Often times we are trapped. Trapped in situations, toxic relationships, sinful habits, dead end jobs, fears, and even prisoners of what's in our minds. In the early church, Peter was trapped in prison, Arrested and held pending an sentence to death. God got Peter out. Miraculously. As God did for Peter, God will get you out!

We have an inheritance in Christ, ultimately eternity in heaven, but on this earth too.

Pentecost - the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, baptizing the 120 in the upper room in the Holy Spirit and empowering them for service. But what are the origins of the feast of Pentecost? Was it observed in the Old Testament and if so what did it mean? The church and the power of the Holy Spirit in believers is not coincidental, in fact it was always the plan of God.

Jacob was desperate for the Lord to work on His behalf. Ezra paused and declared a fast, desperate for God as they headed back to the holy land. King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast when the nation was surrounded and facing invasion by enemies. We are no different. We need to come to a point where we are desperate for God to act on our behalf, and fight the battle we face!

Believers in Christ do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. When the enemy sets up strongholds in our lives, the Lord has promised to crush them. The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty IN GOD. You will see the Lord crush these strongholds and every false accusation raised against you by the enemy, if only you stand on the promises of His new covenant.

Jesus said "if you love me keep my commandments". Where do we find the strength and power to keep His commandments (laws and rules)? The answer lies in the New Covenant, where the Lord put His Holy Spirit in the believer to "cause you to walk in His ways" (Ezekiel 36:27). Rely completely on the work of Christ at the Cross and the Holy Spirit in you to find power to walk holy.

The Cross of Christ is much more than about salvation. It is about sanctification and setting us free from sin, empowering us to live in holiness. If you are struggling in your walk, know that the answer is not in your own will power and your own efforts, but in the finished work at the Cross.

Jesus referred to the New Covenant right before His crucifixion. The importance of this New Covenant (agreement or contract) in the life of the believer lies not only in saving us, but in keeping us and giving us the power for holy living. For those who struggle, who wage battles with sin, who fail ad fail everyday, what Christ brought to pass in the New Covenant is for you.

When Christ was crucified and said "it is finished", sin was paid for and the veil of the temple was torn in two and shattered, indicating that now we can approach God through His Son. But it wasn't just payment for our sins, it was the breaking of every curse in our bloodlines, if we but only step into relationship with Christ by receiving Him as Savior and repenting of our sin.