NOW is the Time to Claim Your Freedom!

 

View the original post at DesireeMMondesir.com!

This is the season of Easter and Passover. In the Scripture we learn that the traditions, beliefs, practices, etc. of the Old Testament were filtered through the Cross of Christ and into the dispensation we now live in. This results in three possible outcomes:

• Practices that Are Eradicated: Such as daily washings and cleansings, not eating shellfish, etc. have been completely done away with. (And thank God because I LOVE shrimp!)
• Practices that Are Revised: Such as Animal Sacrifice. We no longer sacrifice animals because when Christ gave His life on the cross, He became the Ultimate, eternal sacrifice.
• Practices that Are the Same: We yet gather together in unity because whether Old or New Testament, the commandment remains the same. The location may have changed from a temple to a church or synagogue, yet our unity remains the same.

The celebration of Passover and Easter is another example of a practice that has been revised. And although I will not pretend to be a Jewish expert, I do know the Scripture and it paints a clear enough picture.

God did not send Christ to earth haphazardly. Neither did Christ act haphazardly once He reached the earth. Therefore the fact that Christ’s apprehension, trial, death, and resurrection all happened during the feast of Passover was not a coincidence.

In the Book of Exodus, the blood of the Passover lamb allowed the Spirit of Death to “pass over” the Children of Israel.

When Christ allowed Himself to be crucified and descended into the depths of the earth to give Satan the biggest surprise of his life to date, Christ conquered death and captivity.

When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Ephesians 4:8) 

He confirmed the completion of that quest when He resurrected from the grave.

Now here’s my point. Those “gifts” referred to in Ephesians are your talents and skills. And these gifts indicate your purpose and your destiny.

Now let’s visit the Book of Isaiah.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me…TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES, AND THE OPENING OF THE PRISON TO THOSE WHO ARE BOUND; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Isaiah 61:1-2 emphasis mine)

We see here (and Jesus quotes this passage in the Gospel of Luke and fulfills it) that Christ was specifically anointed to “proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” It also declares that NOW is the acceptable or favourable year of the Lord. 

So what are you waiting for??

Your freedom to fulfill your purpose was already purchased, your gifts already given. Now all you have to do is accept it and walk in it.

This is what Release the Captive Voice is all about. Allowing your voice and your message—your gifts—to be unchained and released into the world!

What is the good of a present that goes unopened? Or a gift card that remains unredeemed?

You have been given a magnificent gift card and NOW is the time to make good on it by redeeming it to the benefit of yourself, your career, your ministry, and the world.

You have until Sunday, March 31^st at 11:59pm, EST to register for Release the Captive Voice Online Course.

I can’t wait to start this #captivenomore journey with you next week!

To learn more about Release the Captive Voice Online Course, see here.

Understanding Your Divine Design by Marshawn Evans

Ms. Marshawn Evans of ME Unlimited

View the original post on MarshawnEvans.com!

For we are Christ’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do.
–Ephesians 2:10

This is one of the scriptures I return to most often and for me, this one is perfect for us who are messengers. It really just describes the entire journey of stepping into our BIG purpose.

Curious? Let me explain. I see four key pieces here. The first is  “workmanship,” and to me that means that you are a custom creation, that there is no one like you. Nobody else has the stuff that you have and has been created in the way that you have. You are a custom, tailor-made, one-of-a-kind creation.

You should never try to imitate and replicate what has already been done… because it has already been done! The world needs what only you have and it is already present in you. Any time you look outside of yourself to find something that is only within yourself, you miss the mark every single time.

A second piece is around good works. Your existence and presence here on Earth is to be able to do good works. 

You have to understand that there is a purpose to your voice.

Good works are part of what you are expected to do and what you have been designed for. You’ve been designed to do awesome and amazing things.

Is that overwhelming? Well, it’s only natural to shrink back and think your vision is too big.

But what this scripture tells you is that you were pre-designed for the amazing. You were pre-designed for the incredible. You were pre-designed as a messenger.

I know this about you because if this wasn’t true for you, you wouldn’t have felt that tug you’ve been feeling. You see, not everybody will hear the invitation that you have heard. Those who have been pre-designed for something else won’t resonate with your tug because they have their own version of it.

But you, my friend… if you are reading this, I know that you have been listening to your invitation to be a messenger in the world.

The third piece is “in advance.” You might be surprised by some of the things that God shows you about your life, about your business, about your calling, and about your own significance—but He’s not. He knew about all of the things that He would have for you from the very beginning. He knew who needed you. He designed you in such a way to meet the needs that other people have.

There is one last piece—the word, “do.” Yes, action is required. It’s not enough to know what you are here to do, to say, and to share. You actually have to do it. God really knows whether you are serious. You really can’t fake this. Think about it…. What happens when you get busy and take on other activities? You do every single thing except use the unique thing that you’ve been given to do. And you end up wasting it.

I always say that God will extend an invitation, but He will not give the information and instruction until after you have accepted the invitation.

I know you’ve heard the invitation. Now, what are you going to do with it? I believe that if you won’t respond, someone else will. God doesn’t lose. He doesn’t know how to lose. Purpose only knows how to win.

And this is your time to respond. Your time to act. Your time to step into your purpose.

What will you do?

About the Author

Marshawn Evans is a Global Mentor and Catalyst for Women looking to Launch Their Dreams and Live Their Purpose. She equips others to AMPLIFY their lives, their leadership and their legacy by teaching the principles of influence, branding, and divine purpose. Her weekly eZine goes out to thousands of subscribers. Are you ready to unleash your brilliance and align with your REAL destiny? Sign up for a FREE subscription at http://marshawnevans.com. 

Releasing the Captives Watercolour by Diana J. Jones

My friend and childhood neighbor, the woman who introduced me and my siblings to the Chronicles of Narnia (this woman deserves an offering!) created this beautiful watercolour painting entitled “Releasing the Captives.”

Here is her description of the painting:

There is a split down the center: Lion/Lamb on left. The Lion has a key, the Lamb has a lamp. The Captives are on the right: one in chains, in water, the other in a dark cave which is actually a hand of oppression. Crosses and morning sun are on left side. Done in watercolor. (Diana J. Jones)

Doesn’t that Lion remind you of Aslan, the Son of the Emperor over the Sea?! This painting reminds me of the second half of Prince Caspian (the third Chronicle of Narnia) where Aslan is bounding through Narnia freeing those held captive by the Tel-Marines or in the first Chronicle: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe wherein Aslan (again) runs around turning the poor iced creatures, victims of Jadis, the White Witch and false Queen of Narnia, and enabling them to join in Aslans army to eternally defeat the pretender-queen!

What a powerful image!

So tell me, what is holding YOUR voice and YOUR message captive?? What form of fear have you allowed to keep you captive when Christ has already set you free?? 

If you are struggling with this, I can help you. Register for Release the Captive Voice and learn how to unleash the voice and message that God has given you!

Spread the word, begin the movement. #captivenomore

REGISTER FOR CLASS TODAY!