Freedom House Church

06/18/2026

June 18th
Jesus paid it all. His sacrifice on the cross was it. The cross was the final altar of sacrifice. No more fattened calves, rams, sheep or other animals needed to sacrifice as payment for sins. Jesus did it and even said, “It is finished.”
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
So that is the end of dead sacrifices, which means that you and I don’t have to physically die to pay for our sins. Remember the consequence of sin is death, eternal death. But because Jesus paid it all for us, we are not destined to physically die for our sins. No more dead sacrifices.
Now we are in the era of LIVING sacrifices.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
We owe Him everything so we set aside our own plans and desires and take on His life. We do this because we owe him everything, because we are grateful for the rescue, because we have everything to be thankful for everyday. We do this because really we are not our own, we were bought with a price. That price was Jesus’ life!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
We do this daily because that is what it takes on our end to keep in step with Him. Our human hearts stray easily so we continuously have to realign ourselves with the “altar” before Him.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
The consequence of this choice to be a living sacrifice is a transformed life that is more full than anything we could muster on our own, and an eternal inheritance that will blow our mind.
Jesus, thank you for being the final sacrifice for sin. Thank you for choosing that path so that I would not have to take it. Help me to choose the path to follow you and be a living sacrifice for you. Forgive me for grumbling about “sacrifices” that I make and help me to remember your sacrifice so that I am not like that. Thank you for loving me that much Jesus.

06/17/2026

June 17th
This week I gained a different understanding of a verse I have known for a long time.
Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
Well maybe not a different understanding, maybe just a deeper understanding. I have always felt peace come with that verse; Just to be still and rest in Him. Then the other day it hit me a little differently.
We can be still because I AM is God. Whatever our situation, whatever the mess in this world, we have a place of rest and refuge and we can trust because I AM is God! He is not I WAS or I WILL be, He is I AM. Always relevant, always able, always here right in the middle of our life.
Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
We can rest because we have the All Powerful One to entrust ourselves to and He is more capable and bigger than anything we face. We have the Most Trustworthy One to trust.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
We can run to I AM for safety.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
We can have peace of mind because He is trustworthy. We just need to trust. He will do His part, we just trust. We can be still and know that we are ok because I AM is God and He will be our shield and He will use everything for our good.
So this week when things get hairy, sticky, frustrating, worrisome or busy, be still and remember that I AM is God and He’s got this.
Jesus, thank you for being I AM. Thank you for being willing to protect me, care for me and comfort me. Thank you for your overwhelming perfect love for me. Help me to remember who you are as I walk through my day today and everyday. Help me to remember that the Great I AM is my refuge. Thank you for being patient with me.

06/16/2026

James 1:22

06/16/2026

June 16th
Luke 6:27-28 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Letting go of our right to defend ourselves is hard to do, it may be the hardest thing for some. But we must keep in mind that if we defend ourselves, that is it, that’s all we get, whatever results we manage are all there is for us. However, as Christ followers, when we give up that right to defend ourselves, we are granted a bigger defense. We have the undefeatable defense of God Himself. When we step aside, He steps in and takes over the defense, and He not only defends, He rolls out His vengeance with wrath and judgement. I don’t know about you, but I would rather my enemies face what He can pour out than what little damage I can do.
Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Oh I’m not saying it is easy. It is frustrating, hurtful and often just ticks me off but I pray for His help so that I can handle it correctly because I don’t want my results, I want HIS results.
There have been times that I have just said, “Lord I know I am supposed to pray for my enemies, so I am praying for “so and so” right now, but I sure don’t feel like it. Please help my emotions line up with this obedience. Help me not to hate them. Help me to see them through your eyes.”
Sometimes we just obey even when we don’t feel like it and later the rest of our heart catches up with the obedience. I always ask the Lord to help me know how to pray for my enemies because I don’t know how especially when I don’t feel like it.
2 things He showed me at different times when I was praying for my enemies. One was that the real enemy is satan not the people being used to persecute me. That helped me because I realized that the person is in bo***ge to lies and the father of lies. The other thing the Lord showed me was that some of my “enemies” won’t always be my enemies, some of them are just lost souls that will eventually becomes Christ followers and be my family in Christ. I realized that if that was me, I would want someone praying for mercy for me and for my salvation. So now I pray with that qualifier: Lord you know if they will ever choose you, and if they will then please have mercy on them.
The vengeance of God is nothing that you ever want to be on the receiving end of and so we have to pray mercy for those who will someday choose Him.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
God’s vengeance and vindication is our heritage from the Lord, we may not see it when we want it but He does not fail to do it! He works in ways that we can’t see and sometimes that is preventing something that seems totally unrelated to us but we can’t underestimate the Lord. He is perfect, He cannot lie, and His Word is always true. So these verses today will accomplish what they are supposed to in our lives. Thank God!!
Jesus, thank you for being faithful even when I don’t realize it. Thank you for having my back and help me to be careful to walk in your ways. I’m sorry for the times that I get in the way or try to take things into my own hands. Help me to wait on you and recognize that you are working even when I can’t see it. Thank you for my heritage in You!

06/15/2026

June 15th
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Just a reminder this verse says IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances. When we give thanks IN all circumstances this physically changes the way our brains handle the stress of the situation. When you can stand in the middle of the mess and thank God for being God, your brain learns from that and routes the signals through different pathways that make you more resilient and better at handling stress. Our brain has to be trained to handle things the way we want it to (or better yet, the way God wants us to handle it.) Turns out there is a reason Romans 12:2 is worded the way it is!
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are changed/transformed as our minds are renewed, and not just figuratively but also physically! So there may be more to the wisdom of Jesus than we initially understand. When He asks us to turn the other cheek or pray for our enemies, it is not being weak or nonconfrontational, it is training our brains to handle things differently which affects every future situation not just that one. It can be hard to respond the way Jesus wants us to when we face rude people or enemies, but it may be easier if we can remember the big picture in the moment. Perhaps putting our anger or hurt on the altar and thinking, “I am being transformed right now as God is renewing my brain” will help us rise above the moment and do the right thing in His eyes.
Only He knows where our minds need to be a month from now, a year from now or a day from now. If we trust Him with our brains and let Him rewire them so that we are transformed then we can be made into who He needs us to be for future situations.
-Not to mention the health benefits of this transformation. Lower stress means lower cortisol levels which affects every single body process you can think of and means healthier all the way around.
Jesus, you know everything about me, you know what I need and what I need to leave behind. Help me to Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Help me to do what you would do in the situations that I face. Help me to pray for my enemies and bless those who treat me wrongly. Thank you for your patience with me, help me to let go of wanting to be right and demanding to be treated right and help me to remember that what matters is that YOU treat me right and You know best.

06/14/2026

Pastor Bills message, based on the book by Louie Giglio, “DON’T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE”, teaches us that we are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy tries to gain influence through our thoughts, emotions, anger, fear, pride, and resentment. Using Psalm 23, it reminds us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who provides, protects, and prepares a table for us even in the presence of our enemies. The challenge is to let Jesus lead our lives, sit with Him, and refuse to give the enemy a seat at our table.

House Of The Lord - Jonathan Smith | Phil Wickham; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
© 2020 Be Essential Songs

Honey In The Rock – 7191257 - Brandon Lake | Brooke Ligertwood | Mitch Wong; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
2022 Brandon Lake Music

Unbroken Praise - Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
Atlas Mountain Songs

Not Even Now - Alisa Turner | Michael Farren; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
© Farren Love And War Publishing

Dancing On The Waves - Andrew Bergthold | Ed Cash | Franni Cash | Kyle Briskin | Martin Cash | Scott Cash; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
© 2019 Andrew Bergthold Designee

Raise A Hallelujah - Jake Stevens | Jonathan David Helser | Melissa Helser | Molly Skaggs; CCLI Streaming License A 20002319
© 2018 Bethel Music Publishing

Pastor Bills message, based on the book by Louie Giglio, “DON’T GIV...

06/14/2026

June 14th
Let’s circle back around to worship. Not worship service, not singing, not Saturdays or Sundays, but personal attitude and mindset everyday. I was reminded last night that you can’t take six steps without having so much to praise the Lord for every day. In other words, we have so much to be thankful for even when we are having a normal, uneventful day and even when we are in the middle of bad circumstances in our life. Even in the middle of a job we hate or turmoil in a relationship or financial struggles, we have so much to be thankful for in that moment. Often, we either have our focus or mind on the circumstances, or on our schedule. We haven’t developed the habit of being grateful or worshipful. Gratitude is a habit that changes your thinking, even physically changing the way your brain works; and worship is a habit that changes your life. Worship is life. Worship isn’t words or thoughts, it is heart and life. Jesus is quoting Isaiah here:
Matthew 15:8 “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’”
God don’t let that be me, ever. I am quick to praise Him with my lips, but I am afraid there are parts of my heart that don’t cling to Him. I don’t ever want to be far from Him. Oh I have so many more layers to surrender to Him…Praise God for His sanctification! Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit! Praise God for His patience with me! Praise God that He doesn’t leave me far from Him but points out that I need to be closer!
So it is true, I do have SO much to worship Him for every moment!! I can’t take six steps without having so much to praise Him for!!
What do you have to worship Him for right now? If you are having trouble getting started here is a short list to jog your memory:
Prevenient Grace, Saving Grace, Mercy, Sanctification, Patience, Love beyond our imagination, His rescue plan, the Holy Spirit, His perfect plan for you, His hand in your day today even when you can’t see it, you take it from here…
Jesus, thank you for your plan to purify me layer by layer as I surrender to you. Help me to be mindful of everything that can I worship you for every single moment in every situation. Thank you for not leaving me the way I am. Thank you for how you designed me to fellowship with you in the middle of my everyday life, not just in worship services. I want my heart and life to reflect worship of you not just my words, help me to move in that direction. Thank you for your perfect love.

06/13/2026

June 13th
As our kids grow up, it gets increasingly difficult to let God have control over them. I find that, for me, this is harder than giving Him control over everything else in my life. It is not that I don’t trust God, is it? I mean I know He is able to do anything, but I also know they have free will. I know the world is enticing. I know that they have to make their own choices and I don’t want them to make mistakes that I made, or go through painful things.
We give them instructions and teach them what is right, wrong, wise, and stupid in hopes that our words will ring in their ears when they face those situations. We pray and pray and pray for them to keep their hearts tethered to Jesus. We pray against the enemy and his schemes, all the while loving them and providing them with what they need. But then the bottom line is that it is their choice, it is up to them to make the right choice. As parents we have been there and we know how seemingly innocent steps can lead to Hell if you are not careful. We hope that they will remember what we have said and use it to guide them.
Wow, that is the way Jesus must feel. God gave us His Word to guide us and teach us what is right, wrong, wise and stupid, in hopes that His Words will ring out in our hearts when we face situations. HE prays for us to keep our hearts tethered to Him, and He prays against the schemes of the enemy, all the while loving us and providing us with what we need. But then the bottom line is that it is our choice, it is up to us to make the right choice. He’s been here and he knows how seemingly innocent steps can lead to Hell if you are not careful. He hopes that we will remember what He has said and use it to guide our steps and choices. Wow, I’m sorry Lord for all I put you through both past, present and future!
Letting go of control, even if it is just in our minds, yeah that is extremely hard in some areas. It is hard when you realize the gravity of the situation and your loved one doesn’t understand it yet, either due to a young age or a lack of maturity or a lack of spiritual knowledge. When others around us don’t yet realize that their spiritual choices are a matter of permanent life or death, not just a simple preference and not a choice to play around with or delay, it is hard to let go and trust God. But the simple fact is that He loves them even more than we do!
Today I am grateful that the Lord understands every single thing I am going through and I will lean on Him for what I need to let go in my mind and at the same time try to be mindful of Him while I make MY choices!!
Isaiah 48:17-18 This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.
Romans 8:33-34 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Jesus, thank you for giving me everything that I need to live well in you. Thank you for giving me your Word, and for praying for me continuously. Thank you for providing for me and for chasing me down. Holy Spirit thank you for leading me and drawing me. Forgive me Lord for not paying attention to your Words that can give me wisdom, forgive me for making decisions without consulting your wisdom, forgive me for at times ignoring your voice and all that you have taught me. Help me to lean in to all you have given me and carefully walk in your plan. Thank you for your perfect love and perfect life changing plan!

06/12/2026

June 12th
I ran across a verse the other day that really put me in my place. It made me realize once again how much I need to grow in my faith.
Psalm 112:6-7 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
I knew when I read that verse that I have so far to grow. I cannot yet say that I have no fear of bad news. Of course, having no fear of bad news doesn’t mean having no grief or disappointment or sadness when bad things happen. But I realized in reading that verse, that I do fear bad news from time to time. I do let myself get anxious about the “what ifs” in life. I do dread what could happen.
As I was writing this, I remembered what the Lord said to me once a long time ago when I was afraid as I was stepping out in faith. Because of a previous hurt I was nervous and afraid that the same thing or similar would happen again. It was in the back of my mind and more of an issue than I realized. At the time I attended a Christian conference and while there I remember the Lord asking me (not audibly) what I was afraid would happen in the particular situation. When I told Him, He said, “And I would be there to carry you through it, just like I did last time. So don’t avoid those deep waters, just go ahead and wade in.” And at that moment I found freedom from my fear.
Now 20+ years later, I realized when I read this verse that I have let fear and worry of bad news creep back in to my mind. Not about the same situation, but new things. Now in writing this I remember that I know my God, I know He knows how to carry me through the worst of situations -and bring me through well, not just by the skin of my teeth. So I will hit my knees again to fight this battle in my mind and take those thoughts captive.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Perfect love eliminates fear so I will remind myself of my capable God who will hold me close in this life and get me through every single circumstance, painful or not, in a way that only HE can. I will remind myself that He will use ALL things for my good (Romans 8:28) and His glory.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
That phrase “made perfect” in the last sentence of that verse is the Greek work teleioo which means to consecrate, finish, fulfill, make perfect, accomplish, consummate, reach the end stage or conclusion, reaching the end aim. Strong’s Concordance states that “It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full-strength (capacity effectiveness).”
THAT is what I want! I want to fully grasp His perfect love for me so that I have no room for fear or dread in me. So I will endeavor to spend time learning more and more of His love!
Will you join me in this journey?
Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 1so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Jesus, thank you for your perfect love! Help me to grasp more and more understanding of your love every day. May your perfect love change my heart, my mind and my life. I want to live with no fear. Help me to identify and surrender to you and help me to take those thoughts captive and give them to you. Thank you my capable and loving Savior and King!

06/11/2026

June 11th
Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
How is this possible?
Two things to consider about this verse. First, it must be possible, or Jesus wouldn’t have said it. If it wasn’t possible and He commanded it, then He would be condemning us to a hopeless failure. So, we must get that idea behind us. The easiest way for the enemy to defeat us is by starting us off believing we can’t do it anyway. If Jesus said to do it, then there must be a way it is possible.
The second thing to know is that we may be using the wrong definition for this word. The word perfect in this verse is the Greek word telos. In this case telos implies: “moving toward the end with a deep sense of purpose.” It does not mean absolute, divine perfection.
This command that Jesus makes is a command to move toward the purpose for which we were created.
For what purpose were we created?
We were created to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.
Luke 10:27-28 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
The call to be perfect, is a call to love.
This command to love God with our whole being should be our singular goal in everything in life. If this is our goal which guides every part of our being, our thoughts, our actions, our choices, then we will not be able to skip loving others, which is the second commandment.
So, to be perfect, we need to love; to love, we need to be holy; to be holy, we need more holy presence of God/Holy Spirit in our lives. Notice a trend here? -We don’t need to focus on less sin, instead, we need more Jesus then the less sin part will come.
Jesus, you know the end of me and the beginning of you, help that line move so that you fill me up with so much of you that your love overflows from me. When I stress about my flaws, help me to give them to you and lean in to your perfect love. Thank you for your perfect love and perfect life changing plan!