We need to pause and pray as we celebrate our freedom. . .from tyranny.  Yet, too many believers are living under tyranny. . .not from another country or a government but from the enemy of your destiny. . .the devil.

Let’s talk about how to become free from all that would have us bound.

Galatians 5:13 says:

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

In the New International Version the word free and freedom are given the same definition as liberty.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

We were called to be free.  The truth is that you and I will never really be free until we’re financially free.

What is your definition of freedom. . .or liberty?

According to dictionary.com freedom is defined as:

“exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.”

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 in the Message Bible says:

“After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot.

“Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work.

“It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. . .”

Reading and re-reading theses verse again. . .we knew God was giving us a powerful revelation we were to share with His children.

Here are seven questions to help us discover God’s plans for us.

1.  Where do you want to go?

The key to success is to determine why you are where you are. . .where God wants you to be. . .create a plan to get there. . .and start where you are with what you’ve got.

When Jesus was raised from the dead …

It was the day that changed everything.

Let’s look at that sentence one more time.

It was the day that changed everything.

On that day. . .where we spend eternity. . .changed.

On that day. . .how we live our lives now. . .changed.

On that day. . .how we face adversity, tough times and attacks of the enemy. . . changed.

On that day. . .we gained the victory over sickness, disease, addiction, affliction and poverty.

But truthfully, our celebration should be daily and not just one Sunday a year.

Do you have “it”?  You should have…

Romans 12:8 in the New International Version says:

“If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Everybody should have the gift of encouragement.

“Well, I’m not sure God wanted me to have that gift.”  Then it’s apparent that you’ve never read Hebrews 3:13 in the Amplified Bible:

“But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him].”

We’re to encourage one another. . .HOW OFTEN?. . .EVERY DAY.

So let’s look at what encouragement means.

According to Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary the word encouragement is defined as:

“1. The act of encouraging; incitement to action or to practice; 2. That which serves to incite, support, promote, or advance, as favor, countenance, reward, etc.; incentive; increase of confidence.”

William Arthur Ward, noted for his inspiration maxims, said:

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.”

An unknown writer once said:

Over the years, I have. . .sadly. . .had a large number of people talk to me. . .with tears in their eyes. . .about how they lost everything they owned because of bad advice from well-meaning friends and or family members..

Couples who got in on the ground floor of a ‘can’t miss’. . .explosive money-making opportunity. . .at the urging of a family member or friend. . .

only to watch the company go belly up. . .and their money disappear faster than an ice cube in hot tea on a summer’s day.

Dreamers who were robbed of their dreams by the advice of someone whose biggest decision is whether to have next Saturday’s breakfast at iHop or Cracker Barrel. 

Listening to the wrong people. . .give unwise advice.

I could go on. . .with other sad stories I’ve heard. . .but let’s move on with seven reasons not to take their word for it.

First, when I say don’t take their word for it. . .let me clarify who ‘they’ are.

“They” would be any person who doesn’t believe the promises of God are true and available to every person on planet earth.