"We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." Acts 5:23, NIV. This verse reminds me of the prison doors Satan has locked securely against each one of us. The doors may be a painful betrayal, physical problems, financial distress or the seeming hopelessness of an unsaved loved one. For many years, I lived in the cell of a deep self-loathing. The jail was securely locked; the key had been thrown away decades earlier.
But like the apostles, one day I miraculously found myself on the outside of the cell looking in. I was unsure of exactly how I had escaped, but I was certain of Who was responsible. And just like the apostles, I got my marching orders: "Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life" (Acts 5:20). The angel's instructions are what I've chosen to memorize for February 1's Scripture challenge.
I don't know what prison doors have been securely locked against you. But I know we serve a God who longs to miraculously set us free. He is not bound by space or time or the will of another. What prison do you long to be free of today? Take it to Him. He is waiting on the outside, completely unaffected by how secure the lock may look to you.
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
The last Word:
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.
Psalm 199: 28, NIV.
11 comments:
Amen, only God can set us free. I love you my friend.
God is the Deliverer from whatever binds us.
Blessings,
Linda
HEART OF A READY WRITER – Reading Through the Bible in 2009
My prison?
A restless heart that cries out for God's will over my life to be done according to my plans and my timetable.
I have some contentment issues my friend. It can be all too confining at times.
Thanks for the probe. Have a great week.
peace~elaine
My problem right now is that when I started my blog, it was in response to God calling me out of the 'pigsty' or prison...but I wish I could say I was walking in freedom...the memories of that prison haunt me at times and foreboding overwhelms me...then I get a glimpse of Him again and I can go on...
your words...like Lidj's today..comfort me..give me hope..
Thanku..Sita
I love your opening verse. I felt such liberation after reading! Thank you for this message, Gail. I needed to hear this tonight. Feeling "trapped" in some things.
Letting go...
He longs to miraculously set us free. So why don't we step out in freedom - I just can't understand us humans!
Praise god for thst testimony.
I too was a prisoner of fear, hopelessness andself pity a few years ago andthe Lord un-locked the doors miraculously.
Hi, Gail, Thanks for visiting my blog. I appreciate your encouragement. I am also an R.N. and worked 20 years in the medical field. During that time, I tended newborn babies and held the hands of seniors. The last almsot five years I have been "retired" in order to finish my homeschooling call.
May His blessings overflow today!
I love the way God works in my life. He did set me free, Sunday, from the prison of anxiety about my church and feeling down because I have not been keeping my thoughts in line with God's Word. It was through a sermon on the radio about enjoying gifts, especially the gift of salvation. That caused me to pray and God gave me peace.
When I read posts like yours, I know that God is keeping me in his grace so I don't forget this time what he has done for me, and go back to feelings of unease. Your post is an excellent one!
Prisons. I have written about that myself long time back---after seeing some first hand. Real bars of steel---seperating me from someone dear...foolish mistakes. ANd then there are the prison walls that hold us in.
YOUR post is so thought provoking. I wish you could have been with me this morning...I was lazy about getting up---then tried to pray. Mmmm.
We'll have to talk more about this later.
I have read some of your posts; and see your artwork. I liked the same and would like to revisit your website.
If you like short stories and paintings, then a visit to my blogs would be an interesting one for you. I have posted articles reviewing some of my friends' artwork, too.
Naval Langa
SHORT STORIES by NAVAL LANGA
PAINTINGS GALLERIES
Another Interesting Blog
BIG CITIES OF INDIA
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