GOD WILL SET YOU FREE

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind.

Jesus spoke these words at a Sabbath Service. They are still true today; He still announces liberty to the captive. He sets us free so we can enjoy life---so we can serve and obey Him.

We all want to obey God, and we know that if we will move when He says "go", we'll see amazing things happen. However, sometimes it seems impossible to move. You feel as if you're somehow bound up in chains.

Why are so many believers bound? Because they don't understand the principle of putting on the full armor of God. We don't do it by song or by confession---but by the Word of God. The Word , when received and believed, affects the mind.

1.  We need to be girded with Truth; not just hear it and memorize it, but wrap it tightly around us and make sure it stays in place.

2. We need to put on the Breastplate of righteousness---God's righteousness, not our own--which works through His Blood and by confessing and being cleansed of our sins constantly.

3. We need to 'walk'--live our lives and do our work--- having prepared ourselves with the Gospel of Peace. That means knowing what God's Word says about making peace with God through the Blood of Jesus.

4. And never, never forget that Shield of Faith. Not a day goes by that Satan's fiery darts don't come at you, telling you all kinds of discouraging, fear provoking things. He will use seeming truths and facts to cause you to fear and doubt. Hold up that shield---the TRUE FACTS--what God's Word says about your situation! It doesn't just repel the darts----it quenches the fire.

5. We need to make sure the Helmet of Salvation (Deliverance) is always covering our head. Our minds need that protection.

6. And then, of course, we need to take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This time it's not for defense---it's for offense. We don't need to stand there and "take it", we need to pursue the enemy and slash him with the Word.

The reason you can pick up the Sword and take the offensive, is because you have already put on the defensive armor; not SOME of it, but ALL of it. Once you've put on the armor, you keep it together with prayer.

But, if you do all this, and then hang around with ungodly people who pull you away from your faith and your calling, you might as well have just stayed bound. Soon you'll be casting off your armor and picking up your own chains.

You need Godly people in your life. That's where your staying power will come from. You won't make it alone because you're not designed to. We're part of a Body, and meant to be joined together. The people GOD joins to you will help you reach your destiny. They will pull you up when you're down and rejoice with you over your victories. They will mourn with you when you mourn, but will be there to make sure you don't fall into a spiral of depression. You may know some people who are supposed to be Godly, but they might as well be agents of the enemy because they pull you down with them. Those are not the kind of people to be around; they WILL drag you down with them. Pray for them and be ready to get them help; but STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

Warfare is meant to get you out of your calling and your purpose. Don't let it overcome you. Fight the good faith and move on with Jesus.

    GOD HAS GOOD

 PLANS

 FOR YOUR

FUTURE

know what I'm doing.

 I have it all planned out--

plans to take care of you,

 not abandon you,

plans to give you

the future you hope for.

   "When you call on me,

when you come

and pray to me,

 I'll listen.

Jeremiah 29:11

(Message Bible)