The Bible is a living, breathing book. It's not just a book of stories, it is the inspired Word of God, which was written by witnesses of God's Goodness, Might, Wrath, Grace, and Love. The 66 books of the bible contain 100% true, real eye-witness accounts of God's work in the world. It is the most owned book in history, containing the guidelines for life. It's the most powerful book of all time. The Bible is God's Love story to humanity. |
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Living in the United States, we often have conversations about freedom. When we watch international news and see the horrible events that are happening throughout the world, we should remember that we're so blessed to live in a country that was built on the idea of liberty. We're always talking about the rights and freedoms of citizens in daily life, but one conversation that never seems to come to mind is the idea of spiritual freedom and redemption in the cross.
"...Christ has truly set us free."
(Galatians 5:1)
As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ came to earth (being the Son of God as well as being God in the flesh) to redeem and save us from the inevitable punishment for sin: death. {Click here to read more about Jesus and His sacrifice for humanity➳} While Jesus lived on the earth, His disciples naturally developed tough questions, one being about how one gets to heaven.
“'I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.'"
(John 14:6)
When answering Thomas' great question about how we know where we're going after death, Jesus proclaims that He is the truth. We can recall earlier in the gospel of John that the Word (the Bible) was with God and that the Word became flesh (Jesus). We know from various places in the Bible that the Word of God is the only truth. (2 Timothy 3:16, John 17:17) Not only did Jesus say that He is the truth but He also said:
"'...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
(John 8:32)
This may be confusing at first, but try to look at the full picture:
If the Word became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ and we know that the Word is truth and that the truth sets free, we know that the only way to true freedom is through Jesus Christ.
If the Word became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ and we know that the Word is truth and that the truth sets free, we know that the only way to true freedom is through Jesus Christ.
Freedom from Sin
An overview of the gospel in 5 sentences:
Adam and Eve, the first people on earth, disobeyed God and sin entered the world.
Sin is now in all of us at birth.
Sin makes it impossible for us to see God because He is perfect and Holy.
The punishment for sin, therefore, is death.
Jesus took our sins and died so that we don't have to, and accepting Him allows us to see God.
Not only do we not have to face the punishment for sin when we accept Jesus, but we have power over our sins. When we decide to let Jesus into our lives, His Holy Spirit enters us as well. The Holy Spirit is so incredibly powerful!
Whenever we sin, that is at the fault of our human nature, or what the bible calls "flesh." Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God's instructions is what created this "flesh" within all of us.
The Holy Spirit, however, has not even an ounce of human nature or sin within it, because it is from our perfect, sinless God. If we choose to accept Jesus which "comes with" the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, we can command holiness and strength over our sinful nature. When you feel like sinning or are struggling with a specific sin, you can declare the self-control fruit of the Holy Spirit over your circumstances. (Galatians 5:22-23)
God calls us to live through and by the spirit and to denounce our sinful nature. We know that God's way is ALWAYS the best way, and living as holy of a life as we can will bring us the freedom of Christ.
We will always struggle with the battle between flesh and spirit, but accepting Jesus is the first step to getting closer to freedom from sin.
Read more about life in the flesh vs. life in The Spirit ➳
Read more about overcoming sin ➳
Adam and Eve, the first people on earth, disobeyed God and sin entered the world.
Sin is now in all of us at birth.
Sin makes it impossible for us to see God because He is perfect and Holy.
The punishment for sin, therefore, is death.
Jesus took our sins and died so that we don't have to, and accepting Him allows us to see God.
Not only do we not have to face the punishment for sin when we accept Jesus, but we have power over our sins. When we decide to let Jesus into our lives, His Holy Spirit enters us as well. The Holy Spirit is so incredibly powerful!
Whenever we sin, that is at the fault of our human nature, or what the bible calls "flesh." Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God's instructions is what created this "flesh" within all of us.
The Holy Spirit, however, has not even an ounce of human nature or sin within it, because it is from our perfect, sinless God. If we choose to accept Jesus which "comes with" the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, we can command holiness and strength over our sinful nature. When you feel like sinning or are struggling with a specific sin, you can declare the self-control fruit of the Holy Spirit over your circumstances. (Galatians 5:22-23)
God calls us to live through and by the spirit and to denounce our sinful nature. We know that God's way is ALWAYS the best way, and living as holy of a life as we can will bring us the freedom of Christ.
We will always struggle with the battle between flesh and spirit, but accepting Jesus is the first step to getting closer to freedom from sin.
Read more about life in the flesh vs. life in The Spirit ➳
Read more about overcoming sin ➳
Redemption & Freedom from Illness & Suffering
God never wants us to suffer. He wants us to prosper and flourish in our lives. Nothing of suffering or pain is from our God, but of the enemy. However, although God sometimes allows us to live in hard circumstances {Read more about God's reasons for allowing pain ➳}, we are actually all redeemed through Christ from our illnesses and hardships.
In chapter 28 of one of the very first books of the bible, Deuteronomy, Moses outlines God's punishments for disobeying Him. However, remember that when we accept Jesus, we are freed from sin's grip and therefore we are redeemed from all the punishments that were outlined, which include illness and physical suffering.
Not only does Jesus take away these sufferings because He took the punishments for sin, but He is also our healer. Recall in the gospels when He healed the blind, deaf, mute, paralyzed and even raised a man from the dead! Still today, thousands of people come out and speak about how Jesus healed them or their loved ones of illnesses like cancer, depression and several incurable diseases.
Surely if you call on the name of Jesus to heal you and if you command the illness out of your body, He will heal you!! You may not feel different or be healed instantly, but you have to remember that just the smallest seed of faith can produce the greatest harvest of blessings. Keep believing and declaring truth over your body and your circumstances, grow your relationship with Jesus, pray hard, and you will be healed!
Remember the fruits of the Holy Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. The Holy Spirit brings peace to us: peace of freedom from suffering of any kind.
In chapter 28 of one of the very first books of the bible, Deuteronomy, Moses outlines God's punishments for disobeying Him. However, remember that when we accept Jesus, we are freed from sin's grip and therefore we are redeemed from all the punishments that were outlined, which include illness and physical suffering.
Not only does Jesus take away these sufferings because He took the punishments for sin, but He is also our healer. Recall in the gospels when He healed the blind, deaf, mute, paralyzed and even raised a man from the dead! Still today, thousands of people come out and speak about how Jesus healed them or their loved ones of illnesses like cancer, depression and several incurable diseases.
Surely if you call on the name of Jesus to heal you and if you command the illness out of your body, He will heal you!! You may not feel different or be healed instantly, but you have to remember that just the smallest seed of faith can produce the greatest harvest of blessings. Keep believing and declaring truth over your body and your circumstances, grow your relationship with Jesus, pray hard, and you will be healed!
Remember the fruits of the Holy Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. The Holy Spirit brings peace to us: peace of freedom from suffering of any kind.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Romans 5:1)
Ultimately, it is when we surrender our own wills to take on God's that we will find true freedom. Again, God's way is always, ALWAYS the right way. His plan is perfect and divine. God designed life perfectly, so if we live the way He designed it, (through the Holy Spirit) we will be fulfilled, joyful and free.
Songs of the Week:
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We all go through tough times. Sometimes we don't have any sense of hope, and we feel like the world is falling from under our feet. Maybe you're not doing too well in school. Maybe you just ended a serious relationship. Maybe you're losing a friend. Maybe a loved one is sick. Maybe your home life isn't the best. Maybe you're battling depression or anxiety. Whatever you're going through, the most important thing is that you're handling it in the best way possible.
Many people try to self-medicate. They may think that alcohol or drugs will take away their pain, although all they really do is mask it for a little while and destroy their body, personality, and a lot of times... their life. Others feed into the lie that things can't get better, or that there simply just isn't any hope. The enemy likes to put doubt, fear, and desperation in your heart when you face hardship, whereas God will give you hope, unconditional Love and guidance. The best medication for pain is faith.
Being made in the image of God, (Genesis 1:27) we must learn to see things from His perspective. Though you may feel as though everything is going wrong, everything may be going perfect in His vision for your life. Only He knows what the plans are for you and what your future holds.
Many people try to self-medicate. They may think that alcohol or drugs will take away their pain, although all they really do is mask it for a little while and destroy their body, personality, and a lot of times... their life. Others feed into the lie that things can't get better, or that there simply just isn't any hope. The enemy likes to put doubt, fear, and desperation in your heart when you face hardship, whereas God will give you hope, unconditional Love and guidance. The best medication for pain is faith.
Being made in the image of God, (Genesis 1:27) we must learn to see things from His perspective. Though you may feel as though everything is going wrong, everything may be going perfect in His vision for your life. Only He knows what the plans are for you and what your future holds.
"'For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"
(Jeremiah 29:11)
You may go through times in your life where you question why things are happening or why your problems won't just go away, but when you step back and look at everything as a whole, remember that God is in control of your life and that He has the final word.
Think of your life in this way: there is always a point of every story or every book where the main character goes through a trial, and they often don't have a sense of hope. However, by the end of the story, everything seems to work out, and sometimes the character even looks back on the trial and is grateful that it brought them to the point they're at in the end. After the character overcomes their hardship, they demonstrate growth. Before you were even born, God wrote your life story, as if He was writing a book. This time, you're the main character, and the author, God, wrote you into a trial, but at exactly the right time in the story, that is, your life story. God will bring you through tough times to help you grow as a person, as a believer and also to bring you closer to Him.
When I have troubles in my life, I like to remember the phrase, "God is on the throne." He is God over ALL! No matter how horrible your circumstances are, God is planning something bigger, better, and more beautiful than you could ever imagine. God works in mysterious ways!! He is so unpredictable, yet never-changing. He is such an almighty and righteous God. His name and presence is above everything: any problem of this earthly world. Trusting God is the key to overcoming circumstances you don't understand. You just have to trust that He is on the Throne.
God is your provider, your shield, your father, your healer. He will never leave you...ever. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
No matter what you go through, God will be holding your hand the whole time.
We have to deal with our troubles the way God instructs us to in order to overcome our circumstances and learn from them the way God intended us to.
Think of your life in this way: there is always a point of every story or every book where the main character goes through a trial, and they often don't have a sense of hope. However, by the end of the story, everything seems to work out, and sometimes the character even looks back on the trial and is grateful that it brought them to the point they're at in the end. After the character overcomes their hardship, they demonstrate growth. Before you were even born, God wrote your life story, as if He was writing a book. This time, you're the main character, and the author, God, wrote you into a trial, but at exactly the right time in the story, that is, your life story. God will bring you through tough times to help you grow as a person, as a believer and also to bring you closer to Him.
When I have troubles in my life, I like to remember the phrase, "God is on the throne." He is God over ALL! No matter how horrible your circumstances are, God is planning something bigger, better, and more beautiful than you could ever imagine. God works in mysterious ways!! He is so unpredictable, yet never-changing. He is such an almighty and righteous God. His name and presence is above everything: any problem of this earthly world. Trusting God is the key to overcoming circumstances you don't understand. You just have to trust that He is on the Throne.
God is your provider, your shield, your father, your healer. He will never leave you...ever. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
No matter what you go through, God will be holding your hand the whole time.
We have to deal with our troubles the way God instructs us to in order to overcome our circumstances and learn from them the way God intended us to.
"'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
(Isaiah 43:1-2)
Jesus Christ Himself even endured pain: not only physically on the cross, but He experienced extremely painful feelings when He realized it was time to sacrifice Himself for humanity. Scripture even goes as far as to say that "He began to be sorrowful and troubled." (Matthew 26:37) He pleaded to God, "'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'... Again, for the second time, He went away and prayed, 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done'" (Matthew 26:39,42).
The bible clearly states that Jesus indeed felt sorrowful, but it also states that He trusted God even when it was the hardest thing to do. Note how Jesus says "Your will be done" and denies His own will. This shows humility and surrender... He trusted God's plan over His own. Imagine if Jesus didn't trust God and decided to end His sorrow by abandoning His purpose of dying on the cross for us. Where would we be now?
As followers of Christ, we are called to live as He did and mimic His actions because we know He lived a perfect, Holy life! Just as Jesus demonstrated, it's so important for us to trust God in the midst of pain. We will never know why God puts us in these hard places unless we take up our own cross and trust God all the way through. He might just surprise you in the end!!
The bible clearly states that Jesus indeed felt sorrowful, but it also states that He trusted God even when it was the hardest thing to do. Note how Jesus says "Your will be done" and denies His own will. This shows humility and surrender... He trusted God's plan over His own. Imagine if Jesus didn't trust God and decided to end His sorrow by abandoning His purpose of dying on the cross for us. Where would we be now?
As followers of Christ, we are called to live as He did and mimic His actions because we know He lived a perfect, Holy life! Just as Jesus demonstrated, it's so important for us to trust God in the midst of pain. We will never know why God puts us in these hard places unless we take up our own cross and trust God all the way through. He might just surprise you in the end!!
"'You don't understand what I am doing now, but someday you will.'"
(John 13:7)
If you're going through a tough time, ask God to help you trust Him. When you feel like there's no hope, remember that God has a plan for you! Develop the habit of whispering "Jesus, I trust You" whenever your soul is overcome with pain. You WILL endure! Christ will bring you through!!
If you've been going through a tough time or have been struggling with something and would like some prayers, you can submit your requests here.
Much love,
If you've been going through a tough time or have been struggling with something and would like some prayers, you can submit your requests here.
Much love,
Scripture to remember:
- "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
- "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
- "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!" (Psalm 20:1)
- "'For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord 'they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" (Jeremiah 29:11)
- "'You don't understand what I am doing now, but someday you will.'"(John 13:7)
- "We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us." (Romans 8:18)
Songs of the week:
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About the Author
Hi! I'm Angie! I'm a college student, worship leader, pro-life advocate, future teacher, youth ministry intern, and above all else, follower of Jesus Christ. I would love to get to know you!
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