Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word,
you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:31-32)
Jesus’ is our Savior who can free us from the bondage of sin. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin that needs deliverance. If Jesus sets you free, you will be truly free. Spiritual freedom comes from knowing the truth. The liberating power of truth and the spiritual freedom comes from a relationship with Jesus. True disciples are those who abide in His word not just by hearing, but living according to God’s teachings. These lessons encourage us to live out God’s teachings, seek the truth, understand the implications of sin, recognize Jesus as our Savior, let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage, and love Jesus as the Son of God.
31 Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. 36 So if a Son frees you, then you will truly be free. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. 38 I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” 39 They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. 40 But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. 41 You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.” (John 8:31-42)
In the bondage of sin, we're often caught, but Jesus, our Savior, salvation has brought. Everyone who sins, a slave they become, yet deliverance awaits under the holy kingdom. "If Jesus sets you free, you will truly be free," a promise of liberation, for you and for me. Spiritual freedom comes from truth's embrace, a relationship with Jesus, a state of grace. True disciples abide in His word, so divine, not just by hearing, but by design. Living according to God's teachings, we strive, in His love and wisdom, we thrive. These lessons encourage us, in faith to be bold, to seek the truth, His love to behold. Understand sin's implications, recognize His grace, see Jesus as our Savior, in every place. Let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage clear, in loving Jesus, the Son of God, we hold dear. In every word, in every deed, we plant His love, we sow His seed.
Dear Lord Jesus, You are our Savior, the One who frees us from the bondage of sin. We acknowledge that everyone who sins is a slave to sin and we all need Your deliverance. If You, Jesus, set us free, we will be truly free. We seek the spiritual freedom that comes from knowing the truth, the liberating power of truth that comes from a relationship with You. Help us to be true disciples, those who abide in Your word, not just by hearing, but by living according to Your teachings. These lessons encourage us to live out Your teachings, to seek the truth, and to understand the implications of sin. We recognize You, Jesus, as our Savior, and we strive to let our actions reflect our spiritual lineage. Help us to love You, Jesus, as the Son of God, and to express that love in all that we do. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
God is with us in times of trouble, offering protection and comfort. It is important to stand up for our beliefs and be firm in our faith, even when faced with severe consequences. Let us have absolute and unwavering faith in God, regardless of the circumstances. These lessons can be applied in many aspects of life, encouraging faith, courage, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. They also highlight the importance of our witnessing and acknowledging God’s power and sovereignty.
14 King Nebuchadnezzar said: “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? 15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! 18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.” 19 King Nebuchadnezzar’s face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual 20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace. 91 Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Assuredly, O king,” they answered. 92 “But,” he replied, “I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.” 95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” (Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95)
In times of trouble, fear, and doubt, God is with us, there's no doubt. Offering comfort, protection, and light, guiding us through the darkest night. Stand up for beliefs, hold them high, even when adversity is nigh. Firm in faith, strong in heart, from our path, we shall not depart. Absolute faith, unwavering and true in God, regardless of our view. In every circumstance, in every plight, in His presence, we find our might. Lessons learned, wisdom gained, through trials faced, and strength attained. In life's aspects, in every thread, courage and faith are our stead. Steadfast in the face of adversity, we highlight God's sovereignty. Witnessing His power, acknowledging His reign in our hearts, His love remains.
Dear Heavenly Father, in times of trouble, we are reminded that You are with us, offering protection and comfort, in You we place our trust. Help us to stand up for our beliefs, to be firm in our faith even when faced with severe consequences, let us not waver or hesitate. Let us have absolute and unwavering faith in You, Lord regardless of the circumstances, in harmony and accord. These lessons we apply in life, encouraging faith and courage, steadfast in the face of adversity, we are not discouraged. We acknowledge Your power and sovereignty, oh God, witnessing Your miracles, to You, we give our applaud. Thank you for being our refuge, our strength, and our guide, In Your loving presence, we forever abide. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
The act of praising God is also an act of gratitude. The repeated phrase “Blessed are you” is a form of praise, and the descriptions that follow are forms of worship that acknowledge God’s greatness. The repeated phrase “praiseworthy and exalted above all forever” underscores the eternal nature of God who is everlasting, without beginning or end. God’s presence is everywhere. Let us be thankful for God’s blessings and His presence in our lives. These lessons remind us to maintain a heart of worship, recognize God’s omnipresence, understand His eternality, submit to His sovereignty, and express gratitude in our daily lives.
52 “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” 53 “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” 54 “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” 55 “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” 56 “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.” (Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
"Blessed are You," we sing and shout in praise and worship, without a doubt. An act of gratitude, a heart's outpour to the One who's worthy of so much more. "Blessed are You," a phrase so dear echoes in the heavens, far and near. Acknowledging greatness, a divine nod to the eternal, everlasting God. "Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever," A truth we hold, that wavers never. God's presence is everywhere, in all we see, in every moment, in every glee. Thankful we are for blessings received, for His presence in lives intricately weaved. Lessons learned, wisdom embraced, in our daily lives, they're interlaced. Maintain a heart of worship, let it be your song, recognize His omnipresence, all day long. Understand His eternality, His time knows no end, submit to His sovereignty, on Him you can depend. Express gratitude in life, in big and small, for He is the One who orchestrates it all. "Blessed are You," we'll continue to say, today, tomorrow, every single day.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude, praising You, saying "Blessed are You," in multitude. Your greatness we acknowledge, Your love we embrace, in every corner of our lives, we see Your grace. "Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever," we proclaim, Your eternal nature, Your everlasting fame. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, in every moment, on You, we depend. Your presence is everywhere, in every space, in every challenge, in every grace. We are thankful for Your blessings, for Your love so divine, for Your presence in our lives, for Your design. Help us maintain a heart of worship, pure and true, recognize Your omnipresence, in everything we do. Help us understand Your eternality, Your time without end, and submit to Your sovereignty, on You, we depend. Teach us to express gratitude, in our daily lives, in our joys and in our strife. These lessons we carry in our hearts, as we journey on, with You by our side, from dusk till dawn. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
JESUS AND ABRAHAM
John 8:31-59
I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon
THE FIERY FURNACE
Daniel 3:1-97
I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon
THE FIERY FURNACE
Daniel 3:44-56
Reflection Source:
Copilot in Edge
