FREEDOM

The Chain Has Been Broken
The Israelites had been bound in slavery in Egypt for over four hundred years. All they had seen was injustice, being taken advantage of, mistreated, barely making it. God supernaturally brought them out of Egypt, and they were headed to the Promised Land when He said to them, “The enemies you see today, you will see no more.” That’s what happens when the chain breaker shows up. True freedom.  He was saying to them and to us, “Those things that have held you back for years, you’re not going to see them anymore.” This is a new day of freedom, a new day of wholeness, a new day of increase. Chains are falling off; chains of debt are being broken. Chains of cancer, diabetes, and heart trouble are being loosed. You will no longer see those chains of fear, insecurity, and low self-esteem. The addiction is not going to control you. Why? The chain has been broken.

A Prayer for Today
Father, thank You that You have broken the chain of anything that’s trying to hold me back. Thank You that You have so defeated the problem that I’m not even going to see it anymore. I’m going to start living like I am free and experience everything You have for me. In Jesus.

Ken’s Thoughts,
So many things in this world tend to keep us in bondage’s.  Many are even the Religious  Traditions of men used in our churches to keep order when the Holy Spirit may wish to do otherwise.  Some come from unequally yoked marriage unions where one has a strong anointing from God and the other is happy to just be comfortable.  There are non-productive traditions everywhere that I look.  The enemy of our soul tends to keep us in some kinds of emotional or traditional jail (box) if possible.   However with Paul in prison we are now blessed with his teachings in the Holy Spirit.  So Paul was free even while in prison as our LORD’S kingdom is not of this world.  God set Peter free, why not Paul?   The greater ministry came to Paul due to being in prison.   We have very little of what Peter taught.

(The following is from Worthy Briefs today:)
Paul wrote for prayes while even in chains as follows:  Ephesians 6:19-20 and pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  (from Worthy Brief)       For over 20 years we’ve been covering Christian Persecution, and whenever I come across an amazing story of how a saint endured such hardships, it encourages me. I remember reading about Watchman Nee and his imprisonment. The Chinese government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that Nee would lead them to the Lord. Their fears were justified — many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently Watchman Nee had learned a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul.  In Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus, observe how he describes himself — an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul adamantly refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his identity. He may be in chains, but he remains the Lord’s ambassador.  Can you imagine Paul chained up in that dungeon, throwing up his hands saying, “That’s it; it’s over; I’m finished!?  Not on your life! Instead, the apostle grows bolder as an ambassador; not intimidated or ashamed, because Paul isn’t chained in his Spirit, he’s only bound in the flesh. Remember how he concludes his letter to the Philippian Church declaring, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Don’t allow yourself to be defined by your past, or “chained” by your current circumstances. God has also called you to be an ambassador for Him. With so much work to be done, we ought to be growing even bolder, right in the midst of our trials and tribulations!  (This is right on target so I am passing it along to you.  It is from,  worthybrief@worthynetwork.com    (Please forward to your mailing list, Very important.)

Psalm 73,  A psalm of Asaph.    Truly God is good to Israel,     to those whose hearts are pure.
But as for me, I almost lost my footing.     My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.  For I envied the proud     when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives;     their bodies are so healthy and strong.  They don’t have troubles like other people;     they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!  They scoff and speak only evil;     in their pride they seek to crush others.

They boast against the very heavens and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused drinking in all their words,  “What does God know?” they ask.   Does the Most High even know what’s happening? Look at these wicked people—    enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.  Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?    Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.  If I had really spoken this way to others,  I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.    But what a difficult task it is!

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.  In an instant they are destroyed,  completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord,   you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—   I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you;   you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel.    leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you?  I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,   but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever   Those who desert him will perish,    for you destroy those who abandon you.  But as for me, how good it is to be near God!    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,  and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.  New Living Translation (NLT)  Also read Eph.4:11-16, John 17 for a good foundation.