Discovering YOU Magazine July 2023 Issue | Page 35

SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH

self-help programs, legalistic religion, exercise, motivating music, psychology, or drug substitutes. True and complete freedom is found in Christ alone! You can claim many ways, many paths, and many opinions, but Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but thru me.” I Timothy 2:5 says “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. You need Jesus and you need to dig in the Kingdom Power and Purpose He provides. You can believe that you can dig anywhere you want to and get God’s blessings and best, but if you dig for a major oil reserve in your yard, you are more likely to hit a water line or sewage line. To get oil you have to dig where there are large deposits of oil. That’s why you need to get your family in the Word of God, Prayer, a Faith Preaching Church, and be part of a Spirit-filled support family of believers!

CONC: So why don't we feel loved, whole, and free? To discover the root of your lack of Godly Freedom, you need to get honest with yourself. Many times we are in denial about the pain, sin, and bondage we are experiencing. Let God’s Word and prayer of people reveal to you His great love and forgiveness for you! As you discover ungodly soul ties, emotional wounds (like a Father or Mother’s womb), rejection and the need to forgive others as well as the cycle of addiction and defeat you are facing…INVITE Jesus the “Freedom Provider to come and heal the damage in your heart. Spend time in God’s Word for Jesus said, “It will set you free” and spend time learning of the terrible price Jesus paid for your freedom on the cross. Learn what He meant when He said, “It is Finished” and How much He loves you and says about you in His Word! Breaking out of bondage

God and see…

III.THE PURSUIT OR PROCESS THAT

SETS YOU FREE

A.Jesus identifies a process for experiencing true freedom with the words "If...then"(John 8:31). The process should not be confused with legalistic formulas, qualifying efforts, or actions. He does not say, "If you have 30 min. of prayer daily, tithe faithfully, read the Bible annually, and only miss Church once in a blue moon. NO, you can have this freedom if you “continue in My Word”. While good things can be helpful to anchor your faith and help you keep the faith, freedom comes by grace and stays by life with God! You must respond to God’s invitation to know Him and enjoy life with Him to gain freedom over harassment, disappointment, and fear in your life! You have to choose to live the Bible way and pursue Kingdom purposes that sustain His anointing in your life!

B.True freedom is not found through a casual glance at the claims of Christ, but one must be willing to "dwell" in the Word of God (John 8:31). Jesus says here “If you continue in My Word…” Jesus is not talking about a 30-day trial of faith that gains deliverance for you. Jesus is not talking about a 12-week Bible study to get free of addictions. Jesus offers freedom to those who “abide in His Word” (with the root word meaning home or dwelling place and gives the picture of moving to a new home). True freedom or being “free indeed” represents a significant, ongoing change in one's life. Jesus declares that true freedom is found in, "MY Word", not in