SHACKLED

The devil has a stronghold on us all because this is his world and he doesn’t bother to break down anyone who lives in his ways and already conquered.  He instead piles the garbage on those who live in line with God or those who are still on the fence. he knows our spirits are easily broken where family, personal lives, friends, and finances are concerned.  Believe it or not, the devil has strength here, this is his territory, his stomping grounds, if you will.  Unfortunately, we were all born of the flesh and live in his world.  However, his power is no match for the one who trumps them all.  But alas, God has given us our own will, and due to His unselfish nature, He doesn’ t impose on it and neither will he force us to love Him.  

We sometimes feel like there is no relief in some of the trials we go through as humans.  We are shackled with no choice but to live in such an imperfect world and subjected to its disdain, frustration, depression and grief.  Have you ever stopped to think if there is ever one time in your life when you were truly happy?  

Isaiah 10:27, “In that day the Lord will end the bondage of His people.  He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.”   Isaiah talks about Jesus here.  It was the promise of God to us that this deliverer of sins will one day rid us of all of the guilt, shame, defeat, disdain, frustration, etc. that we have been feeling.  Before Jesus, people would offer up animal sacrifices to God and He was a harder God to forgive.  But because of His great love for us, He offered up His only Son as a sacrifice and an atonement for us.  If you break that word down... At-one-ment, it is exactly what God wants to have with us, and at one ment, a best friend.  How could we ever be so deserving of this, when we are such sinners?  Just reverse the situation.  Would you be that forgiving as to offer your own flesh and blood to someone you would like to forgive?  I’m pretty sure the answer is a resounding NO!  That is what makes God so awesome!  It is because HE COULD! AND DID!  For undeserving people like us!  All He ever wants back is for us to love Him!  How unselfish of Him.  Then He goes further as to free us from what holds us back and says, “Your sins are forgotten as far as the east is from the west!”  We all know that the east and the west will never touch each other.  That’s how much he cares about our sins when we ask Him to forgive us.  Unlike the devil who holds on to every negative event in our life and throws it in our face more often that we desire.

Why don’t we finally be free from the shackles that bind us and moves us so far from God’s love by confessing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that He died on the cross to forgive our sins and then walk in His path?  It’s easier than you think, but for it to be a success you have to move away from the temptations of this world.  I wish you would if you haven’t already.

Until my next rant.... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!