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For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Paul spoke to the Galatians about being tied to the rigidity of the law and in this scripture, he spoke concerning the practice of circumcision. Paul’s teaching points to the grace of God which we receive through Christ Jesus as our gift of salvation. Because of our understanding that we are saved by grace and not by the works that we do as this is a free gift from God.

What a relief to know that we don’t have to be “good enough” for God to love us and Paul once described himself as the worst sinner. Paul was a Roman soldier who relentlessly pursued and terrorised the church until his remarkable transformation where Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Acts 9:1-4

God transformed the passion and zeal which Paul used to persecute the church to spread the gospel throughout the region. Imagine that Paul wrote most of the New Testament while travelling to establish churches throughout the region. A man once a murderer transformed into a missionary and apostle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God’s concern with your past is how he can transform this for the establishment of his kingdom. God has thrown our sins into the depths of the sea because he has forgiven our sin and does not remain angry with us. Micah 7:18-19

You are free from condemnation and the guilt and shame of the past. Christ Jesus died to set you free and you no longer need to be tied to the bondage of the past. Pray, repent, renounce your attachment to the past and accept God’s freedom and forgiveness. Then walk in freedom and trust that you are forgiven and forgive yourself for the mistakes that you made because God has forgiven you.

If any of us were perfect then Jesus would not have died on the cross. We were all fallen and our sin separated us from God. So in accepting his death on the cross, we also accept the free gift of salvation and accept that we have been forgiven and set free. Now walk in freedom.

A.P.-Y.

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I once had a MRI scan and I did not know before then that I was terrified of small spaces. The noise and racket from that machine caused me so much fear and panic.

The morning before the scan I set my alarm for 6a.m. but I was awake at 5a.m. Unable to go back to sleep I decided to have a quiet time of reflection and meditation. Jehovah is your name is the song that came into my spirit during that quiet time. I also meditated on the scriptures about God being with us and fighting our battles. 

During the noise, racket and fear of the scan, the words Jehovah is your name rang over and over in my head. God is with me, God is with me and he promises to never leave nor forsake me. Deuteronomy 31:6

This is a promise that amidst the noise of our lives and the many voices from the enemy to instil fear that God is present. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Psalm 46:2

When we become still and listen we will hear him speak. He is present in the storm and in the midst of trouble and despair. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm‬ ‭46:1‬ 

A. P.-Y.

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You shall decree a thing, and it shall be granted unto you, and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:28

Dominion is sovereignty or control regarding a territory of sovereign government. We know that heaven is God’s kingdom and the earth is his footstool. Isaiah 66:1

God created us to rule over the earth, to subdue it and to have dominion over every living thing that moves upon the face of the earth. Genesis 1:28 To subdue means to overcome or to bring under control.
When sin entered the world we lost that authority and the world was governed by the Prince of darkness who is our enemy.

Jesus’s birth, death and resurrection on the cross restored our relationship with God and to those who confess him to them he gives power and authority to become sons of God. John 1:12 Jesus also gives us the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions; and over every power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means harm us. Luke 10:19

Jesus’s death and resurrection also gives us victory over sin and death which the enemy tried to use to enslave us. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Jesus died so he could rise again in resurrection victory. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we also crucify our flesh to sin. So we no longer live unto the flesh but Christ Jesus lives in us. Galatians 2:20

And as we live in Christ Jesus, we also live in the power that raised him from the dead. Romans 8:11As Christians we walk in our God given authority and with the power that has been given unto us through Christ Jesus. We are also seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus and whatever things we bind on earth is also bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth is also loosed in heaven. Ephesians 2:6; Mathew 18:18

Stand in your God given authority and take your place in the kingdom of God and manifest your destiny. Use your words to decree and declare over the atmosphere and access the sovereignty over the territory you have been called to govern. You have dominion and authority; walk in it!

A.P.-Y.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

I once watched an animated movie called Kung fu Panda with a Panda who was a skilled martial artist. When Panda was a baby, his parents had been killed by a peacock who’s desire was to take over China. The Peacock had been told that he would one day be defeated by a Panda. Panda’s struggle was to find inner peace in order to fulfill his destiny of defeating the Peacock. In the end Panda learnt how to control his anger and found inner peace. Once Panda found inner peace, no weapon thrown at him by the enemy could take him out. Panda found peace and fulfilled the prophecy of defeating the Peacock.

We need the peace of God in this season to block the attacks from the enemy and to fulfill our purpose. Jesus promised his disciples that we would have peace, not in and of this world, but a peace which comes from God. He encourages us not to let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

The nightly news can cause us so much fear. There is so much happening around us to rob us of our inner peace and joy. We have to limit how much of the bad news we take in and remain in tuned with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught his disciples of troubled times to come in this world and his teachings are to help us find peace in him. “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.” John‬ ‭16:33‬

God will give us perfect peace when our minds are stayed on him, because we trust in him. Isaiah 26:3 We will not find peace in our bank account, in the government or scientists, in our jobs or earthly possessions because material things can be taken away. But the peace which God gives cannot be taken away by the challenges around us. Peace be unto you.

A.P.-Y.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton