Embracing Freedom Unlocks Your Identityنموونە

DAY 1: “Embracing Freedom”

Throughout this seven day reading plan, we will explore how embracing freedom unlocks our identity. Christ has already offered and secured our freedom (Col 2:13-15). We can choose to live in that freedom and discover our God-given identity and destiny. But for many, freedom isn’t a reality. It's only an idea.

All of us encounter barriers to freedom. Barriers to freedom can be emotional, physical, spiritual or cultural. These barriers prevent us from living out our full, God-given potential.

Destiny Rescue, an international Christian nonprofit, has seen first-hand the barriers experienced by the children we rescue worldwide from sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Thousands have unlocked their God-given identities as they’ve embraced freedom.

To take the first steps in embracing freedom, we must believe that we can be free. Declaring Biblical truths not only reminds us of the truth but also begins to build our faith.

Take a moment and declare this truth over your life:

Because the Son has set me free, I am truly free (John 8:36).

Words have power! Words spoken by us and over us have the power to shape, create, unlock and even imprison. In Ezekiel 37, God spoke to Ezekiel about how the nation of Israel had previously described their situation. They described themselves by saying, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.”

Because of the barriers they were facing, they felt cut off, spiritually dry and even hopeless.

Do you feel cut off, alone, hopeless, spiritually dry and in need of refreshing? Remember John 8:36!

Destiny Rescue recalls Dalia’s words, a child rescued at 14 years old, when she said she “felt like God forgot me” as she described her life before rescue. As she walked her path to freedom, Dalia encountered the God who breaks barriers and brings complete healing and restoration.

Even though barriers can prevent us from connecting with God, friends and family—God has a plan for you, just like He had a plan for Dalia.

In Ezekiel 37, God says He will raise them from their graves, put His Spirit in them and settle them in their own land. God knew the barriers that prevented them from living in freedom, and He gave Ezekiel this vision to alert the people to the reality that freedom was coming for them.

God saw people's needs and planned to bring freedom, healing and restoration. Let that encourage you for a moment. God sees you! Yes, you, right where you are in this moment. Before you were born, God made a plan, through Jesus, to provide for your freedom because He loves you, knows you, and wants you to live with hope.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You that you see me—right here, right now. I believe You have provided a way for me to live in freedom through Jesus. Thank You that I can be rescued from barriers that prevent freedom and for a new life through Your Spirit.

Help me walk forward in the freedom that You have provided, and like Ezekiel, help me to let someone know that freedom is available for them too.

I pray for the over one million kids trapped in the evil of exploitation and human trafficking. Set them free, bring them healing and empower them to walk forward in their God-given identities.

In Jesus' name, Amen.