Many of us believe that freedom is defined by how we can choose how we will live – whether that be political freedom, the freedom to choose our identity, or the right to do whatever we want. But God reminds us that true freedom isn’t the ability to do as we please, but the power to do what is right! Christ has already set us free, but what does that freedom look like in our daily lives?

FREE IN CHRIST

Through Christ, we have been set free! Sadly, many people do not experience that freedom because they fall back into their old patterns of living. Before Christ, we were under the law of sin, but through the Holy Spirit, a new law overcomes it – just like the law of aerodynamics overcomes the law of gravity. We grow in freedom by knowing the truth (John 8:32), but to know the truth we must ground ourselves in Scripture. We are saved by grace, not by works (Acts 15:10-11, Ephesians 2:8-9), and good works are a result of our salvation rather than the basis of it. Once we are saved, how should we then live?

FREE TO LOVE

As Christians, our faith isn’t measured by how well we follow the law. Rather, our faith is displayed in our desire to do God’s will and how our love for God translates to our love for others (Galatians 5:6). We are called to serve one another through love, and that means loving like we have never loved before: selflessly and like Christ! Moreover, our freedom allows us to pursue a genuine relationship with Jesus.

FREE TO LIVE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Christian life isn’t hard, it’s impossible! God knows our struggles before we even faced them, and that’s why He commands us to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:15). True believers may fall into sin, but they will not stay in it because the Holy Spirit convicts them. Moreover, a Spirit-led life produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). By abiding day by day in the Holy Spirit, God gives us the freedom and strength to overcome the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-18). True Christianity is a life surrendered to Christ and empowered by the Spirit.

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LAST WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE

Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

WEEKLY PRAYER POINTS

I. Thanksgiving

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

II. Country and the World

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• PRAY for the protection, safety and release of kidnapped American Christian missionary, Kevin, serving in Niger (West Africa). For God to turn the hearts of the kidnappers to repentance and salvation. Peace and comfort for Kevin’s family.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that even all the dead hostages will be returned to their families for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• Typhoon victims in different parts of the Philippines.  Seek God’s mercy upon our land. May many more Filipinos turn to Jesus!

III. Church

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

IV. CCF Facilities

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

V. Personal Concerns

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.