Guest post by Jeanette Andrade
August 31 Scripture Selection: John 8:21-38
Food for Thought: John 8:31, 32, 36
There are those who believe that Jesus is their Savior, but they are not His disciples. And because they are not His disciples, they do not abide in His Word and do not know the truth. And because they do not know the truth, they are not completely free.
Remember, Jesus and His Word are one and the same. John 1:1, and 14 explains this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Jesus makes us free through the power of His Word. If a person is not free in some area of his/her life (whether it is an addiction, bitterness, fear, or whatever the case may be), then it is because His Word is not abiding in him/her in that particular area. Knowing Jesus, knowing the Word, makes people free. The answer is in Him and in His Word. It is just a matter of digging into the Word for it and abiding (remaining) in it.
Abiding in the Word does not begin and end with a daily devotional. To abide in the Word, you consume it and continually keep it. You hear it through messages from the pulpit, conversations, and even songs. You meditate on it. You declare it as your own. You live it. You grow by it. You believe it. And you let it change you. (See Mat. 4:4, Joshua 1:8, I Pet. 2:2.)
Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):
Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):
Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God,
Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):
suyts space 
Thank you
Alfred
Interesting map: Mapping religious congregations on the two scales “government involvement in economics” and “government involvement in protecting morale”.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-08-31/intersection-church-and-state-one-chart-and-44-bubbles
(Looks like I’m a typical Lutheran. )
I’m over on the right hand side about where you are Dirk.
Not sure what they mean by “how involved government should be in protecting morality”.
If it means law and order then I’d be in the top right square somewhere, but if it means individual morality then I’m in the bottom right hand square. Its fruitless trying to control people’s personal morality (Ez 36:26), but you sure can lay out and enforce the law.
Fascinating map! It explains a lot (why the Church as a whole is not all on the same page). It does seem accurate. I found myself in it right where I thought I would.
Glad you find value in it. I never thought of correlating religious inclinations with politics but it makes sense.
As a Catholic, have a problem with this map.
“•Catholics are large and represent the center on both dimensions.”
I’ve explained this before:
Catholicism is not a democracy… you can not pick and chose [ as in a cafeteria ].
“Catholicism (from Greek καθολικισμός, katholikismos, “according to the whole” – IN COMMUNION with authentic Catholic / Gospel teachings. .
There are those who would like to associate themselves as “Catholic” [ Sebelius, Pelosi, Nuns on the Bus………………………… ] BUT are SELF EX- COMMUNI[on]-CATED from Catholicism.
They are “Cafeteria Catholics” who delude, at the best, themselves into thinking they are in Communion, at the worst – they mislead on purpose..
Soooooo The question here would be::
Is this graph TRUE [ as far as Catholicism ] in it’s claims?
What was the defining question that proved one’s Catholicism?
One question might have been: Do you believe in abortion as convenience? Any answer other than NO means you are not in Communion – Not of the whole – Not Catholic.
Oh and I gotta share this video, the argument that the ex Muslim makes to a Muslim re shame and extinction of shame at 53:10 is very clear.
Powerful!!! Thank you.
This video is impacting! Thank you, DIrk, for posting it! I really think it is evidence that Jesus is coming soon. These types of testimonies seem to be occurring more and more lately.
I am watching these because the converts often have a lot of insight to offer for why they switched. Also, very moving personal stories. Yeah I can be sentimental too. 😉
Reblogged this on Climate Ponderings.