WHAT STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND FREEDOM?

ACTS 5:17-20: ” . . . . But, during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and leading them out said, Go, take your stand in the temple . . . .”

The scripture does not suggest that this was a normal occurrence. To my knowledge, this is the first appearance of an angel appearing and removing anyone out of their confinement. There were angels who came to Lot in the city of Sodom when the city was set to be destroyed. They visited them and led them out of the city for their protection and response to Abraham’s request to the Lord. (Genesis 18 & 19)

We know about the protection of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace (Daniel 3). We know about Daniel when an Angel of the Lord protects him (Daniel 6). The protection for each was within the confines of their circumstances.

Peter was in a prison, surrounded by guards whose life was forfeited if they failed their job, which they did through no fault of their own. An angel is responsible for opening the prison door, but how since the doors were found locked and the guards still on duty? The angel actually opened a (tangible) locked door, led them out, and locked it again without a key (?) and no one heard a thing? They didn’t just pass through the locked door. Just thinking about it is mind boggling.

I can imagine them sitting there wondering what would happen to them. Was this the end? Were they to die and be with the Lord? What would happen? I doubt the appearance of an angel ever crossed their minds. They did, however, have previous experience with God’s faithfulness and the miraculous.

What is your experience? Have you ever been a situation where you saw no way out? Where you were experiencing hopelessness? Do you believe God could send an angel for you?

“SUDDENLY” THE PRISON DOORS WERE OPENED AND THE CHAINS CAME LOOSE

ACTS 16:25-26: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God…

“Suddenly” there was a powerful earthquake. It shook the prison from top to bottom. All at once the prison doors flew open. Everybody’s chains came loose.

They were put in prison for preaching the gospel. They didn’t murder anybody — harm anyone; but, they did share information that challenged people’s theology, preconceived ideas and way of life. They were challenging the “status quo” and comfort zone of those in charge.

Jesus came to do what no other man at that time could do. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners . . . . ” (Isaiah 61)

If you want to see the Lord move in your life, begin to praise Him. He will turn your situation around and you’ll see the VICTORY!” The enemy has no defense against praise.

Do you feel like you are in “prison” and need a “suddenly” in your life?

Are you bound by a physical illness, lack of finances, depression, addiction, etc.? Are there chains holding you to your past or keeping you from walking out of a prison in your life? What is in your mind (memory) that might be affecting your body and your emotions; and, or, healthy relationship with God and others?

It’s easy to praise the Lord when we feel good; when things are going well. Pain is often a reflection of emotions trapped in the body. — fear, anger, judgment, sorrow, unforgiveness, etc.

When my husband was in the hospital, diagnosed with a terminal illness, we were waiting to receive information about a procedure they wanted to do to him. He was dozing and I sat in a chair next to his bed. I pulled up the song Break Every Chain. It was a recording of a live service with Tasha Cobbs singing and ministering.

I heard in my mind, “the prison door is unlocked; kick it open; the chains will fall off, and then walk out.” I could see myself sitting in that prison of fear and uncertainty of what lay ahead. I physically raised my leg and kicked that imaginary door open, felt the weight of the chains falling off and in my mind I walked out of that prison of fear and uncertainty. That was a “suddenly” in my life that allowed me to walk through the next part of my journey – widowhood.

Once you walk out of the prison, DON’T LOOK BACK!

We listened to the doctors. Prayed as a family and Tom made his decision not to have a procedure that would be both painful and prolong the inevitable end result (unless God supernaturally intervened). He was sent home to be with family where he could live out the remainder of his time with us before going home to be with the Lord days later.

https://youtu.be/_cAUnuH7Lik

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