Brand New Free

Welcome Dear Friends.... 

On Sunday November 30, 2014 I was invited to Bearan Church of God to preach my first sermon. Now, I have never thought of myself as a preacher or even expected such a prestigious invitation but I am passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ so I was so honored to be asked. God is truly awesome!!!!

As I prayed and fasted about what my message should be about, I heard an Alicia Keys' song "Brand New Me" and even though it is not a gospel song, something ministered to me. I begun to feel free... then I heard the Lord said 'Crystal, you have found a Brand New Free (Freedom in Me)'... This totally wrecked my heart.

We grew up in a society that tells us, how we are 'free' from slavery, we are free because we can do what we want, when we want and how we want. The lost world convinces us that we can and should live anyway and that is freedom. Independence, material success and fame are synonyms to living free. Now, as a woman of God that has lived that life - partying, fornicating, busy getting degrees, buying house, car and doing all I want to do; I can say Life without Christ is a life of bondage and slavery under sin. I can stand boldly on the other side of true freedom with Jesus Christ and say He has truly set me free - BRAND NEW FREE! 

In the book of John Chapter 8 verses 31-36, Jesus spoke to the Jews about the Truth  that can set them free. Verse 34-36 states "Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

I accepted Christ in December 2009 and though nothing spectacular happened, I was really lost, empty and weary. I knew something was missing so I started going to church and it felt right. I wanted a better life, I wanted to ensure I went to heaven when I die and I knew God was good because He was always there for me and when I prayed, my prayers were answered. I lived like a "christian" for three (3) months. I couldn't manage because I was remorseful about my sins but I never repented (giving my all to God). 

Many of us accept Christ because we hear a message and it makes us emotional. We feel guilty but not convicted. We feel like we need a free ticket to heaven in case we die. I know I did.. but I didn't truly want to live for Christ. I knew God's grace, mercy and forgiveness so I rode on that and used it as an excuse to live however I pleased. But Galatians 5:13 says we should not use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to live in sin. I wanted the world, I wanted to fit in, I really didn't understand what was holiness or what being a true Christian was. 

My dear readers.. The WORLD is under slavery. Slavery of Satan! 

We live in the world where we think saying the sinner's prayer, going to church or being a 'good' person, we are free. That's a lie!!!!
Galatians 3:22 says the whole world is a prisoner because of sin. So, the only way we can be free is by truly accepting God's gift of salvation through faith and being born again. 

Many persons baptize and attend church weekly, even serve on ministries but are living in sin. Yes Christians sin, but they don't live in habitual sin. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says when we come to Christ we are a new creation, so we cannot live the same way we used to and call ourselves Christians or say we are 'Christian minded'. 
Repentance means we truly turn away from the old lifestyle and turn to Christ. Holiness means we are set apart, called to be the salt and light of the world. 

To be Brand New Free.. You must be SAVED!! You must REPENT!!! You must be HOLY!!! 

Brand New Free doesn't come easy..

1) I lost many friends (not by choice but we just didn't have the same things in common anymore)
2) I had to let go of what I thought was fun (Partying, Clubbing, Drinking, 'One drop') 
3) SEX - Yes I stopped fornicating and decided that I will save myself for my husband
4) I had to stop wearing certain clothes (start dressing modestly)
5) Stopped saying certain things (gossiping)

WAS IT HARD?? Of course!! But daily God gave me a new heart, new desires and a new nature. I started to hate sin and truly wanted to live a life for Jesus Christ. 

My Brand New Free allowed me to stop walking in condemnation and regret. 
I am free from drama.. Free from depression.. Free from lies, hurt and pain! 

I became a different person.  A prayer warrior... A mentor and role model.. A minister (preaching and evangelizing).

I am surely not perfect but I stepped out of prison (slavery under Satan) and stepped in to freedom. FREEDOM IN CHRIST!!! 


Friends you can be freed... Whatever you are facing - drugs, fornication, homosexuality, masturbation, depression, alcohol, anger, fear, pride etc. Jesus can set you free from it!!
Christ came for sinners.. He loves us so much He died for our sins. He died for our condemnation. He died for our bondage and addictions. Choose Jesus Christ TODAY!! Without Him we are nothing. What will your decision be?? God or Satan? You can't have both!


To God to be Glory**** 

Crystal 

Feel free to email me: shachene@gmail.com