Emancipated in Christ

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

As we reflect on today’s date, we are reminded of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which ended the enslavement of African Americans. This monumental event in the 1800s still resonates today, as many continue to walk in bondage, enslaved by the enemy. This bondage may come in various forms: drugs, alcohol, guilt, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, depression, anger, debt, hatred—the list goes on.

You are no longer a slave to anyone. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln to declare freedom for enslaved people, your freedom from Satan has been signed and sealed by the blood of Jesus. You have free will and the right to be free unless you choose to remain bound.

You may think, “I don’t know how to be free; I’ve been enslaved for so long.” If that is your heart’s cry, say, “Jesus, I want to be free from ___________, and I need Your help.” Ask Him to give you scriptures to stand on, scriptures that will sink deep into your spirit where no one can take the revelation from you. When you have His Word in you, you are free.

Remember, the one whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Let Jesus be your Lord today. Let today be the day of salvation and the end of slavery. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rise from the Tomb

John 20:1, “Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.”

Why are you hiding? What’s hindering you from being sold out to God? When a stone is placed in front of a tomb, it represents a grave with a dead body inside. When the stone is moved, the body has been moved or, in this instance in John, resurrected.

What do you need to be resurrected from? What’s holding you back? Is it guilt, shame from your past, or unforgiveness towards yourself? As a child of God, that person is dead, and you have been resurrected. You are a new person in Christ Jesus. The old you is dead. That person no longer exists.

You are God’s masterpiece, His work of art. You are made righteous because of what Jesus did for you. Don’t let the old you keep you in the tomb; the stone has been rolled away since you made Jesus Lord of your life. It’s time to step out in confidence and peace. No more being bound by your past. It doesn’t define you. Stop believing the lies of the enemy. Let the word of God come alive in you.

You are a new creation in Christ. Rise up and walk out of that tomb knowing you are somebody great and an amazing wonder through whom God wants to do great things. The stone is rolled away. Are you ready to walk out of that tomb? You are destined to win!

Exercise and Spiritual Well – being

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) – “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.”

Did you know that when you engage in aerobic exercise, you promote neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus? Exercise is not only important physically but also mentally. It reduces stress hormones in your body, improves your mood, lowers your blood pressure, gives you energy, helps you loose weight and helps you sleep better. With so many benefits of exercise, why do we often avoid it? It requires effort on our part.

Even the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that your body is the temple of God, and you must take care of it. This includes what you put into your body and how you maintain it. Just because you get older doesn’t mean you have to become stiff and barely get by, getting out of breath easily. That is not God’s best for you.

If Jesus didn’t think exercise was important, He wouldn’t have walked everywhere He went. He was physically fit to do the tasks that God called Him to do. Exercise with gratitude, offering it up as thanksgiving to the Lord. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” When you exercise, you are better able to run the race with endurance that God has called you to. You are better equipped to fulfill your purpose in many ways.

So, my challenge for you is to start doing some kind of physical exercise. This will help you run your race with endurance and do all that God has called you to do without getting tired or feeling weak. Take care of your body, both inside and out, as an act of worship and gratitude to God.