Truth=Freedom




Introduction



Truth has to do with something being true. The definition of true is: "in accordance with fact or reality." Freedom has to do with something being free. To be free you are: God is "the God of truth." (Psalm 31:5) And John 14:6 explains it perfectly: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). And finally, in John 8:32, Jesus says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

I have learned in school that if A=B and B=C then A=C. Now let's use this with these verses. JESUS says he is the TRUTH. And he also says that if you know the TRUTH then the TRUTH will set you FREE. Take a look at this:

By having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you are set free from sin and it's punishment (which is physical and spiritual death). No longer are you imprisoned. You can now live the life that Jesus came to bring (John 10:10). [If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, and you would like to know more about the importance of having this relationship with him then click the link on the main page.] For those who have trusted in Christ to save you I say this: Read the word of God and believe that what He says and promises is the truth. Apply His word to your life and you will begin to experience God's mighty power at work in your life. As John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

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Being Stable


Do you ever feel happy one moment and deeply depressed the next? I went through that cycle for quite a while until I learned the truth. If we focus on our circumstances then we will change as our circumstances do. If our focus is not on Christ, then we will have a shifting attitude. In other words, our attitude will constantly change. We will be happy when things are going well and down when they aren't. But don't let your circumstances get you down any longer. When we place our focus on Jesus Christ alone and rely on His Spirit to help us through our trials we will have his joy, which does not change. Realize that a fruit of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). Joy means "a state of contentment or satisfaction". It is ever-going. And with this joy we can smile in the midst of adversity. As Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." He never changes. Think of this:

No matter what happens, Jesus is still Lord.

Matthew 7:24-27 goes, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

God should be our rock (Psalm 62:7) When our life is based on God, everything else works out (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:33). The truth is, no matter what we go through God is faithful and will help us through hard times. He will be right by our side. With God as our foundation, when the storms of life thrash against us we can hold firm and not give in to evil. I encourage you to examine yourself and see who or what your focus is. For it is only when Jesus is the foundation of your life that we you be free! May you build your life on the Rock, and in so doing, experience the life that is truly life.




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China and us



China's government does provide churches for people to attend. Although these churches are corrupt. They do not allow the church to tell the gospel to other people. The "church word" for telling someone about Christ is called "witnessing." Someone once gave me an interesting thought about "witnessing." Answer these questions: I look at myself, and see how sad it is that I would tell more people about Jesus in order to obtain money. If we give it further thought: What good is money in heaven? (It will all pass away--Matthew 6:19-20). Yet, if the person you witness to comes to know Christ that person will be changed forever!

In China, many are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore the true Christians must worship in underground churches or other hideouts. Well, if the government finds out that they are holding these worship services then they will destroy the hideout and most likely abuse the participants. The worshippers may suffer beatings, be thrown in jail, or even killed. I am sure that their faith must be strong.

One night in Youth I was thinking about this. There I was, in a church building. I could freely worship God without any thought of actually being hurt. I thought of the many times I just took it for granted, didn't feel like worshipping, or came for the wrong reasons. And it gave me a realization that me being able to freely worship God is a gift! What a special gift.


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