Build a Strong Future - Thursday
Today’s Verse
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)
Sometimes, people think that life is a revolving door of serving God, waiting for bad things to happen, and hoping God will make it right someday. This is not true. Yes, we do serve God, and yes, Scripture is clear that we will have trouble (John 16:33). But we have a just God (2 Thessalonians 1:6). Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, not just to give you a free ticket into heaven, but to give you freedom. He secured your future so that you could live an abundant life now. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Do you know that? In Christ, you are free! Free from slavery. Free from addiction. Free from the burden of sin. Free from depression, anxiety, regret. Free from your past and free to live for him. You are free!
You may say, “I don’t feel free from those things.” Which may be true, but you are. God is no longer holding your sins against you. Jesus died and paid all those penalties. You are offered freedom through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. So, let’s live like we are free. Go outside. Put your toes in the water (or your boots in the snow). Ride the roller coaster, or the horse, or the bike. Jump off the dock, or out of the plane (not me, but you do you). Serve someone, hold someone, laugh with someone. Hug your kids, kiss your spouse. Read a book or your bible. Not because you have to, but because you want to get to know Jesus who gave you this freedom. Work hard. Do something harder. Run a marathon or write a book. Live your life and give glory to the One who made you free, Jesus.
REFLECTION
What are some ways we can live in freedom?