Morning by Morning, September 17 -- "Captives" and "Prisoners" Set Free!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. How I need You -- here in my heart, in my thoughts, and in every moment of my day. ...
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me; He has sent Me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion -- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display His glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:1-4).
Lord Jesus, You fulfilled this prophetic Word of Your first coming as the Messiah of Israel and Savior of all -- the One who proclaims the coming of the kingdom of God and demonstrates it in the power of the Father's love and the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18-21).
You're the One who ministers healing and freedom, hope and life, and the fullness of the salvation of God in authority of Your name. All must yield to Your authority and Your name (Philippians 2:9-11). "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Your heart for healing and freedom from all that would hold us back from being all we're created to be has never changed and never will (Hebrews 13:8).
As Your Word and Your Spirit go forth in the earth and into our hearts, You are still proclaiming "liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1). Sometimes we are "captives" -- taken captive by no fault of our own and held in the bondage of slavery and captivity by the enemy of our souls who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). He takes captive our thoughts, our hearts, our bodies, our relationships, our finances, our gifting, our calling, our identity, and our destiny. "(Our) adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). And for those who are held captive from seeing You as You are and embracing Your mercy and grace through the sacrifice of Your love at the cross, "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Sometimes we are "prisoners" -- taken prisoner as those who have transgressed the law, been found guilty, suffering the sentence of the consequences of our choices, taking away in chains and held behind bars. Apart from the grace of God that comes through confession, repentance, and faith in You to forgive us and free us from what we have done, we will reap what we sow. "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for (we) will reap whatever (we) sow. If (we) sow to (our) own flesh, (we) will reap corruption from the flesh; but if (we) sow to the Spirit, (we) will reap eternal life from the Spirit" (Galatians 6:7-8).
But You are the God who releases the prisoners and sets the captives free! "If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). You are the God who forgives us and frees us in Your mercy and love, "who forgives all (our) iniquity, who heals all our diseases, who redeems (our) life from the pit, who crowns (us) with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies (us) with good as long as (we) live so that (our) youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:3-5). You bring us "out of darkness and gloom, and break (our) bonds asunder.... For (You) shatter the doors of bronze and cut in two the bars of iron.... (You) sent out (Your) word and healed (us), and delivered (us) from destruction!" (Psalm 107:10-20)
Whether we are "captives" or "prisoners," we have a Savior! We have One who comes into our hearts, into our circumstances, into our captivity and bondage to set us free! You break our chains and open the prison doors! You bring us up out of the pit and fill us up with Your Spirit to "display (Your) glory" as "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord!" (Isaiah 61:3) And then You send us out to share the hope You've poured into us in the power of Your Spirit! (John 20:21-22) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, I pray you are are filled with the Spirit of Christ to display the glory of God in the freedom you have in Him as an oak of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Preaching in Pakistan. Friends, thank you so much for all your prayers and support for our evangelistic meetings in Pakistan through our Skype Internet Ministry. Each month, I am preaching in different villages around Lahore, Pakistan in the Punjab Region. Saturday night, Pastor Fazal reports that almost 300 souls were saved and over 60 people experience healing and freedom in the name of Jesus! Praise God! Please keep us in prayer for salvation, healing, deliverance, and revival in the mighty name of Jesus! God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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