Are You Set Free?

 N.T.#732 "Are You Set Free?"

Feb. 10, 2026 

John 8-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

Are you in bondage? What do you think about most during the day? Has a sinful habit got you wrapped around its finger?

Truth is not based on our feelings, experiences, or desires. Truth is the absolute standard by which reality is measured. It is God's viewpoint on every matter, and it is not subject to redefinition. Knowledge of the truth liberates us. Deliverance comes when we know the truth and hang out in what God says. Then we experience the truth setting us free from bondage. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

I think freedom comes whenever we start applying truth in our life.

LET IT GROW 

These Pharisaical Jews claimed they were never in bondage to sin, for they were of Abraham' s seed. How did Jesus answer that claim? 

Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (verse 34)

Is there a sin we are continually committing? Then we are a slave to it. Only Jesus can set us free from an enslaving sin. (and others) Keep praying for your loved ones.

If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed. (verse 31)

Thank you, folks, for being so faithful to study the Word with me. I know I am not alone.

LET IT GO

How gracious and merciful You are, our God and Father!

Finding Truth

 N.T.#731 "Finding Truth"

Feb. 9, 2026 

John 8-Part 5

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (verse 32) 

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus made some profound statements in this chapter:

• I am the Light of the world. (verse 12)   
• Follow Me and have the Light of Life. (verse 12)
• My record is true; My judgment is true; He that sent Me is true. (verses 14, 16, 26)
• Father God taught Jesus what to do, say, and how to please Him while on earth. (verses 28-29)
• I tell you the truth. (verses 45-46)

In the Greek language, true refers to no concealing.

Webster Dictionary defines truth as sincerity in action, character, and utterance.

Our life should be doing what is true, being what is true, and saying what is true. We don't have to cover up our actions or words whenever we are living and saying the truth. When folks can't believe what we say, do, are, then we have no witness. If people lie all the time, we don't believe a word they say-it's hogwash and we stop listening to them, being around them. Don't believe them, leave them.  

Truth is not just how we speak, but what we do and who we are. Do you know someone who has a reputation of always lying? 

As a follower of Jesus, we must be careful of the words we speak, the things we do, and who we are. What do others say about us?

LET IT GROW 

Abiding in His Word gives greater knowledge of the truth and sets one free from sin. (verse 32)

As believers, we are free from the penalty of sin .Placing our personal faith in Jesus results in freedom from other personal sin that had a hold on us.  Previously, we were a slave to sin, but now we are free from it. We are not to return to our old sinful ways and lifestyle. 

God's Truth sets us free, not restricting us. Are you free from the bondage of a particular sin? Has addiction to something got you tied up? 

Look at 1 John 1:9, Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:28.

LET IT GO

Father, help us experience Your Truth. 

Jesus, You are THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. 

Thank you for providing the way to God.

It isn't by works, but belief that we can come to You and be changed.

Who is Your Light?

 N.T.#730 “Who is Your Light?”

Feb. 6, 2026 

John 8-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

They turned a deaf ear to what Jesus had said, yet He spoke to the Pharisees again. (Verse 12) 

Matthew Henry had this to say about verse 12:

• Light is the name of the Messiah, as in Daniel 2:22. 
• God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. 
• He was expected to be a light to the Gentiles and Israel. (Luke 2:32)
• As a traveler follows the light in a dark night. Christ is the light we believers follow. We submit ourselves to Hus guidance, take directions from Him, in the way that leads to happiness. 
• False light (teachers) leads to destruction. 
• It’s not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it.  We must follow it, believe in it, and walk in it, for it (His Word) is a light to our feet. 
• When we have the Light of Life(Jesus), then we have knowledge and enjoyment of God, the Light of spiritual life here and everlasting life in heaven. 

Do you have this Light-Jesus?

LET IT GROW 

The Pharisees argued with Jesus about Him saying truth. Jesus is the one and only source of truth since He and God are One. 

Evidently the Pharisees who did not believe Jesus is the Messiah and Savior are it in heaven withHim today. (Verse 21) The Pharisees died in their sun of unbelief. 

Jesus told them He was not of this world. Those Jews were spiritually blind and deaf. Jesus made it clear who He is. (John5:36-37). Yet the religious leaders would not believe in Him. 

LET IT GO

Do you believe Jesus is God’s Son, the Light of the World, the Truth, and the Light of Life?

Are You a Shining Light?

N.T.#729 "Are You a Shining Light?"

Feb. 5, 2026 

John 8-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

Who is your source of truth and light for your life? Is your sin blocking the light? Jesus said that He is the Light of the world. Yesterday we studied John 8:12. Jesus says He is the Light of the world. Jesus shines as Light in a world of darkness of sin. (If you missed it, check out #728.)

Here are some examples of Jesus being Light (to shine; luminous):

• In Exodus13:21-22, Jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to lead His people. 
• In Exodus 14, Jesus stood behind the children of Israel so the Egyptians would not harm them.
• The LORD is my light and salvation, Whom shall I fear? (Ps. 27:1)
• Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Ps. 119:105)
• For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light. (Prov. 6:23)
• God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth: but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:5-8) 

John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Friend, have you confessed your sins to Jesus? Is He the Light for your life? 

LET IT GROW

What does Jesus say about those who followeth (be in the same way with) Him?

• A follower is one who gives himself completely to the person followed. There are no half-hearted followers of Jesus. (MacArthur) Either we are trusting and obeying Jesus or we are pretending, acting, have not surrendered in all aspects of our life to Him.
• They will not walk in darkness. They live in Truth and obey Him. Their life shines as the fruit of the Spirit shine in them.
• They shall have the Light of Life-Jesus. 

Followers of Jesus love His Word, love Him, and love others. Nothing is more important than Jesus, His Word, pleasing Him.

That is our challenge for today. Do others see Jesus in us?

LET IT GO

Is there anything blocking Jesus' light shining in you and me?

Is there a sinful habit?

Are we standing in the way of someone seeing the Light of Jesus?

From Darkness to Light

N.T.#728 "From Darkness to Light"

Feb. 4, 2026 

John 8-Part 2

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (verse 12) 

LET IT GROW 

Culture claims to know about Jesus, but many people are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history or a good man or a good teacher-but He is more than that! Light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals. Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world! 

We live a sin-darkened world.  People live in darkness. Jesus came to show us salvation, the way to forgiveness of our sins, the way to live, truth to live by, and provide everlasting life.

Dera one, do you know this Savior as your Light?

LET IT GROW

Who is Jesus? He is God's:

• Promised Son; Scriptures tell us of the coming Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
• Perfect Son; Without sin, Jesus became our Perfect sacrifice for our sins.
• Powerful Son; Jesus fed people, delivered people, and healed people.
• Proven Son; Jesus died, was buried in a tomb, and arose from the dead, proving who He is-Almighty God.
• Plan for Forgiveness; Jesus offers salvation to those who admit their sins, confess their sins, and believe Jesus can forgive their sins. 

[Lifeway's Administration Guide for 2026 VBS, Illumination Station]

LET IT GO

Light of the world, you stepped out into darkness, open our eyes so we can see You, the Light of the World.

Hellp us shine for Jesus with hope, joy, Truth

 

Repent, for Grace and Mercy are Waiting

 N.T.#727 "Repent, for Grace and Mercy are Waiting"

Feb. 3, 2026 

John 8

LET IT GLOW

We all know about the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees brought her to Jesus. They reminded Him that Moses' law said to stone her. 

What did He have to say about the situation? 

• He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her. (verse 6)
• He simply wrote something in the ground with His finger. Whatever it was resulted in her accusers  leaving. 
• Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned thee? (verse 10)
• Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (verse 11)

It was a catch 22. If Jesus opposed stoning the guilty one, He would be opposing the law of Moses. If He advocated her death, He would be in trouble with the Romans because the Jews were not permitted to execute anyone. (18:31)

In mercy and love Jesus forgave the undeserving adulterous. 

LET IT GROW

Where was the man? The law required both man and woman be judged. (Lev. 20:10)

Was this a set up? You bet. However, the Pharisees who knew the Word did not know the divine author of the law. Which of the Pharisees were qualified to judge the woman? Since everyone is a sinner, they were not qualified to be a judge. (Maybe they were guilty of the same sin.) Grace and mercy do not endorse or promote sin; it's designed to produce gratitude and holiness. 

There is forgiveness available to the sinner, but first we have to admit our sins. We admit our need for a Savior's forgiveness. Then we turn from our wicked ways and live for Him. Friend, have you done this?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy You show us.

Challenges

N.T.#726 "Challenges"

Feb. 2, 2026 

John 7-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW

There was talk behind the scenes. The Pharisees were trying to get the officers to arrest Jesus, but there was no basis for that. Nicodemus brought to the attention of the Pharisees, being one of them, that they were violating the law in judging a man without hearing him. (verses 40-53)

The Pharisees claimed no prophet came out of Galilee. This revealed their ignorance of the Scriptures. Jonah, Nahum, Elijah, and Hosea came from Galilee. The Sanhedrin adjourned and everyone went home. (verse 53) We know the Pharisees would not quit until they killed the As a Pharisee, he Messiah. Jesus' hour was months away.

Nicodemus became a secret believer. As a Pharisee, he risked his reputation and high position, going to Jesus by night, as well as speaking up for Jesus indirectly. You will recall that after Jesus' death, Nic brought spices for His body. (19:39) That is the last time he is mentioned in Scriptures. 

While Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the world, He had no suicide mission. He didn't seek the first available opportunity to be arrested. We must balance three primary issues: trust in god, danger from enemies, and dedication to mission. As the Lord walked among the lions in Jerusalem, He perfectly balanced all three. (Swindoll)

LET IT GROW

Are you having challenges because of your beliefs? Jesus faced challenges, too. Nothing occurs unless God permits it. Stay faithful at the task God has for you. Complete it. Endure whatever. Draw strength from the Lord. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares and loves for us.

Let us fervently pray, assess the danger, plan our approach, remain focused on the goal, seek to glorify God in all our actions, trust Him to accomplish His will, complete the task at hand without reluctance, and then retreat to safety at the right time. (Swindoll's Insights on John)

Sometimes staying is what the Lord wants us to do, endure. Sometimes it is time to leave. Seek God's will in your situation before either. Grace sustains, mercy endures.

LET IT GO 

Keep us near You, Precious Jesus.

Show us Your will, Your way.