but it is to be like Christ who is the fullness of God (See Ephesians 4:11-13). Nothing and no one is above His word, power and authority, and we will be doing ourselves more harm than good to place the words, doctrines and "power" of any human being above His. Humanbeings can be disobedient to God and fall- and when this happens all who believe that the person was a mighty man or woman of God giv...

Verses Luke 11:3-4 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Message The verses above don't say deliver ME from evil, or lead ME not into temptation, or forgive MY sins only, or give ME day by day my daily bread—I believe you get the point. The Lords prayer or prayer in general isn't selfish. It isn't all about you, or it isn't ME based. When we pray we are supposed to factor in the needs and requests of fellow believers and non-believers alike; in the words of Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men [not yourself only or for some people you love] (1 Timothy 2:1)". Amen

Verses 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one John 17:21-22 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: Message The Godhead can be likened to water. God the Father, Son (the Word) and Holy Ghost are one; just as water in the liquid, solid and gaseous form are all the same substance —H2O. They all play different roles but all in all, it is the same God. This is why we are told in Philippians 2:6 that, Jesus was a form of God, just like steam is a form of water. In the same way, God wants us to be one body (the body of Christ:the church) in one Spirit. He has given each and every one of us, different roles with different gifts through the gift of His Holy Spirit—all are given for the edificatio...

Verses 2 Peter 3:3-4 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. Message We all (or maybe some of us) heard that the world was going to end on and on 11/11/11 . This however isn't the first time such false alarms have gone off. There have been various cults groups in the past, who have deceived and killed many people with this same 'end of the world' false alarm—won't get into that now. The question is why? Why the false alarms? Who is behind these false alarms? And are there going to be more false alarms? Yes, there are going to be more; the scoffers we read about in the scripture are the children of the devil, the tares amongst the wheat, who being carnal (not understanding the things of God) have been sent out "to cry wolf". The devil kn...

Verses Ephesians 1:17-18 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,(Ephesians 1:17-18) Message The major difference between an apostate and a believer is that: an apostate TRIED to understand God and quit the Faith when he found out that he couldn't. A believer however does not TRY to understand God because he knows he can't; and that's why he asks God for understanding: For the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God. Many people in the church unfortunately  lack the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God; and for this reason they never grow up—they never move from the Sunday school stage. And it isn't because God doesn't want them to grow, it's just that t...

Verses Matthew 22:14 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Job 33:14-18 14 For God speaketh once,yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,when deep sleep falleth upon men,in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose,and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. Message What does or did Jesus mean by 'many are called,  but few are chosen' ?  Was He trying to tell us that some people have already been condemned; or that some people shouldn't waste their time getting saved? NO! The true meaning behind this verse can be found in Jesus' parable of the sower.      11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, le...

Verse 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14) Message Have you ever said this after praying before? The grace as we usually call it, is said after prayers in group settings. The question however is, what does “the grace” mean, and what does it do for us? His grace helps us in our weaknesses. His grace keeps us strong even when we are weak—His grace is our strength when we are weak. When we are totally weak (that is, when we know that we will beyond doubt fall back into sin) His grace will be there to keep us strong (kind of like a spiritual energy booster).  His grace helps us to overcome our weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9). It’s all about our weaknesses. His love helps us to love our neighbours as God loves us. His love is what pushes us to fulfil His commission—without His Love, we will all live selfish lives not caring about people in bondage to sin and Satan. Perfect...