January 22, 2025

Good morning Advent family,

We’ve learned how submitting to Jesus’ authority begins to reveal darkness in or lives, today we will talk about the power that Jesus unleashes in our lives to continually overcome the darkness and be set free. Today’s devotional will take us a little deeper in how to apply this in our lives. 

Freedom Through His Power

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” -John 8:36

The man in Mark 1:25-26 was controlled by an unclean spirit, bound in a way that he could not free himself. The moment Jesus commanded the spirit to leave, the man experienced true freedom. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture, this was real, tangible deliverance. Similarly, many of us experience bondage in our lives. It may not be possession, but it could be fear, addiction, anger, anxiety, or guilt, anything that would present itself against truly being free in Christ. These chains hold us back from living the abundant life that Jesus desires for us. The good news is that Jesus’ power is still at work. When He sets us free, it’s a complete and lasting freedom.

Imagine a bird trapped in a cage. If the door is suddenly opened, the bird might hesitate, unsure if it’s truly safe to leave. In the same way, we often hold onto things that Jesus has already freed us from—fear, guilt, or unhealthy habits. Consider the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. Though they were physically free, they often longed to return to Egypt because they struggled to trust God’s provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16:2-3). True freedom isn’t just about leaving behind captivity; it’s about trusting Jesus to lead us forward.

  • Identify What Holds You Back:
  • Take a moment to reflect on areas in your life where you feel stuck or weighed down. Is it fear, a recurring sin, shame, or something else? Write these down.
  • Declare Jesus’ Power:
  • Speak the truth of John 8:36 over your life: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Pray for His power to break these chains.
  • Take a Step Toward Freedom:
  • Freedom isn’t always instantaneous. Consider one small, tangible step you can take today to walk in the freedom Jesus offers. For example, confess a struggle to a trusted friend, forgive someone, or replace negative self-talk with Scripture.
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Let us pray, Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You offer through Your power. Help me to trust in Your ability to break every chain that holds me back. Give me the courage to leave behind the things that no longer have power over me because of Your victory. Teach me to walk in the freedom You’ve given me, one step at a time. In Your name, Amen.

As always Jesus loves you and so do I

Pastor Will 


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