Freedom Devotional

Verse Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.(John 14:30) Message I am going to paraphrase what Jesus said. He said, "the prince of the world is coming, and when he comes, he won't find an iota of darkness in me. He won't find anything in me that is in common with him...he has nothing in me."  Let's be honest with each other, can we all say the same? When Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy our lives (See John 10:10) and our families, will he find darkness in us (our souls)? Will we be carnally minded or lukewarm  when he comes? When Satan or his cohorts come along, will they find anything in you? Will they find, doubt, fear, bitterness, hatred, lust, greed, envy and so on? Will they find darkness or will he be expelled by your light? Our protection from the evil one, is dependent on what we have in us.  Throughout my high school and college years, before I got saved (or delivered fro...

After the gang rape of a 23-year old student in a bus in New Delhi, India, and the case of 17-year-old Anene Booysen who was gang-raped and murdered (her throat slit and body mutilated by a broken bottle) many women began looking for innovative ways to protect themselves from these sex predators. A few months after the above incidents, two high school football players were convicted in an Ohio rape case.  This culminated the fears of many women across the globe. "Are we safe?" They asked. "What do these men want, and how can we protect ourselves from them?" Recently, I read a lengthy article on Facebook.com that gave detailed descriptions on the types of women a typical rapist would like to attack, where they could get raped (if they were not careful enough) and what to do if they ever got attacked. Most of the solutions, were geared at turning young women into amateur ninjas. Other innovative solutions have also been developed to solve this epidemic. According ...

Had I not known there was a way out, or had I not tasted freedom long enough to know His word was true, I would have fallen again. Like a persistent sales man, he came knocking at my door again. If only we could all discern his presence, and his paralytic words. He is the serpent, and his words are venomous. It is said, "crush the head of the serpent, lest it shall bite you". Who sees a snake, and draws close to pet it? Who sees a snake and lies comfortably next to it? Who discerns his venomous words, and continues listening without rebuking him? His words again, are venomous and the more we listen to him, the more his poison takes over our lives. Poison so deadly it kills us in seconds, yet we do not die in the natural; we become zombies: alive naturally, but dead spiritually. One bite turns us into zombies in pursuit of freedom/ a miracle cure unknown to many people. A cure that many people — due to the blinding effect of the poison running through their veins — ca...

We live in a world where we are surrounded by a farrago of trouser-unzipping self-gratifying images (content). Hence, it is now nearly impossible not to stumble upon content, that act as a catalyst for our indulgence in the myriad forms of sex. "Hot, whoa, delicious" are the words we silently utter as our eyes feast on these images. A part of us yearns to continue feasting, like we have been hypnotized by the thoughts that evade our minds, to gratify our eyes. Another part of us, however, wants to be broken free from the jinx. Like a paralyzed rat being swallowed by a snake — unable to move or call for help — we helplessly watch and hope that someone will help us to "snap out of it". Till then, however, we helplessly gratify our eyes till we are turned on like horny dogs in pursuit of their next lady. People ask, do you really think its possible to quit pornography? That's like asking, do you think God can create an orange or a new planet whenever He feels l...

The first question I will like to ask you is, do you love him? If your answer is yes, then you need to pray to God for strength against temptations that will lead you to cheat on him (again). During our moments of weaknesses, that is, when we feel lonely, down or angry, our mind becomes a "temptation playground" and in such moments, it's eminent that you fight off any thoughts that would lead you into temptation, by taking them captive and making them obedient to Christ as Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 10:5, or as Jesus did in Luke 4:1-13.  Thank you...

This is a question that is frequently asked by teenagers and young adults from different religious backgrounds and cultures, and therefore, the best way to answer it, will be to take it first from a neutral perspective before factoring in other views. I will first love to start by throwing a question at you: who determines what is right or wrong? Is it the laws of a country, a God some of us believe in — One who others are yet to know about, or a group of philosophers? Your question, when looked at through a morality or ethical scope, will lead us down a road of endless debates. Obviously not what you are looking for. The question "is it right or wrong?", is usually rooted in the internal battle (temptations) we all go through: to do, or not to do. At the beginning of every temptation, our first reaction is to think of ways to counter it. When this happens, some of us turn to the laws of our religion or country; others, a promise they made to themselves ...

Verses Proverbs 31:3-4 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Message Many of us young folks, have at a point in our lives received advise from our parents or guardians on various topics pertaining to relationships, sex, drugs and probably every other social ill that destroyed the lives of their peers back in their day. We listened to their wise words, and promised never to indulge in certain acts. However as we grew up, things changed. We began doing the very things we promised never to do. Some of us began living secret lives, and this led us to perceive our parents as the enemy. Some of us grew rebellious: a contrast to the kids our parents were advising a few years back. So what happened? Why did we break the promises we made? What caused us to transform into the people we now "hate"? Many of us look in the mirror once in ...

When many guys are heartbroken or when they are burdened with thoughts about a girl they feel they are in love with, they tend to solicit advise from other friends: friends who have either been through their circumstances, or who seem wise enough to give good counsel. An example of this can be found in 2 Samuel 13. The case of Amnon and Jonadab, or rather Amnon and Tamar. In this story we are told that, "Amnon the son of David loved her [Tamar]. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her. " Amnon like many of us can discern right from wrong, and all he, like many of us guys needed was one piece of advise to break down all his defenses. He was probably at the lowest ebb in his life, (See 2 Samuel 13:2) the perfect moment to be deceived by the evil one. As Amnon poured his heart out to Jonadab, Jonadab said, " Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: a...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 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 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...