Devotion: Set the Captive Free

Set the Captive Free
A devotion by Alexis A. Goring

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy, instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” 

–Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, was an American abolitionist and social activist. She is famous for not only escaping slavery but going on many missions to set slaves—including her family and friends—free through what American history books call the “Underground Railroad.” This was a network of anti-slavery activists and safe houses that assisted slaves on their journey to freedom.

Tubman is also known for this quote: “I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”

I reflected on the meaning of this during a crucial time for members of the African Diaspora on American soil. A spiritual parallel formed in my mind: Jesus Christ wants to set sinners free from the shackles of sin, just like Tubman set the slaves free from that unjust and evil system. But do we know we’re sinners in need of a Savior? We are all sinners saved by God’s grace, but so many of us feel like we don’t need Him. We feel that we can live without Him. Many of us are so adverse to religion that we say things like “Christianity is just not my thing,” all the while we don’t realize that we are in a battle between good and evil.

The Bible is clear: in the end, God wins! He is forgiving and compassionate. He will forgive all your sins if you confess and repent. God wants to reconcile you so that you will spend eternity with Him. This eternity is completely free from sin, suffering and sorrow. It’s a perfect place where all is well and filled with goodness. But to do that, we have to first realize we are sinners in need of a Savior.

We must accept Christ’s gift of salvation and follow Him all the way to Heaven. We must know that Earth is not our home. The Bible says we are pilgrims passing through this Earth (1 Chronicles 29:15) and that Heaven is our final destination. Just like Tubman set many slaves free, the Bible says that God wants to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). That’s us. We need to be delivered from sin.

Our eyes must be opened so that we don’t fall prey to the devil’s wiles. We need to reject the ways of this world and allow Christ to renew our minds. Then we can know God’s will (Romans 12:1-2). We need our Savior more than we know. Time is short. God will not allow this sin parade to continue forever. A time will come when He tells Jesus to go get His children (all who chose God and lived for Him). When that happens, it will be too late to choose good over evil. The Bible says that God will say “Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” (Revelation 22:11).

This is the real deal. God doesn’t play. He wants us all to be saved, but one day He will say, “enough is enough.” He will rescue His children and destroy the devil and all of his evil angels, along with humans who choose evil. He beautifully promised in Revelation 21:4 (NIV): “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Place your hope in God, not humankind (Psalm 146:3-9). Remember that He loves you with all of His Heart! He’s done everything to reconcile your heart with His (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). All you have to do is accept Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation (John 3:16), believe in God, then follow Jesus all the way to Heaven.

Song of Reflection: “Just for Me” (song) by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

Sharing Our Stories: We need each other

Not "Me, Myself and I"
A guest post by Kai A. Pineda

“I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, “I’m not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don’t belong to this body,” would that make it so? If Ear said, “I’m not beautiful like Eye, transparent and expressive; I don’t deserve a place on the head,” would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it.”

–1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (MSG)

To be created equal in America has meant something different for each American.

Our history tells us we have not always been equal, and our current climate shows us we still have far to go. But why within the confines of Christianity have we adopted the notion that one group, one denomination, and or race is superior than the other? Why are we acting as if one is not necessary and we can get along or carry on without one another? WE CANNOT!

The world would have us believe you do not need anyone. The best thing you can do is to adopt a “Me, Myself and I,” attitude. If you are focused on yourself and making sure you are good above anyone else, then you will be successful. The truth is, this is not true at all. Think about it for a moment. How lonely would it be if you believed you were capable of doing everything by yourself, within yourself?

I am innately an introvert. I am very comfortable being by myself and with myself.

However, I am very aware of the dangers awaiting anyone who does not connect with others.

Because of my role as a pastor, I am with people quite often. I can honestly say I would have never thought I would be a pastor. Because of my love for God and obedience I accepted the call on my life and it has allowed me to meet some of the most incredible people. I, the introvert, love meeting new people, and engaging and learning about others. Their culture, ways they grew up, and their faith, intrigues me.

I have learned to appreciate the nuances and subtleties of the human race.

It is our unique make-up that makes the world truly beautiful.

Let’s pray: Dear God, Help me to break out of my own way of doing and seeing things. As a part of the global Body of Christ I cannot only think about me. Give me your heart towards my brothers and sisters who I know and those I do not. Remove any selfish ways in me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

I am a fire-starter and a passionate student of the Bible who helps others discover their identity and the beauty within the Body of Christ by leading them into an encounter with the Word of God.
I am married to a man I am madly in like with and love more than I can explain. Together we plant home fellowships within the U.S. and abroad.

I am an author who released her first book, Dear Church: Vol 1: The Beauty of The Body, in 2019. The second volume will be released in 2021.

I have recorded two praise and worship albums and love to travel.

I am an introvert who loves her family, people, rainy days, a chai latte from Starbucks, and my Maltipoo McLovin.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nor challenging people to live lives based on a biblical standard and not personal preferences.

~*~
Connect with Kai:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kai.a.pineda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkaiapineda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kai_A_Pineda
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/92920689-kai-pineda

Sharing Our Stories: An Introduction

Sharing Our Stories: Being the Change We Seek
An Introduction post by Alexis A. Goring

We are living in troubled times.

These days, you don’t have to watch the news to see it.

But we have HOPE. His Name is Jesus Christ and He loves you with His very life! Read John 3:16 in The Holy Bible for background about that fact.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know that this life here on Earth is not going to be perfect because of the side-effects of sin which include but are not limited to: hatred, prejudice, racism, oppression, injustice, pain, suffering, sorrow and ultimately, death.

But again, we have hope in Jesus Christ!

Human history will not continue like this forever. One day all of this suffering will end when God sends His Son (Jesus Christ) back to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven. If you want to experience a happily-ever-after that’s REAL and lasts for all of eternity then that is a good reason to follow Jesus Christ. 

Only Jesus can equip us with the tools that we need to survive this sin-ridden world. Only Jesus can show us that there is hope on the horizon. Only Jesus can help us want to treat each other way we want to be treated (otherwise known as “The Golden Rule” OR Matthew 7:12, because it’s also in the Bible).

In light of everything we’re going through here on Earth, I’ve created this new series that will launch on Sunday, Sept. 6 and continue on a weekly basis. The series is called “Sharing Our Stories: Being the Change We Seek.” Every Sunday, starting in September 2020, one of my writers will share their heart on the topics that divide us with hope of uniting us.

It is my hope that through launching and coordinating this new series on this “On My Heart” blog that everyone who reads the words by my kind-hearted, faith-based writers, will be inspired to live like Jesus tells us to live (Micah 6:8). I hope that we will truly seek to treat others the way that we want to be treated (with kindness, respect and dignity). I hope that we will learn how to love each other the way that Jesus loves every one of us (regardless of our looks, ethnicity or culture). May we finally realize that there really is only ONE race (the HUMAN race) and we’re ALL in this story called life together.

I’m hoping that hearts will soften, empathy will increase and a Christ-like love will abound within the soul of every single reader.

This series is meant to move beyond having “hard” and “courageous” coffeehouse conversations; it will serve as a catalyst for change. We endeavor to be kind to each other and to understand where we’re coming from as we read each other’s stories and share our hearts. Our goal is racial reconciliation with the hope of preparing our hearts for a better country, a heavenly one (as Hebrews 11:16 describes).

This world will not last forever. But faith in God and His Kingdom will.

While we’re traveling through this human experience on Earth, it is my hope that though perfection and harmony will not be completely achieved until Heaven, we will learn to be kind to each other. Everyone is fighting some sort of battle. Words have the power to destroy but they also have the power to heal. Will you join me in creating a space where words can help heal the hurting hearts of humankind?

Sincerely with love,

Alexis A. Goring, MFA
Founder of “On My Heart” (blog)
https://coveringitall.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas 2019: An e-card for you! :)

A Message for you on this Easter Sunday

The Cross of Christ can also be referred to as the "Mercy Tree." God is REAL. His Son JESUS Christ is ALIVE and He loves YOU with His very Life! Read John 3:16-17.

I hope that you and your loved ones will have a joyous Easter Sunday as we celebrate God's heart of Love and Jesus Christ's sacrifice that He did for us to have the hope of eternal life.

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