It's Time

 

Prisoners function, but they're not free. We often learn to function in dysfunction - emotional, mental, physical, spiritual - becoming so accustomed to bondage that we settle with the condition. 

We learn to live with it. 


It becomes comfortable.   


It becomes familiar.


It becomes normal.    

Functioning through life but never free!

You are meant for so much more. Going through the motions of life isn't living.  It's time to quit settling!  It's time to stop seeing yourself through the lens of your past.  It's time to stop defaulting back to the familiar because it's what your mind has been conditioned to. It's time to aspire beyond limits others have led you to believe that you have. It's time to make a decision.


Quit hiding the chains. Quit bringing color to them through excuses as to why it's okay to remain bound. A finely decorated prison cell is still a prison cell. 

 It's time to kick off the shackles and reposition.  Your environment, your choice of entertainment, or the people you surround yourself with may have to change in order for you to blossom into all you were created you to be. You may want what's best for others, but not everyone wants what is best for you. Our choices deeply matter.  Life is too short to remain indecisive. Don't let not making a decision become your decision. Lost time can't be purchased back.
 
 Jesus came to set us free!  It's time...


^"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]." Luke 4:18

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g 

Freedom in Our Praise

 

Most of the Psalms were written during wilderness times; the Epistles,  in prison.  We can take comfort in knowing that when we are in the fire, God is about to use us in a mighty way. 

"About Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God..." In their darkest hour, they didn't forget God nor grow angry with Him.   They knew from Whom their help came from and they knew their freedom was in their praise. 

The rest of that Scripture states, "And the other prisoners were listening to them." Others are watching us as we endure life's storms.

"Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the foundations of the jail.  All the doors  immediately flew open, and everyone's chains came off. "

May we be like Paul and Silas, confident that God will never  forsake us even in the toughest of times.  Our continual worship of Him will invoke His presence into our lives. Not only will it bring our freedom, but an open door to share the Gospel message to those who have watched our calm endurance. 

(Acts 16:25-26, Philippians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15)

Fear

 

We are all well acquainted with the emotion that bears a choke hold.  It's ruthless.  It's torment.  It's an enemy to faith, a thief that robs you of life - imprisons you to a false reality. 

Anxiety, depression, doubt, worry, hurt, anger, sadness, low self-esteem, unworthiness, hatred, prejudice.  It comes disguised underneath many different emotions, but it all comes down to one thing:

 

FEAR.

 

The paralysis for some is the dread of what could happen years down the road, anxiety associated with an unpredictable economy, and for many it is the torment of what today, the next hour, the next minute will bring. 

"...fear has torment." 1 John 4:18a

Fear is not only an emotion, but a spiritual force. It is very similar to faith in that both have an unshakable belief in an unseen future. Fear trusts circumstances, natural predictions, the enemy's lies, and self.  Faith trusts God and what His Word says.  Fear is negative faith. 

 

Fear is an enemy of God.  It in essence rips Him of His lordship in our lives. We become self focused and not God focused.  We put our trust in the wisdom of man rather than in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5).  We no longer see Him for Who He is and who He desires to be in our lives...  He solely becomes a gateway to Heaven, but in our day to day living He is diminished to a dusty figure placed on a shelf.   

God is love, and the Bible says that Perfect Love casts out fear.  God is THAT perfect love. 

 

"There is no fear in love (dread does not exist), but perfect love turns fears out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment.  He who is afraid has not fully experienced His perfect love." 1 John 4:18

Father, we want to know Your love... Your love is our freedom.  Your love removes shackles. Your love delivers us from all fear.  You are not what our circumstances look like. You are not what the latest trends define You as.  We commit to growing in the knowledge of who You truly are as defined in Your Word, and through that knowledge - growing in intimacy with You... We know that in experiencing that intimate love - fear has no more room in our lives. Thank You for Your love and the hope and peace it brings.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEyRoj2sFc4

 

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

 

Memorial Day

Father, we thank You for Jesus - the One who willingly laid His life down for our eternal freedom.

 We also thank You for the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country. Like Jesus, they have committed themselves and their time for the sake of freedom. They have unselfishly laid down their lives for us and even a future generation yet unborn.

We thank You for the Holy Spirit who is our Comforter. Comfort the families who have lost their loved ones while battling for our country's freedom. We are so thankful for the price they've paid. Comfort the families whose loved ones are away. Give them strength and courage to face each day.

We lift up those who are on the battle lines now and those who could be called at any time. We pray for their protection and safe return. We pray that their purpose in fighting for our peace not be in vain.

 We pray for the servicemen and women who do not know You. Send laborers into their path. May the blinders be removed and their eyes be opened to the Gospel message. We pray Jesus would become their hope and comfort, and that they would then unashamedly share their experience with Him to others. We pray for a domino effect to happen - that the saving message of Jesus would spread like wild fire!

 

We pray that the United States would come back to You. We pray that revival would be sparked in the hearts of all - that a great awakening would strike the land and Jesus would be glorified in America. Bless our country, Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBoMJmwNfbo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arSiv9PRo04

Post a message to our veterans:

http://www.proudtobeavet.com/Pages/thank-you.aspx

It's Time

 

Prisoners function, but they are not free. We too often learn to function in dysfunction - physical or emotional - becoming so accustomed to bondage that we settle with the condition. 

We learn to live with it.

 

It becomes comfortable.  

 

It becomes normal.  

 

Functioning through life but never free!

You are meant for so much more than going through the motions of life.  It's time to quit settling!  It's time to stop seeing yourself through the lens of your past!  It's time to aspire beyond limits others have led you to believe that you have. 

Quit hiding the chains.  Quit bringing color to them through excuses as to why it's okay to remain bound.  A finely decorated prison cell is still a prison cell. 

It's time to kick off the shackles and reposition.  Your environment, your choice of entertainment, or the people you surround yourself with may have to change in order to blossom into all that God has created you to be.   

 

 Jesus came to set the captives free!  It's time...

^"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]." Luke 4:18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g

Freedom in Our Praise

Most of the Psalms were written during wilderness times; the Epistles,  in prison.  We can take comfort in knowing that when we are in the fire, God is about to use us in a mighty way. 

"About Midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God..." In their darkest hour, they didn't forget God nor grow angry with Him.   They knew from Whom their help came from and they knew their freedom was in their praise. 

The rest of that Scripture states, "And the other prisoners were listening to them." Others are watching us as we endure life's storms.

"Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook the foundations of the jail.  All the doors  immediately flew open, and everyone's chains came off. "

May we be like Paul and Silas, confident that God will never  forsake us even in the toughest of times.  Our continual worship of Him will invoke His presence into our lives. Not only will it bring our freedom, but an open door to share the Gospel message to those who have watched our calm endurance. 

(Acts 16:25-26, Philippians 4:4-7, 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15)

Hero

Boldness arises

Strength to speak truth

Words somehow choked

Left broken and confused

 

Blamed when standing up against

This chief of control

Explaining creates havoc

Shut up and let it go

 

Repressing our desires

Invalidating our need

Gasping for a breath

That’s far out of reach

 

Martyr emerges

“Takes one for the team”

Grants air he sees unnecessary

Enough to let us breathe

 

Self proclaimed hero

Master puppeteer

What is considered normal to most

Does not reside here

 

Forced into a reality

Devised for a dwelling of one

Irrational expectations

Simple things made cumbersome

 

Fear based way of living

Will I do it right?

Basic things that people do

Should I ask for it and chance a fight?

 

Silent rejection

Ambience turns dense

Did I walk too hard?  Laugh too loud?

Find joy in what to him makes no sense?

 

Little room for freedom

Occasional sips from his hand

Just enough to make one think

He’s starting to understand

 

Show excessive thanks when permitted

What he considers a futile wish

Shower this hero with accolades

As he allows some humanness

 

Lives sacrificed on an altar

In his inverted world

Basic normalcy given up

An act of respect with no reward

 

Surprise curve balls of liberty

Occasionally enter this field

Confusion and guilt muddle the mind

What is it I really feel?

 

Have the internal complaints on our part

Been rebellious and self-seeking?

Or has too much power been given

To one who does not care about our well being?

-ets

 

 



Living Proof

 

They told me hope’s all over

Even set a date my life will cease

But I know an almighty and faithful God

Who is the Healer of every disease

He’s Jesus Christ, God’s only Son

Who shed His blood for me

He took this sickness upon Himself

In His name all disease must flee!

He’s Jehovah Rapha, my Healer

It’s not His will to take me this way

Satan, you thief!  You won’t end my life

I take authority; you cannot stay!

I now know that years ago

Jesus took the keys of death from you

I realize this was your last attempt

But you no longer have me fooled

Many die because they don’t know this truth

But I know what the Word of God declares

Surely the Truth will make me free

I no longer fear your wicked snares

Jesus came to set the prisoners free

To set at liberty those who are bound

Devil, you’re a trespasser being evicted

For you’re treading on holy ground

In Jesus’ name I command you to flee

Every spirit of infirmity and disease

You must obey the Name above all names

You have no place in me

I’m living proof of the Lord’s power

I’ll proclaim it wherever I go

Jesus Christ has delivered me

I’m an overcomer, healed and whole!

 

 

Father, please touch every person who is need of healing of any kind.  I speak the name of Jesus into their life now - the Name that is high above every other name (Philippians 2:9).  The Name that washes us clean from sin.  The Name that drives out disease.  The Name that defeats depression.  The Name that has the power to restore relationships.  The all-powerful Name that can conquer anything and everything that falls short of God's perfect plan for our lives.  Thank You for the name of Jesus and so unselfishly sending Him to us as our Healer.   Open our eyes to see so that we may take hold of all that You have made available to us through the price that Jesus paid for us to have.  Amen.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE

 

It's Time

 

Prisoners function, but they are not free. We too often learn to function in dysfunction - physical or emotional - becoming so accustomed to bondage that we settle with the condition. 

We learn to live with it.

 

It becomes comfortable.  

 

It becomes normal.  

 

Functioning through life but never free!

You are meant for so much more than going through the motions of life.  It's time to quit settling!  It's time to stop seeing yourself through the lens of your past!  It's time to aspire beyond limits others have led you to believe that you have. 

Quit hiding the chains.  Quit bringing color to them through excuses as to why it's okay to remain bound.  A finely decorated prison cell is still a prison cell. 

It's time to kick off the shackles and reposition.  Your environment, your choice of entertainment, or the people you surround yourself with may have to change in order to blossom into all that God has created you to be.   

 

 Jesus came to set the captives free!  It's time...

^"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]." Luke 4:18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g

Transparency

 

 

 

Why is it that you hide from Me

As if I do not see?

Why do you remain silent

When your very thoughts I read?

You want to feel My presence

But you can’t see past the walls

that hardness of heart built over the years

When will they ever fall?

I need you to be transparent

Speak to Me what you feel

If you want to build a relationship

You’re going to have to be real

I’m not looking for fancy speeches

Don’t waste your time trying to impress

I just need you to begin to speak to Me

And allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest

Share with Me your struggles

No matter how shameful they may be

I already know the temptations you face

I’m the One to set you free

You fear the thought of surrender

Afraid I will strip everything from you

Do you really think I will do you harm?

I only want what is best for you

There’s freedom in your surrender

Time to give up the fight

Your heart will never find the rest it needs

Until you and I are right

Be open to Me – and be transparent

No more excuses to not even try

I can see you snuggled behind your “comfortable” walls

So why even try and hide?