“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Heroes are fearless and full of courage. One of my favorite heroes is Harriet Tubman. “Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made more than nineteen missions to rescue more than 300 slaves…”
What amazes me the most about Harriet Tubman is what she did AFTER she was free….she went back to set the captives free!
Like Harriet Tubman, I too was born into slavery…a different kind of slavery: slavery to sin, but praise be to God I have been set free through Jesus Christ and now that I know Him and have tasted and seen the LORD is good I have the calling to set the captives free!
I’m learning there are a lot of things that can happen between now and my physical death, and my salvation is more than living in heaven with God…eternal life started when I was born again and I was given ears to hear God, eyes to seek His kingdom and a heart to know and love God. I have been entrusted with these gifts and now I am a steward of the mysteries of God. What I do with these gifts will determine whether I am a faithful steward…or not.
God says, “to those who have been given much, much is required.” I am enjoying my relationship with God, and this sweet fellowship through the blood of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit is more fulfilling than anything I can explain.
But now what? Am I to recline with my Bible, listen and sing worship music and pray in one place only? Is that what I’m called to do? No! God has been clear: I must go and tell others the good news while clothed and anointed by His Holy Spirit, I must proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners! (Matthew 28:19 Acts 1:4-5 Isaiah 61)
With a mournful heart I look out in this world and see:
- People in bondage to sin, lonely and lost and yet do not know the remedy.
- People in bondage to sin and yet do not want anything different.
- People who have tasted and seen the LORD is good but have become distracted by the things of this world and quench and grieve the Holy Spirit living in them.
- People who are free but are still standing in their jail cells with gates wide open unable to walk through the threshold because they lack faith and do not believe they have been forgiven because the accuser whispers lies to them.
With a joyful heart I also see soldiers for Christ clothed in the armor of God setting captives free through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I have been every one of these examples but the one I want to remain is a soldier for Christ filled with His Spirit setting captives free!
The only remaining I want to do is to remain in Christ. The only waiting I want to do is in The Lord, waiting patiently for the filling of His Holy Spirit because it is only by the anointing of His Holy Spirit that the captives are set free!
I embrace the responsibility to be a faithful steward of the ministry of reconciliation I have been given. I don’t always do this perfectly and I’ve had plenty of missed opportunities but in those occasions I fall on God’s grace and mercy and press on toward the upward calling He has given me.
I’m learning I must continually be in a position of humility taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, confessing my sins and remaining in repentance toward God so I can remain holy as He is Holy.
I must be careful not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit Who lives in me…only then can God use me as a holy sanctified vessel for His use. He is the One who does it and He is looking for yielded vessels that will cooperate with the Holy Spirit, vessels of mercy and grace that will say, not my will but Your will be done...’
The love of God compels me to tell those in bondage they no longer have to be a slave to sin and death. Though sin has created a separation between us and God, God has made a way to be reconciled through the blood of Jesus Christ who has taken the punishment of the sins of the world. Jesus not only died for our sins but He rose from the dead three days later and He is alive today and has prayed we would receive a Helper, the Holy Spirit Who guides us into all truth and gives us the courage to live in this world!
We must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths Jesus Christ as Lord and yield ourselves completely to His Holy Spirit and walk in newness of LIFE! May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
Recline now or later? I choose later…
Altar of Heaven 
June 20th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
This was a timely word for a restless wreck like me. Thank you for the encouraging admonishment. The model used is perfect, she followed the model of Jesus in a time of destitution and persecution and selflessly yielded her life to save others. I have been washed this morning by the truth of this word thanks .
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June 21st, 2013 at 3:17 pm
I’m glad you were encouraged my sister, God be praised! It’s nice to have fellowship with you 🙂 thank you for stopping by!
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June 23rd, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Hi Arcelia,
I also believe in the Holy Spirit’s power in me. Here is my testimony where I received the Holy Spirit palpably.
http://robinclaire.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/how-robin-was-saved-part-1-3/
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June 24th, 2013 at 12:53 pm
“Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances, and to GOD the Lord belongs escapes from death.” Psalm 68:19-20
Hi Robin! I enjoy reading and hearing testimonies of God’s deliverances and I enjoyed yours! Testimonies must be shared with all because it shows He IS ALIVE and we are reminded of the importance of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the word of our testimonies in Revelation 12:11! Thank you for sharing my sister Robin and for telling others!
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