Tag: FreeIndeed

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A Clear Conscience

We all have things we’ve done that we really don’t want anyone to know about. Simple embarrassing things, mistakes made in our youth and those hidden secrets we don’t want to share with anyone.

We know ourselves better than anyone else. We know our failures and our secret or hidden thoughts. But God knows those too and He has provided a way to be freed from a guilty conscience.

This is a longer read today but I’m sure you’ll be glad you took the time to read it over and let it sink in. Let it bring a change to your way of thinking. You are who God says you are, and He says you can have your conscience washed cleaned. Believe Him!!

“The law gave us only an unclear picture of the good things coming in the future. The law is not a perfect picture of the real things. The law tells people to offer the same sacrifices every year. Those who come to worship God continue to offer those sacrifices. But the law can never make them perfect. 2 If the law could make people perfect, those sacrifices would have already stopped. They would already be clean from their sins, and they would not still feel guilty. 3 But that’s not what happens. Their sacrifices make them remember their sins every year, 4 because it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 So when Christ came into the world he said, ‘You don’t want sacrifices and offerings, but you have prepared a body for me. 6 You are not pleased with the sacrifices of animals killed and burned or with offerings to take away sins’. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, God. It is written about me in the book of the law.I have come to do what you want.’

8 Christ first said, ‘You don’t want sacrifices and offerings. You are not pleased with animals killed and burned or with sacrifices to take away sin.’ (These are all sacrifices that the law commands.) 9 Then he said, ‘Here I am, God. I have come to do what you want.’ So God ends that first system of sacrifices and starts his new way. 10 Jesus Christ did the things God wanted him to do. And because of that, we are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ’s body. Christ made that sacrifice one time—enough for all time.

11 Every day the priests stand and do their religious service. Again and again they offer the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But Christ offered only one sacrifice for sins, and that sacrifice is good for all time. Then he sat down at the right side of God. 13 And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power. 14 With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever. They are the ones who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First he says, 16 ‘This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.’

17 Then he says, ‘I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.‘ 1 8 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins.

19 And so, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place. We can do this without fear because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus. 20 We enter through a new way that Jesus opened for us. It is a living way that leads through the curtain—Christ’s body. 21 And we have a great priest who rules the house of God. 22 Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ. 23 We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised.” Hebrews 10:1-23 ERV

Don’t struggle with a guilty conscience any longer. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us. God the Father doesn’t have a goodness chart where He checks off our good deeds and weighs them against the wrongs we have done.

No, He has one qualification for the forgiveness of sin. He asks if we have accepted the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. If the answer is yes – we are cleansed from sin. Free to live without fear. And if we haven’t accepted that sacrifice yet you can. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”!

Take a deep breath. Come to God with a sincere heart and be free from a guilty conscience.

That’s how good God is!

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Forgiveness Brings Freedom

This morning, I have been enjoying the sounds of a gentle rain. Oh my, rain on the desert stirs the senses. The cool air, the gentle pitter-patter on the roof and the scent of freshness.

It brings a cleansing and refreshes the soil.

I thanked the Father for touching this dry land and then I thanked Him for touching my life when it was dry and brittle. I thanked Him for his forgiveness and the freedom that forgiveness brings to a parched soul.

Guilt and shame can wither the heart like the scorching sun on the desert floor but the refreshing breeze of the Holy Spirit bringing forgiveness gives life.

If you’ve ever felt remorse, shame, and guilt over something from your past then you will know some of what the woman who met Jesus at a well was experiencing.

The disciples had gone to town to buy food and Jesus stayed at a well to wait. A woman came to the well to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink. This was unheard of – he was a Jew, and she was a Samaritan, a half breed. This was not racially or socially acceptable, but Jesus did it anyway.

“Jesus asked her, ‘Would you please give me a drink of water?’

9 ‘You are a Jew,’ she replied, ‘and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink of water when Jews and Samaritans won’t have anything to do with each other?'” John 4:8-9 CEV

As they talked Jesus told her that she could have living water. He was talking about Himself. She asked him to give her this water and when she did Jesus gave her more than she asked for.

He told her to bring her husband – you see it wasn’t proper for a married woman to receive gifts from a man without her husband’s permission.

Now comes the rub. This woman was going to have to reveal what she had wanted to keep hidden. She wasn’t married; she was living with a man, and she had had 5 husbands. Ouch!

“Jesus told her, ‘Go and bring your husband.’ 17-18 The woman answered, ‘I don’t have a husband.’

‘That’s right,’ Jesus replied, ‘you’re telling the truth. You don’t have a husband. You have already been married five times, and the man you are now living with isn’t your husband.’” John 4:16-18 CEV

Jesus didn’t condemn, he didn’t ridicule. He simply met the woman where she was and let her know that she was loved, forgiven and accepted. This loving outreach to a woman with something to hide made an eternal impact on her town.

“Many more Samaritans put their faith in Jesus because of what they heard him say. 42 They told the woman, ‘We no longer have faith in Jesus just because of what you told us. We have heard him ourselves, and we are certain that he is the Savior of the world!’” John 4:41-42 CEV

I don’t know if you’re trying to hide something from the Lord, but I can assure you He already knows about it. Hiding gives Satan an opportunity to condemn us but bringing it to Jesus releases us from the condemnation, provides us with forgiveness and freedom.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 ERV

Let God’s forgiveness wash you clean and shower you with freedom.

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No Coincidence

Through my years, I have learned that there are no coincidences with God.

This morning while I was praying I thanked God, the Father, for providing us with a “free” will. Then I said thank you to Jesus for paying the price for our salvation making it a “free” gift. Lastly, I thanked the Holy Spirit for guiding us each day and reminding us of the freedom that we have in Christ.

Free indeed!

Then I began reading in Psalms and there David was thanking God for freeing him of his past sins. From there my reading took me to the book of Daniel and I read the story of Daniel being sentenced to the lions’ den for his faithfulness to God. When Daniel was freed, he gave credit to God for his salvation.

My Bible reading ended this morning in Galatians, chapter 5.

“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again…13 My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love. 14 The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” 15 If you continue hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. 16 So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants… 22 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:1, 13-16, 22-25 ERV

Free will, free salvation, free direction!

Just exactly what I had been praying about before I started reading.

Our freedom in Christ is no coincidence. It was planned in heaven before the world began. While we were in rebellion to God, He made a way for us to be reconciled (made right) with Him.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. “ Romans 8:1-2

God’s plan is our freedom; free from sin, free from fear, from guilt, from anger, from selfishness, from hate. Our freedom is no coincidence – it’s the intentional plan of our loving Father.

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Free Indeed

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

” So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

On this day of independence, it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin and/or the devil because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free! Hallelujah!

Our nation was founded by men and women who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted in God’s leading and direction in the founding of this nation.

We are blessed with a great heritage of those who have fought for our freedom and with founding fathers who established our nation using the Bible as the base and foundation of our governing laws.

Many things have changed since the founding of our nation but one thing that has not changed is God is still and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Keep your hearts free from fear. When God reigns He brings peace and with Him is ultimate victory.

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Something to Sing About

I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. One of the things it is famous for is the territorial prison. I’ve been there many times and seeing those small cells and the iron ring in the wall that prisoners were chained to always makes an impact. It helps me visualize different stories in the Bible.

Paul and SIlas had been arrested for casting a devil out of a woman. They were beaten and thrown into the inner prison. They were chained in a dirty prison cell, and they were in the dark. They knew they were being treated unfairly. They had plenty of reason to complain and bemoan their situation.

What did they do? They sang!

And not quietly, they sang loud enough for the other prisoners to hear them. Seriously. Singing at midnight in a dirty jail cell – what was there to sing about?

“Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say, ‘For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.’

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 ERV

Paul wrote these words. He and Silas were in that prison cell. He knew that he had complete victory through Christ and that nothing could separate him from God’s love. That’s what put a song in his heart.

As they were singing, God brought the victory in the form of an earthquake.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off. 27 The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!’

29 The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down in front of Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They said to him, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” Acts 16:25-31 ERV

Paul and Silas were free but they didn’t run to escape. They stayed to share the Good News of God’s love with their jailer!

Let me ask you, have you been badly mistreated and abused? Locked away and forgotten? Are you in a prison of your own making?

You’re not alone!

God is right there with you – nothing will separate you from His love. Let that really sink into your heart – it will cause you to sing at midnight and in singing praises to the Lord, your heart will come to a place of peace and the prison doors will open.

Rest well! God is bigger than your prison and stronger than your chains.

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On The Move

It’s been a busy last couple of days. Sunday, we spent packing up, making sure everything fit in the suitcases and the new bag I bought. Monday we were to head out about noon. Our driver picked us up a little late but no problem.

We were headed for the ferry port and had allowed extra time for little incidentals to make sure we were there in plenty of time. Just about the time the car showed up, I received a text saying “due to rough seas” the ferry would be about 30 minutes late. By the time we got to the port that delay had been extended to almost an hour. We watched the ferry tracker for the next several hours and finally, finally, over three and a half hours later the ferry arrived.

Elation and exhaustion.

We arrived in Heraklion Crete at 8 pm, we had started at noon. Somehow the theme song from Gillian’s Island kept running through my head – a three hour tour. LOL

The receptionist at the hotel was very kind and our check in was easy. She directed us to our room and then told us the closest place to go to get a good meal. Throughout the whole day we kept reminding ourselves that the “steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord”.

It’s amazing that we are on this adventure – the Lord has provided for each and every need. We have been able to share the love of Jesus in small ways everywhere we have gone.

“So trust in the Lord and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. 4 Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for. 5 Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:3-5 ERV

We fell into bed Monday night, thanking the Father for comfortable accommodations, even though there was no sea view or beautiful sunset and enjoyed sweet sleep.

Tuesday there were three things on my “to do” list. Find a laundry, find a toy store to get some gifts for the grandkids and the main event was visiting the church of Titus.

“Titus, because of our faith, you are like a son to me. I pray that God our Father and Christ Jesus our Savior will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! 5 I left you in Crete to do what had been left undone and to appoint leaders for the churches in each town.” Titus 1:4-5 CEV

Titus when to Crete with Paul on his second missionary journey in approximately 60 A.D. He stayed there preaching and making disciples for many years. The legacy of Titus is a part of this island’s history.

Visiting this place, no it wasn’t actually built by Titus, but I could imagine Paul and Titus preaching to the people in the open air of the plaza. There proclaiming to them the good news of Jesus Christ. My heart was filled with reverence as I sat and prayed.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

It was a perfect day…because the presence of the Lord was here!

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You Are Loved

I’ve been doing quite a bit of praying this morning for different friends and loved ones. These are people who the Lord put on my heart; people who have been hurt deeply by others, those would have been wounded and rejected, those who have felt the stabbing pain of ridicule and mocking.

As I prayed, I asked the Lord to heal their hurt and to reveal to them their value, their worth to Him, as their Father, and show them how to walk free of the pain, never to be held in bondage again to the hurts of the past.

Just a couple of days ago I was talking with a friend about the oppressing weight of unworthiness. Those feelings of not measuring up or being good enough can be crushing. I know. But I also know the peace that comes when we realize that we are accepted in Christ.

“He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well. We hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was hated, and we did not think well of Him.

4 For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone the wrong way. Each of us has turned to his own way. And the Lord has put on Him the sin of us all.” Isaiah 53:3-6 NLV

This is what Jesus did for us! He took our sin, our sorrow, our rejection, our pain and carried it to the cross to be crucified there.

When He rose from the tomb, He left all of the above in the grave and He brought us a new life. His death and resurrection created a new way for us to live.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. 19 He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 NLV

Christ knew rejection and heart ache. He knew sorrow. His mission was and is to bring us healing and freedom.

“…the Father loves you. He loves you because you love Me and believe that I came from the Father.” John 16:27 NLV

“ So we can say for sure, ‘The Lord is my Helper. I am not afraid of anything man can do to me.’” Hebrews 13:6 NLV

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free for sure.” John 8:36 NLV

If you are one who has been hurt and rejected, I pray you will let Christ heal your broken heart and set you free. You are Loved!

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Break Free

It’s the first Saturday in January. The first Saturday of a New Year. It’s a new beginning, a new life filled with new experiences and we can wipe last year’s slate clean.

God doesn’t want us held back by past mistakes, failures or even past sins. Through His love and forgiveness, we have been promised a freedom that no one else can provide. Remember a few days ago when I told you I am growing in God’s grace? Well, this is what I mean.

We are free to walk away from any hurt, any condemning voices, the memory of any blatant sin because of God’s grace and mercy.

“The Holy Spirit tells us this: First He says, 16 “This is the New Way of Worship that I will give them. When that day comes, says the Lord, I will put My Laws in their hearts. And I will write them in their minds.” Then He says, 17 “I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore.” Hebrews 10:15-17 NLV

That day has come – the day of restoration and reconciliation with the Father. When we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, giving His life for ours, we are cleansed completely.

Free from the past; free from sin, free from failure, free to love, free to serve. Free!

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT

And the Son has made us free to be called sons of God, to enter into a relationship with the Father.

“If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished. 2 The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. 3 The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ’s body to condemn sin.” Romans 8:1-3 CEV

The Father’s forgiveness is instantaneous – the moment we ask, it’s given and forgotten. The struggle comes when we let our own memories continue to condemn us. It’s important to realized that the Father’s unconditional love covers all sin.

“And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:18-22 NLT

There’s an old hymn we used to sing, “Calvary Covers It All”. The chorus goes like this:

Calvary covers it all,
My past with its sin and stain;
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there,
And Calvary covers it all.

Enter the New Year without looking back. God isn’t holding us in bondage to our past; He sent Jesus to set us free and now we are free indeed!

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Not Condemned!

These words jumped off the page when I read them this morning.

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!” John 3:17 CEV

God’s word brings us a message of hope, of joy and reconciliation. Christ didn’t come to condemn us. He came to save us!

Religion makes the rules and tells us that we are useless and deserving of judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ message lifts us from the dirt, stands us on our feet and sends us forward with encouragement and conviction to “go on your way and sin no more”.

“When they heard this, they began to leave one by one. The older men left first, and then the others. Jesus was left alone with the woman standing there in front of him. 10 He looked up again and said to her, “Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?”

11 She answered, “No one, sir.”

Then Jesus said, “I don’t judge you either. You can go now, but don’t sin again.” John 8:9-11 ERV

Society is all too quick to condemn someone because of their past. Jesus offers forgiveness.

He was condemned on our behalf.

“Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, ‘I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty.’ 5 Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, ‘Here is the man!’ 6 When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, ‘Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!’ Pilate told them, ‘You take him and nail him to a cross! I don’t find him guilty of anything.’” John 19:4-6 CEV

Jesus knew what it was like to be unjustly condemned. He did this so we could experience the amazing grace of God. He took what He didn’t deserve so we could receive the mercy and grace that we were unworthy of.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 ERV

For many years I judged myself unworthy. I condemned myself for not being a good Christian. I didn’t measure up but then again none of us do. I kept trying to be good enough for God to truly love me.

I don’t know if you can imagine the peace, the joy, the confidence, the gratitude, the freedom that I experienced when I saw the truth from God’s word that He wasn’t condemning me.

“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:21 ERV

If you have struggled with condemnation let the word of God break those chains today. Receive your forgiveness, receive freedom, receive right standing with the Father and cast off the chains of condemnation!

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Time for A Jail Break

Last night before I went to bed I was strongly impressed with these words, “It’s Time for a Jail Break”!

So many are imprisoned by an enemy that wants to destroy their very lives. This enemy takes on many forms – self-loathing, alcohol, drugs, depression, hatred, narcissism, anxiety, prejudice, jealousy. I’m sure there are more but these are the first to come to mind.

The Apostle Peter was imprisoned because of hatred and jealousy. I’m here to tell you that a jail break has been planned on their behalf. Jesus Christ is the one who can set captives free. I need you to read his story – it’s a longer read but an important one.

“During this same time, King Herod began to do harm to some of those who were part of the church…5 So Peter was kept in jail, but the church was constantly praying to God for him.

6 One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, “Hurry, get up!” The chains fell off Peter’s hands. 8 The angel said, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” Peter did as he was told. Then the angel said, “Put on your coat and follow me.”

9 So the angel went out and Peter followed. He did not know if the angel was really doing this. He thought he might be seeing a vision. 10 Peter and the angel went past the first guard and the second guard. Then they came to the iron gate that separated them from the city. The gate opened for them by itself. After they went through the gate and walked about a block, the angel suddenly left… Many people were gathered there and were praying. 13 Peter knocked on the outside door. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. 14 She recognized Peter’s voice, and she was very happy. She even forgot to open the door. She ran inside and told the group, “Peter is at the door!” 15 The believers said to her, “You are crazy!” But she continued to say that it was true. So they said, “It must be Peter’s angel.”

16 But Peter continued to knock. When the believers opened the door, they saw him. They were amazed.” Acts 12:1-16 ERV

God intervened supernaturally in Peter’s jail break. People were praying faithfully for his deliverance. The soldiers and the chains were no match for the power of God.

“‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor.
He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free…'” Luke 4:18 ERV

If you find yourself imprisoned, I have good news – Jesus has come to set you free. If you are praying for someone who has been chained, don’t quit praying and don’t be surprised when they walk free.

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free” John 8:36 ERV

God still has the power to break chains and set the captives free!

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