Day one: Are you living in freedom?

The good news of the gospel is that Jesus has set us free. He has liberated us from the shackles of sin and death and given us the freedom to embrace a life filled with boundless possibilities. A life where we are fulfilling our God-given destiny and making a difference in our families, our communities, and the world at large.
 
That is why our core values at Renew Church are…
 
Know God.
Find Freedom.
Discover Purpose.
Make a Difference.
 
Are you walking in that freedom today? If not, you’re not alone. The truth is that this freedom doesn’t happen automatically the moment we believe in Jesus. Finding this freedom is a gradual process.
 
Often, we find ourselves engaging in actions we recognize as undesirable and neglecting those we should pursue. If you've grappled with this struggle, you're in good company. The apostle Paul shared this struggle, describing in his letter to the Romans the ongoing conflict between our former sinful nature and our newfound spiritual identity.
 
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.(Romans 7:21-25)
 
This conflict can often make us feel defeated… but defeat is not the final word. The final word of our liberation is in the pages of scripture, spanning the Old and New Testaments.
 
Over the next 21 days, we'll delve into God's roadmap to freedom by examining the Israelites' journey from Egyptian slavery to the liberty of the Promised Land.
 
It turns out that the Israelites were also invited to live in freedom, and they also struggled with a lot of the same feelings and issues we encounter in our modern-day lives. Their journey from slavery in Egypt to living in the Promised Land was epic and holds many lessons for us.
The story is told in the book of Exodus, but is also retold in part in many. To prepare for the road ahead, read one of the retellings found in the Bible. This will help to familiarize yourself with the story. It’s also a good idea to go back and read the book of Exodus as your next Bible reading project. 

Exodus Story Recaps:

• Psalm 78
• Psalm 106
• Acts 7 

 
Prayer Prompt: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas in your life where you need to experience freedom and then get prepared for the journey ahead.