For a former POW, there’s a clear distinction between living as a prisoner and living as a free man. Many Christ-followers, however, struggle to understand and embrace the freedom they’ve been given. As children of God, we were part of the ultimate rescue mission. Once held captive by sin and under the control of Satan, Jesus rescued us through His death and resurrection. He paid the penalty of our sin. At the moment we trusted Him as our Savior, He set us free from the power of sin. This is the gospel, the good news, that the apostle Paul celebrated and was eager to proclaim:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith” (Romans 1:16-17).

We should continually celebrate the salvation and freedom God has given us. By His power, we can overcome every struggle with sin:

“In freedom Christ has made us free — completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery”  (Galatians 5:1).

Will you embrace and proclaim the freedom you have in Christ? In the words of hymn writer John Newton and Christian artist Chris Tomlin:

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. My chains are gone; I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace.”

The most sure-footed of all mountain animals is the hind. She is a beautiful creature, a female red deer who inhabits the higher slopes of mountainous terrain. Her feet are skinny, appearing fragile and weak. Yet she is able to nimbly navigate treacherous mountain slopes. She adroitly springs from narrow rocky ledges, summiting vast heights as freely as a bird in flight. Wherever the hind chooses to place her front feet, her back feet follow in perfect precision. Each forward motion is followed through with a single-focused consistency that carries her upward in safety.

Christ-followers are constantly climbing as well, sometimes up very steep and treacherous paths. Our goal is to reach the mountain peak without stumbling, slipping or falling, presented faultless before the presence of God’s glory. God calls us ever upward, to scale successfully the challenges of constant temptations, troubling circumstances and difficult people. We are to climb in His power, following in the footsteps and directions of His Son. Like David, we believe that it is:

“God who girds me with strength and makes my ways perfect. He makes my feet like hinds’ feet (able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble); He sets me securely upon my high places” (Psalm 18:32-33).

As the hind lives in the heights, we too are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. At salvation, we were raised with Him to dwell above all principalities and dominions of sin and darkness. Clinging to Jesus makes us as sure-footed as the hind. We climb to new heights of holy victory over sin instead of stumbling in defeat.

Are you following in the footsteps of Christ? Confess your weakness and lack of strength apart from Him. Yield humbly to the authority of His words and His Spirit. In His power, you will nimbly traverse the rockiest and narrowest of ways as if on an open plain. You will stand victoriously above the sins that used to keep you in the valley of defeat.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name…and relies on Me.”

Psalm 91:14

Weather patterns can change quickly. Even with meteorological advancements such as the pulse-Doppler radar system, the exact nature, timing and path of an oncoming weather front cannot be predicted with certainty. Our thoughts and emotions have a similar, unpredictable pattern. We can wake one morning full of spiritual zeal: excited to walk with God, confident in His presence and provision. Then hours later, like a sudden shift in the weather, stormy emotions and turbulent thoughts flood our soul, shaking our faith.

These unpredictable shifts in our mental and emotional climates present a wonderful opportunity to walk by faith, not by our feelings or sight. John the Baptist experienced such an opportunity when he was hit with a storm of epic proportion. While faithfully fulfilling his God-given ministry, John was unjustly placed in prison. This storm shook his faith. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3) He must have wondered: If Jesus was the Messiah, why was he enduring such devastating circumstances? At times, you may wonder this as well.

As Jesus confirmed that He was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, He spoke to His followers in every generation:

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it”  (Matthew 11:12).

Certain climates and conditions require us to exert great force in order to saturate our minds and align our emotions with God’s truth. In such times we must rise up in bold faith, claiming our God-given provision:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

We can remind God of His promises. We do so by persistently asking for and claiming all He has provided for us in Christ Jesus.

For the unexpected storms, as well as the predictable ones, come boldly and confidently to God’s throne of grace. He will provide everything you need. Then wait under the umbrella of expectant faith, holding tightly to His promises. His provisions will rain down from heaven, flooding your life with His glory and grace.

Through the centuries, great teachers have played a significant role in maximizing the potential of their students. One such teacher, Anne Sullivan, was hired by desperate parents to help unlock the darkness of their blind and mute daughter’s mind. The young teacher, blind from the age of eight, then abandoned shortly thereafter, understood the dark and lonely world of her pupil. Anne eventually graduated as the valedictorian of the Perkins School for the Blind in 1886. She became the first teacher to find success with a blind and mute student. Under her tutelage, Helen Keller transitioned from an unruly and undisciplined child to become one of the most accomplished and influential women of the twentieth century. Helen’s beloved teacher and lifelong companion became known as the “Miracle Worker.”

The children of God have been given the most extraordinary resident teacher and Miracle Worker of all time. Like Helen Keller, we were in a desperate state. Blinded by sin, we were unable to hear the voice of Truth. The Holy Spirit awakened our hearts to see our need of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation, God sealed His presence within us through the permanent indwelling of His Spirit. The Spirit of Truth teaches us Christ’s words, comforts us and counsels us with godly wisdom. As we come to Christ in daily communion, the Holy Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts. His pure love is the basis of our trusting and obedient responses to the words of Christ.

Helen Keller responded to the unconditional and patient love of her teacher. The results were miraculous. Are you yielding to the love, power and authority of the wisest Teacher and Miracle Worker you will ever know? Humbly and gratefully invite the Holy Spirit to fill you daily. You will experience the miraculous working of His power as He dispels the darkness of sin. A legacy of godly and extraordinary influence will be yours.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth…He lives with you and will be in you.”

John 14:16-17

“God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.”

The words above have stuck in my mind for many years. At first, I interpreted the statement in light of a call to a ministry role. Today, it holds a much broader and deeper meaning for me. It’s a truth that should guide our daily lives.

God places many calls upon our lives. He calls us to love others as we love ourselves, to hope in troubled times, to give thanks in all circumstances. God calls us to many things, but not one of them comes because He expects us to be equipped in our own resources and strength. God calls us so He can equip us. For all we need, Jesus said,

“Come to Me.”  Matthew 11:28

Jesus will be all you need, but first, you must believe:

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Hebrews 11:6

The full and abundant life God offers only comes as we allow Jesus to meet our needs. As we come to Him believing He can and will provide, we will receive everything we need.

God sees your struggle. He will be your strength.

God sees your disappointment. He will give you hope.

God sees your exhaustion. He will increase your power when you are weak.

God sees the battle raging in your mind. He will fight for you. He will uphold you.

God said we could do all things if we allow Christ to be our strength (Philippians 4:13). Will you seek God for everything you need today? Whatever God calls you to, whatever He allows into your life, He will strengthen you to walk through it. In fact, your weaknesses are a platform on which He can display His glory and strength.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9