October 22: FREEDOM

Believe 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

Live it:

We can learn three lessons from today’s text.
1. Each of us struggles with overcoming something. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, gossip, moodiness, workaholism, inappropriate sex, irritability, materialism, legalism. By no means is this an exhaustive list, but it does highlight the reality of being human in a fallen world. We’re bad when we’re born, and we get worse. The first step to being free is to recognize what enslaves you. Offer a prayer right now and confess your weakness before God.
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?
3. Gaining 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 feel as though you’re still at sea, though you’re really on land. It’s a very real sensation, though temporary. The fact that you may still feel the effects of the chains around your ankles doesn’t mean that they are not gone. You’re now free. Believe it. Live it.

Share it:

You probably know people who are battling an addiction. If you can, share with someone today your testimony of how God has set you free and offer to pray with them and for them.

My prayer today: for people who struggle with addictions

-Pray that God will break the chains of addiction.

-Pray that those affected will believe they can be set free.

from God’s City, My City