When Jesus spoke these words, he was addressing a crowd of Jews who believed in him. He was explaining that true freedom comes from knowing and embracing the truth, specifically the truth that he is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.
In a broader sense, Jesus was referring to the spiritual freedom that can be experienced by embracing his teachings and the message of salvation. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the truth about our sinful nature, our need for redemption, and the transformative power of his sacrifice on the cross.
By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are set free from the bondage of sin and its consequences. This freedom encompasses not only forgiveness for our past sins but also liberation from the power of sin in our daily lives.
Furthermore, the truth that Jesus is referring to extends beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It involves a personal relationship with him, a deep and heartfelt belief in his teachings, and a willingness to live in accordance with his commandments.
Through this truth, we find a renewed sense of purpose, hope, and eternal life in God’s kingdom. It is a freedom that transcends worldly circumstances and grants us the assurance of God’s love and presence.
So, my dear friend, let us seek the truth that Jesus offers, embrace his teachings, and experience the freedom that comes through knowing him as our Lord and Savior.
Father, I thank you for the precious blood of Christ poured out for me as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I thank you the blood of Jesus pleads for me mercy and all the provisions of your grace. I thank you that Jesus Christ gives me access into your holy presence and has purchased for me eternal redemption.
I declare, affirm and bear witness to what the word says about Jesus Christ has done for me. I am justified and forgiven by the blood Christ. The blood cleanses me from every sin and removes God’s wrath from me. I am sanctified, wholly set apart through the offering of the body of Christ once for all. I have been purchased for God’s eternal possession by the blood of Jesus. The blood has redeemed me from the guilt and power of sin and I am set free from the empty way of life handed down to me from my forefathers. The blood of Christ purges my conscience and sets me free from the dead works of religion in order that I may serve the living God. The blood redeems me from the curse of the law in my life and that of my ancestors.
The blood is God’s covenant seal upon my life. I am secure and made safe from every evil and every guile of the enemy by the blood of Jesus. I am victorious over Satan who is defeated and destroyed, driven out and disarmed by the power of His blood. By the blood I overcome the evil one and destroy his every work. The blood is my assurance of God’s goodness and the binding guarantee of His faithfulness in all situations. The blood is my legal claim to every promise and the entrance into my inheritance in Christ.
Father, I thank you that the spirit now bears witness to the blood of Christ in my life and brings the riches of your blessing upon me. Amen
In everything we do, it is beneficial to have a model to guide our work. Just as an architect relies on blueprints to construct a building, we need a pattern to live our lives well. Thankfully, there is a perfect model for us.
To live our lives to their fullest potential, we must follow this exemplary life. Out of all the lives lived since the beginning of time, this one life stands alone as the perfect model. This life invites us to follow its steps and walk its path.
While many good people have lived, none provide a true pattern of life on their own. Even the Apostle Paul, who said, “Be ye followers of me,” added, “even as I also am of Him.” It’s the essence of this perfect life manifested in others that we should follow.
The greatest work we can do is to reveal this ideal life to others, helping them to be shaped more in its image. Think of a mirror in a dark room that reflects a single ray of light, illuminating the space. Similarly, we can reflect the light of this exemplary life onto those in spiritual darkness, helping them grow in beauty and holiness.
Scripture calls us to be “followers of God as dear children.” God desires His children to imitate Him, living holy lives. As 1 Peter 1:15 (Revised Version) states, “Like as he which has called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living.” This perfect life serves as our blueprint; to walk in its steps is to follow the true way of life.
Walking in these steps leads us to eternal glory. Despite the weariness we might feel, remembering that we tread the same path as this ideal life gives us strength. The vision of heaven and the promise of God’s approval and help sustain us on our journey.
Consider the seasoned traveler who navigates treacherous paths with a steadfast compass. His life, hidden with the essence of this perfect model, is a testament to living the true way of life. His final steps lead him to eternal rest, where the toils of life are no more.
To live as this exemplary life was lived is the true and only way to life eternal. Our lives are perfected as we imitate this model. Following this example ensures we walk the path that leads to God’s eternal kingdom. This perfect life was none other than Jesus Christ.
The concept of biblical repentance and the Cognify therapy, a futuristic approach to rehabilitation, may seem like vastly different approaches to personal transformation. However, they share some commonalities in their aim to promote positive change in individuals.
IT SOUNDS like science fiction… and frankly a little bit bonkers.
But jails where inmates can serve their sentences in minutes before emerging as reformed characters may be the future of justice, says a biotechnology expert.
The Cognify method would see convicts given a choice between years in a cell or fast-track rehabilitation that involved implanting false memories in their brains, molecular biologist Hashem Al-Ghaili said. He explained they could be hooked up to machines – which in illustrations of the concept look a bit like sunbeds – while watching vivid virtual reality footage that would begin to seem to them like genuine memories.
Scenes could include their crimes seen from the victim’s perspective. And the ‘memories’ would be coupled with a brain implant to induce emotions such as remorse or regret. Mr Al-Ghaili said: ‘Violent offenders could feel their victim’s pain and suffering first hand.
‘Some memories would be designed to trigger consequences and trauma, simulating the long-term consequences of violent actions, such as the grief of the victim’s family or the physical and emotional trauma endured by the victim.’
Families of crime victims might be unimpressed to see offenders walking the streets days after being jailed. But Mr Al-Ghaili argued the concept could revolutionise the criminal justice system by significantly reducing the need for long-term incarceration and its associated costs’.
The Secret About Fasting – It’s Not the Power, It’s Drawing Closer to God
His might sound surprising if you’re familiar with my ministry and teachings, but let me explain: fasting alone has no spiritual power. The true power lies in God, the One we draw closer to during our fasting periods.
How My Fasting Journey Began My first experience with fasting occurred shortly after I arrived in the United States as an immigrant refugee from Ukraine. My parents were involved in planting a new church that started in someone’s living room. Every Wednesday, they would fast and gather in the evening to pray for God’s blessings on this new church, now known as Hungry Generation Church. Inspired by our pastor’s vision, I, at fourteen, decided to join the adults in their weekly fasting.
For many years, I continued the practice of fasting for 24 hours every Wednesday. During this time, I felt increasingly filled with the Holy Spirit. When I struggled with an addiction to pornography, fasting helped me control my flesh and prepared me for the deliverance I desperately needed.
At sixteen, when I became a youth pastor, I maintained my commitment to fasting every Wednesday, dedicating the day to the Lord through Bible study and prayer. I even skipped school on those days to spend more time with God. One Wednesday, during this dedicated time, the Lord touched me profoundly and called me into full-time ministry.
Fasting Brings Clarity Later in life, I faced challenges in my personal life, particularly in my journey to get married. I struggled with indecision and second-guessed myself constantly. After my first date with Lana, the woman who would become my wife, I expressed my indecisive feelings and broke up with her the next day. My mind was in turmoil!
A few weeks after that breakup, our church embarked on a 21-day fast in January, and I joined in. During this fast, God brought clarity to my mind. My indecisiveness was lifted, and I reconnected with Lana. Eight months later, we were married. It has been over 11 years since our wedding, and I am incredibly blessed! I am so grateful that I participated in that group fast.
The True Source of Power To be clear: while fasting can bring us closer to breakthroughs and has numerous benefits, it holds no power on its own. All power comes from God.
Fasting might channel God’s power, but it does not generate it. Fasting doesn’t move God; it moves us
