My son resembles his Taiwanese heritage with straight midnight hair, tan skin, and dark eyes. So when I came across his text message chain with another kid who posted bowls of rice and other racist images, I told him what he needed to do.
“I don’t need you to teach me,” my son replied. “I know what I’m doing.”
Jesus’s relationship with the Jews reminds me of my son’s comment, “I don’t need you to teach me.” As we come to John 8:30, Jesus had been teaching in the temple and many Jews believed in Him because of what He said. Jesus then offered them a truth that could save them from much more than a text message bully—but they didn’t want Jesus’s teaching. They acted like overly confident teenagers, offended by the aged wisdom of the One that they had just come to believe was the Son of God (vv.28–31).
Jesus might have sounded like a parent while telling them, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (vv.31–32). He told them that if the Son set them free, they would be free indeed (v.36).
But the Jews pushed back. I imagine they rolled their eyes like my son, brushing off the redirection they thought they didn’t need. “We don’t need your teaching. We’re Abraham’s descendants and don’t need to be set free from slavery” (paraphrase mine). They thought they were in the know—but they didn’t know they were slaves to sin (Romans 6:15–18).
The fact is, however, we need the same truth the Jews rejected. Unless we, too, hold onto, or know and follow, Jesus’s teachings, we, too, can live as slaves to sin. To be a slave is to live in submission to someone or something. Now, of course we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9), but we also learn to walk with God by practicing God’s teachings. The more we obey Him instead of the pull of our sin, the more freedom we find.
I see this in my own life.
When I soak my mind in God’s word, I increasingly follow the pattern of the Bible’s teachings. “Hold your tongue.” “Be patient.” “Trust the Lord” (Proverbs 21:23, Ephesians 4:2, Proverbs 3:5–6, Romans 6:17). My life is then filled with increasing freedom from sin.
But when I’m not soaked in God’s word, it’s another world. I live in increasing slavery to my desire for control. Anxiety moves in, along with grumbling, jealousy, and discontentment (Philippians 2:14, James 3:16).
Do you ever notice a difference in your life when you meditate on and practice God’s word versus when you don’t? The Jews who argued with Jesus in John 8 had no room for Jesus’s words (John 8:37) and couldn’t hear, or understand and retain, what Jesus said (v.43).
May we hear. May we be ready and open to be washed in the words of the Bible over and over. May we hold onto Jesus’s teachings (v.31), know the truth (v.32), and obey His Word (v.51) because Jesus’s words bring freedom from the power of sin and death—and it is for freedom we have been set free (Galatians 5:1).
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122 thoughts on "The Son Sets You Free"
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Amen
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Jesus’ words bring freedom from the power of sin and death.
One thing that has stayed on my mind the past few readings has been the frustration that Jesus and his believers must have felt during these days. In yesterday’s reading you can almost feel Jesus’ frustration and he says over and over and over again “truly I tell you…” and “why don’t you believe me?” That gives the glimpse of the human in him. It’s something I’m sure we all can relate to. He gives them proof after proof after proof and they still just can’t grasp it. He is what they’ve been waiting for and looking for but they won’t accept him. He isn’t what they’ve expected. The phrase “you can’t see the forest for the trees” comes to mind. He’s standing right in front of them but they keep coming up with excuses, going as far as to say he has a demon. The mic drop at the end as they continue to go on and on about Abraham- “before Abraham was, I am”
Yes! I can tell when I am not in the word. Such a tangible reminder to “prep” for moments when you want to be “soaked”
I have not been taking part in the studies for a while and this time I committed myself. For the past two weeks I have experienced the most challenging times of my life at work .
The person who is supposed to be my 2 nd in charge is not helping me the way k was hoping and is always in defence mode when accountability is required. One of my subordinates has been causing problems which I have to solve and it’s draining me . I’m draining another one but I don’t seem to be doing a great job. Every day the scripture and readings give me courage to keep holding on. Please pray for me to enable to manoeuvre these challenges. Your comments are also very encouraging
Praying Mo. God be with you as you navigate the situation at work.
He is near.. Keep holding on..❤
Thank you Lord for setting this captive free!
Lord hear my prayer. Help me open my ears to your words and open my eyes to see you all around me. Thank you for your abundance of grace that is so undeserving. Help me live by your teachings; be a light to others towards you so that we can rejoice in our freedom. Thank YOU Jesus!
Amen❤️
There is definitely a difference when the Word of God is not read daily and continually versus consistently keeping it in front of us. In fact, that very “DECISION”, if continued to be chosen, leads to sin. Distractions, busyness (which is a form of a distraction), no desire, complacency, etc can all drift us away from the excitements in diving in the word. I’m reminded in Ephesians 6:10-18, that we need to put on the WHOLE ARMOUR of God- the Word of God is part of our armpit. This, along with much more, allows us to stand against the enemy. To stand against the lies Satan, As one Sister put it in her comment, tries to speak over us and our situation. Jesus told the Jews that Satan was a murderer from the very beginning and that there is no truth in him. Satan is a liar and the Father of lies (John 8:44). The Word of God is a weapon against His lies. We must know the Word of God so we can discern the lies of the enemy. Remember Jesus, our example. He was tested in the wilderness by Satan himself (Luke 4:1-13)). Jesus quoted the Word of God in response to Satan saying…. “It is written….” Jesus responded to the temptation in the wilderness by quoting the Word of God, even when Satan tried to use Gods Word to test Him.
Father, help all of us to read your Word daily, so that we will be able to stand firm against the deception and lies of the enemy.
Husband in er fast heart rate, pneumonia and growth on his side so biopsy . May have a fib. Tried 1 med to slow heart didn’t work. Shocked his heart didn’t work. Doing another med.please pray.
Praying!
I’m praying also❣️
Praying, Sandi. Keep us updated please
Sandi, I missed this when I came back at bedtime! I am so sorry and praying for you both and for the medical team! Hugs, sister! ❤
Praying Sandi..
Just seeing this morning, but I am praying now!
The Language of Family and Lineage stood out to me today. The back-and-forth about being Abraham’s children reflects how much they tied their faith to ancestry and heritage.
Jesus redefines what it means to be a true child of God — not bloodline, but belief.
I really love the devotional today, especially with the opening. How discreet the bondage could be. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36. Jesus said this to people who thought they were already “free” because they were descendants of Abraham. This freedom is conditional to us soaking in God’s words and renewing our mind, essential to our transformation. Jesus opens the prison door, but we must walk out and learn to live as free people. The world, the flesh, and the devil still whisper lies. To stay free, we must replace lies with truth, that is the Word. So freedom is both a gift and a process. “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:31–32. A gift is that Jesus sets us free, a process is that we continue to walk in that freedom through truth, prayer, and obedience. So spending 30 hours a week on TV, social media can likely dull and damage the soul, depending on what is being watched and why. The soul is shaped by what it constantly consumes. Our soul (mind, will, and emotions) is like soil. Whatever we sow into it, grows. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. If we constantly feed our mind with worldly values, violence, lust, gossip, or even just empty entertainment, we gradually become desensitized to what is holy, eternal, and true. The soul is a mirror, it reflects what it beholds. If it beholds darkness, it dims. If it walks in light, it shines. Besides, “bad company corrupts good character” 1 Corinthians 15:33. Choose wisely. In today’s world, “walking with bad company” isn’t limited to physical presence anymore. Every time we open our phones, scroll through social media, or binge online content, we are choosing who we “walk with” in our mind and spirit. “Walking with” now includes digital company. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…” Psalm 1:1. Today, that same influence happens when we follow people, online or on screens, who promote ungodly values, pride, gossip, lust, or mockery of righteousness. Social media has made “bad company” portable, we (and our kids) can carry it in our pocket and invite it into our heart any hour of the day. The Bible repeatedly warns, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” Proverbs 4:23. May we pray over our children and who they “walk with”. May their influence be godly. Spending 30 hours a week on God’s words can do wonders to a soul. True freedom comes from walking with Jesus and those who reflect His light. That’s how the soul stays pure and alive.
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Praying:
MARTHA HIX- successful dental bone graft
SANDI- your husband recovery, calm and peace for your heart.
CINDY HANNA – for your brother in law and wisdom for boundaries. What a scary situation.
MICHELLE P – good job and compatible personalities
TINA ❤️
SEARCHING ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
RHONDA J – amen, so good!❤️
Be blessed dear sisters.
Oh, this is SO good, I must copy, as a matter of fact I was talking about this today to one of my butterflies. About being double minded, so I just sent this to her!! She said it was beautifully said too!!
Thanks for this reminder Mercy!!!! Praying for the kids on socials
Great share, Mercy! ❤
Beautiful, Mercy..
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Thank you..❤
Freedom isn’t doing whatever I want, it’s being who I was created to be, unchained by sin and rooted in truth. ❤️
Great insight!
Amen!
Yes may we be in the Word of God everyday as this ministry suggests.
Create in me a clean heart o God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Doing a cat scan. My son is an emt and says their covering all the bases. He drove from urgent care to er. Again Chris said the fact they didn’t send him in an ambulance is a good sign. He’ll probably be able to come home today . I can’t drive his truck but I’ll drive my neighbor up and stay with him but he says he’s fine. The initial i jury is working related for it so they’ll pay for it . Trying not to stress.
Sandi, praying all is stabilized soon! Thankful your son offered encouragement! ❤
Husband in er for low oxygen levels did ekg and chest x-ray. And blood tests. Haven’t even started on pulled muscle.
After a long night trying to catch some sleep in the living room recliner I was awakened at 5:30 by someone banging around in our mudroom back bathroom. Thought it was my husband but then I heard our shower turn on at the opposite end of the house.. Long story short it turned out my homeless brother in law had let himself in. I wasn’t happy. This is kind of behavior is happening more often and after 10 months I am starting to question when we will get our lives /privacy back..Not really sure what the godly thing to do is anymore…
Prayers for a listening ear to the Will and wisdom of God in this situation.
Praying for you! I’ve gone through that experience with my youngest son. He was 25, and he went to live with his dad. 10 years later he has completely disappeared, but God has given me peace of heart. Wait on the Lord, and He will direct you.
I am so sorry Gayle, but so glad God gave you peace in the situation!
Prayers Cindy! That is so hard- to help, or help by not helping. :/
Mornung, sisters! I am LATE to the table so I haven’t read comments yet. Apologies for any redundancy!
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FROM HE READS TRUTH-
“… earthly solutions are rooted in passing philosophies and temporary treasures. That ship has no anchor, so it just drifts from one idea to the next.
In contrast, Jesus grounded His message in the truth of the gospel, the good news that His death pays the price for our sin. When we accept Him, His truth sets us free once and for all (John 8:36). He offers more freedom than culture could ever provide—and more than we can ever imagine.
But it starts with the truth. As Charles Colson discovered, His truth breaks our chains. His truth sets us free.
Written by Bob Bunn”
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V. 41 of John 8- this really jumped out at me today and I thought they are talking trash to Jesus about His birthday! Thinking I must be over reacting/misreading, I went straight to John MacArthur Study Bible and saw this:
“‘We were not born of fornication.’- The Jews may well have been referring to the controversy surrounding Jesus’ birth. The Jews knew the story about Mary’s betrothal and that Joseph was not Jesus’ real father; thus they implied that Jesus’ birth was illegitimate (see Matt. 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38).”
And from WIERSBE- “‘We were not born of fornication’ — was a slur on our Lord’s own birth and character. After all, Mary was with child before she and Joseph were married. But the personal attacks in verse 48 are quite obvious. For a Jew to be called a Samaritan was the grossest of insults, and then to be called demon-possessed only added further insult.”
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That blows my mind! I knew those people were arrogant and maintained a certain level of power from their heritage, but that is just bold (in the wrong, worldly way)! Come judgment day, I would not want to be the person who voiced that question!
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SEANA, thanks so much for sharing your personal journey with the ” non-listening ears”. I am so sorry about this happening to your son. ❤
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Bob’s last statement reminded me of the song we sing at church: Break Every Chain.
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The non-hearers were ignorantly in bondage to religion, but Jesus came to free them to a relationship. Too bad they refused to accept His gift.
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SEANA’S last statement says it all:
“May we hear. May we be ready and open to be washed in the words of the Bible over and over. May we hold onto Jesus’s teachings (v.31), know the truth (v.32), and obey His Word (v.51) because Jesus’s words bring freedom from the power of sin and death—and it is for freedom we have been set free (Galatians 5:1).
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Well, thank you so much for this, I think I breezed passed it even though it didn’t make sense!
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I’m so encouraged by this teaching. I had just finished confessing my imperfections because I was convicted of a pattern that does not look like it’s a sin. And then I read this teaching that is taking about slacking ourselves into God’s word daily and all the spirals of anxiety, jealousy, know it all …. will fade.
I agree with Seana that when I’m soaked in God’s word I’m better. When I’m not my old nature returns.
So thankful that Jesus has set us free. It’s a daily surrender to His plan not mine. Help me Lord!
Praying for all
Seana’s devotion puts my desire for control in a new light.
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Free indeed. I am, so act like it!
May we hear. May we be ready and open to be washed in the words of the Bible over and over. “May we hold onto Jesus’s teachings (v.31), know the truth (v.32), and obey His Word (v.51) because Jesus’s words bring freedom from the power of sin and death—and it is for freedom we have been set free (Galatians 5:1).”!♥️Thanks Seana!
Amen, Amen!!
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Amen!❤❤
Just as Romans 6:17 stood out to Cathy Tubby, it also caught my attention. To obey in any other way than with the heart is not obedience. It made me think of the “story” of the child who was told by their parents to sit down! The child’s thought was, “I’m sitting down but I’m standing up in my heart!”
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Obedience isn’t obedience if it is not complete and not done with the right heart attitude.
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This is a great reminder for me this morning.
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Today, Seana’s words will be my prayer.
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Lord, may I hear. May I be ready and
open to be washed in the words of the Bible over and over. May I hold onto Jesus’s teachings, know the truth and obey His word.
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Another thought I had from John 8:43-47…Why was it so hard for the Jews (and for the world today) to believe the truth that Jesus shared, yet it was so easy for them to believe the lies of Satan?
God’s word is peace, His word is life. He is a good, good Father that offers us freedom from sin and salvation. Yet so many still reject Him. Including my two sons.
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Father God, open the eyes of the blind. Turn their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Open their ears, cause them to hear that they may receive forgiveness of sins. Never stop wooing them to Yourself by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name.
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The song that immediately came to mind – was the same as Tina mentioned, Who You Say I Am by Hillsong…Who the Son sets free, Oh is free indeed!!
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Happy Monday She’s – have a blessings filled day today! ❤️
Thank you for giving us the title of the song, lol, I kept asking Alexa to play..”Child of God,” (no wonder!! lol)
I love what you shared. Lord, keep wooing our family to you, let their hearts be open to receiving YOU today!!
I love, Love, LOVE that song!
Yes… Our Precious Prodigals… so grateful that you love them more than we do, Father… Yes! Keep “wooing them with YOUR Love”!!! ❤️
AMEN! ❤️
This devotional written by Seana, is so true. We too, often think we know what we know. I am reminded up myself, brought up in church, that I knew my convictions well. I knew God was God, He sent his Son Jesus, to rescue us, go to the cross, and save us to be in heaven with him one day!! Pretty straight forward, and indeed, it is what we should all know and believe if we are Christians. Yet–if don’t go beyond that knowledge, and stay in the word, and develop a relationship (which is knowing someone better and better) with Jesus, we stay stagnet. Not only stuck, we can drift away, fall more into sin. Or fall for the devils lies. These words–
“You are of your father the devil,s and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth,v because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies”
Ouch. I don’t want to have the scale over my eyes. But God has given me wisdom, he is faithful to do that as I commune with him non-stop over the decades. You think, how can it happen, I go to church every week. But if we only hear what a pastor is saying, we can easily be fooled. There is indeed a separation coming, as two will be in a field together, and one taken. The wheat and tares are together, hard to see the difference on the surface. Two will be sitting in a pew, one will be taken.
There is a move of the devil in the Christian world, replacement theology. Meaning that Christians have replaced Israel. I implore you to be serious in the current affairs, prophecy is there and true. It all comes to fulfillment. We have nothing, with our God’s chosen people, we were grafted in, Hallelujah, we did not replace them. They have gone away, as they did over and over in history, But God- many will be saved, (we know 144,000). There is only one King- King Jesus!! And every knee will bow when all eyes will see him coming from the clouds with the saints! But we must keep our lamps lit, the bride waiting for her groom!! Like a thief in the night, he will come!
If we are in a relationship with Jesus, you will see continual transformation. The more fruit you will sow, the more your words speak Truth. The more you love him deeply. Your actions show! And also, you see the devils lies! The Son sets us free from all burdens that weigh us down.
Seana says it perfectly-
When I soak my mind in God’s word, I increasingly follow the pattern of the Bible’s teachings. “Hold your tongue.” “Be patient.” “Trust the Lord”
My life is then filled with increasing freedom from sin.
SO good!!
Have a wonderful day She’s!
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I am so thankful we serve a living Father, Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Help me to remember you Father are in control of my day, my week, my every moment and I don’t have to have anxiety or worry of what will happen as You are always with me. Direct my thoughts and actions today and may I bring glory to You in all that I do. Please heal my illness in your time and help me to soak up your word while I am not able to work. I love you Lord and thank you for She Reads Truth and all the ladies around the world who love you and want to more more about your truth.
Amen!
Praying for you Sundayschoolteacher. ❤️
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These verses are so needed in our day to anchor and reorient the wayward heart. We get so easily distracted and pulled away from what we need forgetting that our greatest place of hope, peace, guidance, wisdom, joy and so much more comes from the true freedom we find in Christ. Being committed to Him, investing in spiritual practices is essential to our walk with the Lord and yet we so often forget to just sit at the feet of Jesus, to meditate and dwell on the Word. These words from the devotional would be my prayer – for myself and for us all.❤️
“May we hear. May we be ready and open to be washed in the words of the Bible over and over. May we hold onto Jesus’s teachings (v.31), know the truth (v.32), and obey His Word (v.51) because Jesus’s words bring freedom from the power of sin and death—and it is for freedom we have been set free (Galatians 5:1).” Heavenly Father, lead me in our way. Thank you that true freedom is found in you. Amen
Thank you again for your prayers and also your sweet words of joy for our weekend travels and visit.❤️
I would appreciate your continued prayers for my health and hard decisions that need to be made. I just have so many different things coming at me right now – many appts, waiting for other appts and then so much information treatment related to wade through that its not easy to discern what is best and its been really overwhelming. Thank you❤️
I will be praying for you Wendy, may God give you wisdom in every decision that you need to make.
Yes, Amen. Holding you up Wendy, praying for discernment in the listening.
Praying for you, Wendy. ❤️
Beautiful post, Wendy! I am so thankful your travels went well and that you had that special family time! I will be praying for you as you plow through this snowbank of information on your healthcare options. I am thankful for the technology, but prayerful for wisdom for you and your team in just the right choices. Hugs, sister! ❤
Praying.
Maybe throw a psalm or a hymn between the medical paperwork readings to recenter and breathe.
Yes. Kelly, thank you for this reminder – lots of Psalms and songs of praise are many days my anchor ❤️
Thank you all so much❤️
Thank you for your mercy and grace, Lord. ❤️
I’d appreciate your prayers for peace and healing on Tuesday morning when I will be having two bone grafts due to bone loss reflected on x-rays two years apart taken by my dental hygienist.
I wasn’t expecting so many physical grafts this year… but I smiled when I thought how we are grafted into God‘s Kingdom through Jesus!
Thank you, Lord!
Love you sweet She’s and praying for your requests as well! ❤️
I will be praying for you Martha!
We will be praying for you our dear Martha!
God bless you in this, Martha! ❤ love your connection with grafting!
Praying Martha for peace of heart as you go through the dental procedure..❤
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This verse from the Romans reading really caught my attention this morning, Romans 6:17 when it speaks of obeying from the heart, I haven’t noticed that before. It distinguished for me, obeying because we know it is what is expected of us, vs obeying because it has become part of us, because it is our desire, it has become who we are, thanks to His grace. I pray that God will grow in me, obedience from heart, not just my head.
I love how scripture continues to reveal new things to us in passages we have read many times. There are always new truths revealed.
The “pull of sin” stood out to me today.
I start my morning feasting on God ‘s word
As one who is a descendant of slaves, I have struggled over the years with being free from people’s words, people’s racist comments. People’s downward look as they only saw a colour and not a human being just like them, or even one that bled, hurt, or felt as they did..
Shakespeare wrote in his The merchant of Venice, “..if you tickle us do we not laugh, if you cut us do we not bleed, and if you poison us do we not die..’
I love and understand this devotional today so well.. that it is ONLY JESUS AND JESUS ALONE, that can set us free, mores to the point, FREE INDEED!
Free from..
The feeling of unworthiness.
The feeling of negativity
The yolk of long ago..
The feeling of rejection and hopelessness.
The carrying of others and past sins and rage.
The hurt and pain of a graceless time..
Our sins..
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BUT GOD..
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Oh my, But God.. He sent His Son to set us free in a spectacular and undeserved style. He stood where we should have stood and opened His arms in love and grace, mercy and hope, on that cross.. He opened His arms, and took what should have been our punishment..
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I hear the words of the Hillsong song in my head…
Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?
I was lost, but He brought me in
Oh, His love for me
Oh, His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me
Yes, He died for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God, yes I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
Oh, I am who You say I am
Yes, I am who You say I am
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God, yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God, yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God, yes I am.
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Yes i am a sinner. Yes i am a wrong un. Yes i am one in need of a Saviour without a doubt.. but my heart feels lighter, freer, happier, whole, purposed to follow. There is a knowing. A forever hope.
Who the Son sets free is indeed free.
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I am free.
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I am free.
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We are free.
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Amen..
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Happy Monday my dears.. prayerful you live in that freedom afforded us by and in Jesus’s love and grace..
Much love..x
Free from sin and guilt. O the joy
I thought of that song right away as well.
It is powerful!
Thank you for sharing your heart on this Tina. Your words are wise and insightful. And as soon as I read the title for today the same song came to mind❤️
I too thought of this song – as soon as I read the title of today’s lesson. Free in deed!
I responded to SJG with this… I love, Love, LOVE that song!
TINA, my heart aches for any shunning you and others have endured! Love you, sister! ❤
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Such a great song and as we sing it at church the truth is so comforting.
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I thought of y’all (my dancing sisters!) yesterday as we sang the first song: Every Praise! What a great way to begin worship!
Well this was certainly convinting, ouch! “I live in increasing slavery to my need for control. Lord give the the grace to surrender control to trust your will and wait on your timing. Amen
Pray for my husband he pulled a muscle at work and also as this long term cough. He’s going in to urgent care now because the injury happened at work. Please calm my anxious heart.
Praying
Father God, please calm Sandi’s anxious heart. You are our peace, you are our fortress. Give wisdom to those treating her husband at urgent care and please give him healing from his work injury and his long term cough. Help Sandi to “be still” and rest in your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.
Amen, praying this with you!
Thankyou
Praying Sandi
Praying
Praying all will be well
Praying for your anxious heart, Sandi.
It is well..❤
My NKJV has another “I AM” statement in verse 58. I have added it to the list, curious why it was not included as it seems very important. Doesn’t it refer back to Moses when he asked God for His name, and God said, I AM .
I love that verse so profound
” Jesus said it’s not so much belief in the truth but knowing the truth. Following Jesus, holding to his teaching, leads to knowing him, and knowing him more leads to real freedom. There is a way of believing that leads to more knowledge, and there is a way of believing that leads to knowing. To be clear, knowledge of God can lead to knowing God, but all to often we amass more knowledge about God that does not lead to knowing him. This way of believing leads to a kind of activity that seems like faithfulness( as in faithfulness to what one knows) but only masquerades ad obedience to truth.
Here’s the hard truth. We can be faithful to the forms of faith we have always known, all the while remaining enslaved to sin. Strangely enough our well -meaning faith can keep us from freedom. We must know Jesus. He said, ” I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me (John 14:6) A child of Abraham won’t cut it. A Methodist or Baptist won’t cut it. Jesus only. Jesus ever. Jesus always.” – JD Walt
My take away: Like the Jews of Jesus’s time we can make a religion out of our faith and lose the real sight of Jesus,
Good Word Tanya. I had much religion in me, but was a slave to sin and myself. It wasn’t until I began to be in the word daily, and time with Jesus that a relationship blossoms! The funny thing is you don’t know what you don’t know. Just like the jews in this passage. They just couldn’t reconcile what was being said. We too get set in our convictions, rather than prayerfully asking God the truth. The devil is a great deceiver, disguised as light.
Thanks so much for this word. Very true, very thoughtful and full of thoughts for me to mull over today.
I wrote a comment earlier as I waited for my eyes test appointment. I sat in a coffee shop as I was early.. and I laid bare my heart..
I got into my appointment and I pressed send.
It didn’t send because there was not signal, so between the no signal and my coming out 45 minutes late my whole piece has disappeared… if I can retrieve it, i don’t know where from, gutted!
Thanking God however that i had a rough paper copy, so waiting for the coffee and will sit down at dining table, to rewrite my comment, until then, my loves.. Good morning!❤️
I experience that same domino effect of frustrating occurrences all the time. It’s wearisome. When I have a long response, I first type it in a Google or Word doc. It saves your work as you type. Then I copy and paste into response or text. And because you share your life in your responses, you will have a digital copy of your life story others can read in the future.
John 8:31-32 …Jesus said … “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
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What a speech, and what a choice, one that should be clear cut – choose to be a slave of sin and the father of lies, or choose to believe in the truth of Jesus and be made free.
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Praying for the lost to realize their need for freedom and truth. All the lost hurt my heart, but especially those who have known the truth and turned their backs on it. Pastor said last week, speak truth into situations so the devil doesn’t get to whisper into any. Praying all will hear the truth of Christ over the lies of the devil.
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Reading I AM … I get a chill at the truth of this statement. In awe my Savior, Jesus.
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He Set Me Free, written by Albert E Brumley, Sr., 1939
Glory to God, He set me free … Hallelujah, sisters!
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Because of Jesus, Charity Gayle, written by Charity Gayle, Ryan Kennedy, Hannah Musso, Steven Musso and Magen Thurman
“…speak truth into situations so the devil doesn’t get to whisper into any. Praying all will hear the truth of Christ over the lies of the devil.” Amen and amen! ❤ .
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Great songs!!!
Amen
I know I need this freedom. I have been so “busy” not being in God’s Word and freedom from sin has left me. My anxiety, anger, jealousy, and hurt are high and I know it is due to the lack of time with the Lord. I appreciate this devotion today. Father, forgive me for not being in Your Word like I should. Clear my head and direct my thoughts to You. Put down the phone. Cut off the tv. Pick up my Bible! Thank You, Jesus. Amen
Tara- Right there with you sister! May God use our time in SRT to encourage us and draw us to ENJOY AND DESIRE our reading time in His word!
Amen. Tara, I’m praying this prayer as well.
I love that you shared this Tara, it shows truth in the scripture. When we stay close to Jesus, we are free, but when we forget and distracted, doing in our own way-chaos. The Son sets us free!
Same, girl. I jumped back into SRT last week after a long hiatus of trying to do a read through on my own. I stuck with that from January to June and then it all fell apart. I realized I need this type of structure, and while I don’t usually comment, it helps me to be accountable to myself. Scripture, devo, prayer journal and coffee before I tackle my hair, lol.
Indeed, thanks for sharing this so well. I am praying this as well.
I don’t believe in politics. I noticed lately that I have become more anxious about the present times because I have listened to the events in the news. I believe in Freedom- the freedom that God has set us free. This devotion was powerful , and the Bible verses convicted me to “soak” in the Word. The pull of sin to worry is a sign that I have not been.
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Father, wash me with your Word. Help me to see with your eyes and follow where you lead.
Amen
“The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.”
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So true of those who have yet to surrender their hearts to Jesus. My husband often reminds my that those in the world are only acting/believing/speaking what they believe/know.
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Yet as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).
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LORD, help me to live like You are my Father and walk in the freedom from sin that Christ’s blood paid for.
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BEE BEE – praying the Lord fills you with His peace and wisdom in caring for your parents.
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MICHELLE P – praying the Lord gives you a clear path to a job that will provide what you need to move.
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MARI V – safe travels home.
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Happy Monday ❤️
“some of you used to be like this”
Praise God, I am not anymore.
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Joining you in prayer for these sisters.
Father forgive my sin and doubt. Reward my faith. In Jesus name, Amen
Amen.
Amen❤️