"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose."
~ Acts 16:25-26
Here's a personal question, (but it's okay to keep the answer between you and God...) What chains bind you?
Where would you like greater freedom in your life?
I recently heard a wellness coach talking about one of his clients. The client was really digging in her heels and saying, but I want the freedom to have the cupcake or pizza or doughnut!
His response was so spot on. He asked, but do you really have freedom? When someone brings doughnuts into work, do you have the freedom to not have one? When there's birthday cake or your favorite indulgence is offered to you, do you have freedom to choose what's best for you and not indulge if your body would appreciate that choice, or if you've made that commitment to yourself?
How about with phones, social media, gaming, screens of all kinds?
Do you have freedom there?
What about when it comes to financial freedom? Do you have full freedom to make a powerful choice in your spending that will serve all of your tomorrows and not just the instant gratification our culture says you should satisfy?
Whatever comes to mind when you think of the areas of life where you want greater freedom, where you would like to see chains broken...
I have good news for you. We know someone who is in that business.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is self control.
You won't get it perfect all of the time, neither will I. We're filled with the Spirit, but, alas, we're still human.
However, He is there for you.
He is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to stand true.
So, walk in the Spirit when it comes to the chains that bind, when it comes to finding freedom there. Be rooted in His Word. Thirst for and pursue righteousness...
He is there for you.
Greater freedom comes in the small choices made day by day in the areas that matter to you, with His help.
In the moment, be willing to ask the question, am I honoring my Creator, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit with the choice I'm making?
It's amazing what that one little practice can do.
You are a beloved child of God, and He wants to see you soaring and free indeed.
(P.S. I am not a clinician, so I'm not addressing chemical addiction. If you need help, I implore you to get it. No matter where we find ourselves, we can make powerful choices. And, your story can make a difference for others. Much like the music video below.)
Test --> Testimony
Heavenly Father,
We confess, we walk in imperfection.
Thank You for helping us to shed that which does not serve Your purposes, what does not contribute to the fulfillment of the purposes You created us to live out.
Thank You for helping us to be pliant vessels, shaped and refined, day by day; that with Your help, we might grow in freedom in every area of life.
In the name of Your Son, we pray.
Amen.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." ~ James 4:10
"'Everything is permissible for me,' but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me,' but I will not be mastered by anything." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." ~ Galatians 5:22
"Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." ~ Mark 16:5-6
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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