Ascend: An 11-Day Devotional With Red Rocks WorshipSample

LIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Then Jesus said in John 8, “If the Son has set you free, then you are free indeed.” If these verses are actually true, then why do we sometimes walk around in anything else but true freedom?

A lot of us probably have a similar experience to this: there are days where you feel free and some days when you simply do not. There are moments when your mind is at peace, and then there are seasons when you feel captive to your own thoughts and the thoughts of those around you. If we aren’t careful, we can easily become a child of God who has been saved by Jesus, but behaves like a prisoner of the enemy. “Living For The First Time'' was written to remind the people of God that because of what Jesus did on the cross we can truly live in complete freedom. No more looking over our shoulder, no more reliving past mistakes, and no more fear of what the future might bring. Instead we choose to stand on the truth of God! We choose to agree that we are a new creation that has been set free through the saving work of Jesus. Out with the old, and in with the new-- we have been given a fresh start to live with unashamed liberty. It is as easy as taking one breath and saying, “Amen, so be it Lord.” We agree, Jesus did the work!

Be encouraged today to live as if this is true! It’s time to surrender past shame and old regrets for a sound mind and a brand-new beginning. Trials and difficult circumstances will continue to happen; life will throw curveballs and unexpected battles will present themselves. But you can walk in confidence with the assurance that no matter what may come, you are no slave. Jesus has set you free. He has overcome the world. He has made you a new creation.Therefore, embrace today as a beloved child of God who is both alive and free!

1. Are there any areas in your life that hold you back from living in true freedom? If so, what are they?
2. What’s one step of faith you can take today that you have been putting off due to fear?

VIDEO BLURB: Most of us have shared the experience where some days we feel free and some days we simply do not. There are moments when our mind is at peace, and then there are seasons when we feel captive to our own thoughts and the thoughts of those around us. If we aren’t careful we can easily become a child of God who has been saved by Jesus, but behaves like a prisoner of the enemy. But be reminded today of Paul’s words to the Corinthians,“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”