Being Imprisoned Comes in Many Forms

Photo by Mitch Lensink (unsplash)

For many years I had the opportunity to be involved in prison ministry until Father God moved me into another direction. When I was involved in Prison Ministry, I visited several different prison institutions and I always noticed (depending on the age of the prison) they all had different lockdown security systems for keeping inmates in and visitors out. Nonetheless, they all served the same purpose – to keep one imprisoned bodily. Each week as I visited inmates (men or women), I would listen to the saddest stories of their lives and their various spiritual beliefs, along with some superstitions. While some didn’t believe in God, others believed because their parents were Believers it made them Believers. It always amazed me, then and now, how the devil uses a person’s misfortune in life for his evil opportunities to destroy them. These inmates were trapped by satan and didn’t realize they could be set free from a life of crime and have their minds renewed. Many were so lost in their minds believing their was no hope, that it became very difficult for them to believe we have a loving Father who wants to welcome them into His Family. For those who did believe, they either had a hard time believing God would forgive them for their wrong doings; while there were others who knew God would forgive them but believed their lifestyle of crime was all they were capable of doing even into the future!

As I sit here thinking about the whereabouts and lives of these inmates, their mindsets remind me of many in the body of Christ (the Church). Jesus compels all to come, the wounded and bruised of heart! All that have been offended all that are hurting, all that have been imprisoned in their minds – come He says, I will save you and I will heal you!

Many come into the Family of God, but when He is ready to do “spiritual surgery” on us, we refuse! I was guilty of this mindset! I tried to incorporate my old mindset of religion into God’s Kingdom. I wanted to receive the blessing of Salvation, but I didn’t want to change, however I soon learned what Luke 5:37 meant, which reads: “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.”  For six months after my salvation, I lived a life of confusion and doubt because I was trying to hang onto my old ways. Thank God I saw the light and was willing to receive His truth. I am now a member of God’s Family for over 30 years and enjoying my journey with Father in freedom.

Unfortunately, as I have the opportunity to minister to many in the Family of God, they are still imprisoned in their minds because they don’t want to let go of “old wine!” They are no better off then the inmates imprisoned bodily.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says He will give us “rest” for our wounded souls. We don’t have to carry the burdens of our past! We don’t have to carry old offenses! We don’t have to be angry any more! Jesus death and Resurrection on the Cross gave everyone who believes in their heart, in Him, freedom and victory over past hurts, wounds, unforgiveness, or whatever is keeping anyone imprisoned. Whether you have been in the Family of God one day or several years, LET GO and LET GOD FREE YOU TODAY, come out of those old wine bottles and enjoy the freedom of the new wine!

One of my favorite scriptures and the scripture our ministry is founded on says: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 KJV

Children of God, we are “free ambassadors.” Let Jesus give you “rest”, quit fighting Him and let go of all that heavy package of hurt and pain that you have been carrying for years. Jesus loves you enough to have died for you, so TRUST Him enough to pour into you the new wine of healing and deliverance. Jesus’ love and offer of freedom is greater than anything this world has to offer. Be set free today!

Jesus invites all:  “Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 KJV