Skip to main content

Fight to Follow

    When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, they were washed away. He died so that we could be free. Free from sin, free from shame, free from sickness, free from bondage in any way in our lives. We don't have to wait to live in these truths because it has already been given to us! His death completed the job. Why aren't we living in that freedom? 

John 19:30 Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (NIV)

    Although Jesus died to give us life, many of us are still living in death. We have accepted darkness in our lives as "just the way it is" instead of casting it out. We have let Satan walk all over us instead of fighting His control over our lives with Jesus. Why are we accepting death and darkness in our lives when redemption, joy, and life are readily available for us? 

    Let me tell you friends, when we have Jesus, we have absolute authority over darkness and sin's hold on our lives. We can cast out those things and they have to go. The name of Jesus gives us the power we need to overcome this world like He has. 

John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (NIV)
Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. (NASB)
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (NIV)

    We can no longer be living in defeat my brothers and sisters! It is time to claim authority over our lives in Jesus' name. It is time to be living in the power of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, and not in our own strength. He works in us and through us and we have no excuses to live defeated when we have His power available to us. Wake up and start living free of the things that enslave you to the god of this world so you can start living fully for Jesus! He needs your full, undivided attention. I will say it again: wake up and fight to follow Jesus. You are free!

John 14:16-20 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (NIV)

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (ESV)
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (ESV)
1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (ESV)
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (ESV)
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (ESV)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Listen Up

    Is Jesus talking to you? I hear many people wonder how to hear God's voice and what to listen for. I want to offer a bit of wisdom on the topic. If you are wondering if God is talking to you, the answer is yes. We were designed to have a relationship with our creator and He is always there trying to get ahold of you if you'll only pay a little attention.     How does God communicate with us? The first way is through His word. Those are direct words from God Himself, written through His people. The Bible is our instruction manual to life. Whatever difficulty we may be facing, there is always an answer in scripture. God, having known every need before we ever needed it, has already provided an answer. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (ESV)     The second way God communicates with us is by talking directly to us. Just like Adam and Eve spok...

1 2 3, Count on Me

     I am thankful to say that for the first time in my life I am surrounded by friends and a community who I know will always build me up and point me in the right direction. More importantly, I know that they will always be honest with me. Honesty is a rare trait these days and I think it to be (combined with love) the most important thing to have in any relationship.    The Bible instructs us to speak life and truth into one another. To be honest and point each other to Christ when we are failing to see straight. I cannot emphasize how much I have grown since having access to that kind of community. Being in close friendships where I am able to be completely honest about my life, my struggles, my thoughts without fear of rejection or judgement is monumental alone. But take that a step further. I have been blessed to have friends that I can not only share my most intimate thoughts with, but they additionally are on their toes looking out for me and honest wh...

Humble Pie

    One of the most valuable characteristics in our walk with Christ is humility. When we have the ability to humble ourselves before Jesus and accept His leading, we go far. But problems arise when we force our own way. Humility is a characteristic that allows us to accept correction and truth and grow stronger because of it. Pride keeps us tied down and unable to grow up in Christ.     We have our brothers and sisters around us to keep pointing us to Jesus. That means helping us through areas not aligned with Him and combating those areas with the truth. But if we get angry and reject those people, we miss out on growing up for sake of being "right" and lose the people Jesus put in our lives for His sake. It doesn't matter if we are right but only that we follow what Jesus calls right and good. He is the one true judge and if we respect His ultimate goodness and authority, we should aim to follow in His ways.     Do not let your pride stunt your spiri...