Day 1
Often, it is for "freedom" that soldiers fight on, sometimes to retain it, or to restore it to those who have lost it. However, Jesus is not referring to the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press or freedom of assembly here. There is more to freedom. There are some freedoms that civil law cannot give and armies cannot secure. We have to look elsewhere for certain freedoms, and they are extremely important ones.
In this passage, Jesus is promoting and promising all of us freedom from sin, freedom from addiction, fear, greed, anger, pride, hopelessness and despair, freedom from unforgiveness, shame, worry and ultimately, freedom from death.
Have you received this promise? Is this freedom yours already? If not, why not? I invite you to pray this prayer and begin your life of true freedom today.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father. – John 8:31-38 (English Standard Version)
"Father, I pray for the gift of freedom that You freely offer to all us. Holy Spirit, dwell in me and cast out all that keeps me in bondage. I seek true freedom that only You can give me so that I may live in peace and joy in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!"
Day 222 Bible Reading: Ezra 10, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 31:9-18 and Proverb 21:3 
