August 13: FREEDOM

See it:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” Isaiah 61:1

Obey it:

We can learn three lessons from today’s text.

1.      Each of us struggles with overcoming something. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, gossip, constant bad moods, workaholism, inappropriate sex, irritability, materialism, legalism. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does tell us about the reality of being human. We’re bad when we’re born, and we get worse. The first step to being free is to recognize what enslaves us. Offer a prayer right now and confess your weakness before God. As you go through your day, extend grace to those who are struggling. Remember the grace God has given you.

2.      All can be set free. Whatever your question, God has an answer. Whatever your need, God has the solution. Whatever your wound, God has the cure. Freedom is not only for the few and the privileged, but for everyone—for you. Do you believe that? This helps us not to discount anyone, no matter how deep their addiction or dysfunction. All can be set free. All.

3.      Freedom is a process. The Bible tells us that it may take some time from the moment you are declared free (justification) to the actual experience of it (sanctification). It’s like walking on dry land after being in a boat. For a while you still feel like you’re at sea, though you’re really on land. It’s a very real sensation, though temporary. The fact that you may still feel the effect of the chains around your ankles doesn’t mean that they are not gone. You’re now free. Believe it. This helps us to be patient with others. We don’t compare ourselves with our fellow travelers, or criticize them because they sin differently than we do. We are on a journey; let’s encourage each other along the way.

Share it:

You probably know people who are battling an addiction. Connect with them today and let them know that you are available to talk or pray with or for them.

My prayer today: for people that struggle with addictions
1. Pray that God will break the chains of addiction.
2. Pray that those afflicted will believe they can be free.

Season of Service