Vital signs- Tuesday, August 25th, 2020

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16:25-34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In 2020, there are many shackles that hold us. On “Set Me Free”, I thought of mental, emotional and spiritual shackles that I unknowingly wore. These shackles weighed me down to the point of exhaustion. Many times I felt tormented, restless, and tempted to hopelessness. Have you ever felt this way?

Shackles are not new. God has been breaking shackles for thousands of years, both literal and the shackles of sin. Paul and Silas experienced the breaking of their shackles while in prison. And God breaks the things that bind us daily.

Through Jesus, we can experience true freedom. We don’t have to be slaves to our desires anymore.

“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8:34-36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Prayer: Lord free me from my shackles and help me to fully experience the freedom You offer.