John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
We often think of freedom as the ability to do what we want, when we want, without interference. So when Yeshua says things like “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” “Forgive seventy times seven,” or “Turn the other cheek,” they strike us as anything but freeing. They sound like burdens, not blessings — commands that restrict rather than release.
But that reaction reveals a deeper misunderstanding. The problem isn’t with Yeshua’s (Jesus’) words — it’s with how we define freedom.
In today’s world, people often think being free means being in charge. The world teaches that freedom means doing whatever we want, making our own choices, and not letting anyone or anything stop us. It’s about trying to get rid of anything that might stand in our way so we can take full control of our lives. The more control we think we have, the more we think we’re truly free.
But this definition is deceptive. The more we strive to control, the more we fear losing it. We become enslaved to anxiety, anger, and endless striving. True freedom can’t be built on fear. It doesn’t come from ruling over life–it comes from being released from the need to.
Scripture offers a radically different definition. According to the Bible, true freedom isn’t found in self-determination—it’s found in surrender—not surrender to chaos or despair but to a good, sovereign, loving God who alone holds the universe together.
Yeshua didn’t come to make us completely independent — He came to give us a relationship with Himself. When He says, “Follow me,” He’s not trying to trap us or take away our lives — He’s actually showing us the way to real freedom. It might not make sense initially because it means letting go of the idea that we’re in control. But when we do, we’re set free from fear, from constantly trying to prove ourselves, and from the heavy pressure of trying to fix everything on our own.
This is what makes Yeshua’s teachings so powerful and different. Forgiveness, trust, generosity, and humility aren’t rules that hold us back—they’re actually the keys that set us free. They open the door to a new way of life because we simply trust the One who’s watching over us.
When we live by the world’s definition of freedom, we carry a burden we were never meant to bear. But when we embrace the biblical view, we find that true freedom is not the power to control life, but the peace to trust the One who already does.
One of the most amazing truths in God’s Kingdom is this: true freedom comes when we surrender. When you give your life to Him, you’re no longer trapped by the pressure to perform, please everyone, or chase after your own way. Instead, you’re set free—free to love without fear, to give generously, to forgive completely, and to live with peace and purpose. Why? Because your life is anchored in Someone far greater than yourself. That’s real freedom—and when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Much of the world is dealing with the greatest disruption of their lives… probably in their lifetimes, particularly in the West, and what is known as the “First World”. Here’s a helpful perspective toward understanding what is taking place.
Continuing our exciting account of the Moravian Revival, I have to highlight the minuscule quantity of saints involved. This was, in proportion to its astounding effect, a very small group, a little church. Yet the amazing demonstration of God’s principle of power through unity re-echoes the events at Pentecost when 120 believers also were in profound unity waiting on the Lord. It wasn’t the numbers but the removal of contention and division that paved the way for a 100-year revival.
The Moravian revival, our current subject, began in the little community of Herrnhut on August 13, 1727, with a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit likened to that of Acts 2. It was a work of God that would transform this group of splintered Christian settlers into a unified missionary endeavor committed to reaching the unsaved around the world.
This is one of my favorite promises in the Bible — that God turns mourning into dancing! He takes away the anguish of being clothed in sadness and replaces it with gladness. However, notice what God doesn’t do — simply stop your mourning and make it disappear. No, He transforms it…into joy!
We found an interesting story in an old copy of “Our Daily Bread”: In 1883 in Allentown, New Jersey, a wooden Indian — the kind that was seen in front of cigar stores — was placed on the ballot for Justice of the Peace. The candidate was registered under the fictitious name of Abner Robbins. When the ballots were counted, Abner won over incumbent Sam Davis by 7 votes. A similar thing happened in 1938. The name Boston Curtis appeared on the ballot for Republican Committeeman from Wilton, Washington. Actually, Boston Curtis was a mule. The town’s mayor sponsored the animal to demonstrate that people know very little about the candidates. He proved his point. The mule won!
As we discussed last week, the word for “sign” in ancient Hebrew is “oht”. It was used in Genesis to designate God’s covenant sign with Noah, (the rainbow). And we see now the same word again, in Exodus, identified with the deliverance of the Jewish people from the tenth plague, when the angel of death passed through all Egypt to strike the firstborn. Anyone under the “sign” of the blood was spared.
It never ceases to amaze me how our little girl, Elianna is growing and developing. I remember when she first came into this world, she was so helpless and frail — she couldn’t even move her head without our help. Now, just having turned two, she’s running around and tumbling, jumping, singing and dancing!