Redesigning your shackles and chains

Are you tired of wearing shackles and chains . . . . of feeling bound up . . . unable to get free from things in your past, in the present, or even worries about the future?

What is it that is keeping you from living in freedom?

Current or past sins? Unforgiveness? Anger? Hurts? Abuse? Doubt? Fear?

Whatever it is . . . do you believe that God can help you break free? And not only that . . . that God can empower you to then use that which the enemy meant for evil - for good?!

Psalm 107:10-14

10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.

This past weekend our church had a Women's Immersion weekend . . . all about Freedom! God did some awesome things - freeing many ladies from various things - anger and unforgiveness towards parents, husbands, ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, abusers, past sins . . . you name it! God was breaking off the chains and shackles that had kept so many of these ladies bound up and unable to fully enjoy the freedom that Christ paid for on the cross.

We sang a song on Saturday morning about the shackles and chains coming off . . . falling to the ground. God showed me this vision:

All these iron shackles and chains were falling off the women onto the floor. God came in and started sweeping them up with a big broom - right out of the room. He took them to a big pot and melted them down. Then he turned the old shackles and chains into swords. He placed a sword in each of the women's hands. However, it wasn't an old iron sword. He had infused some of Himself into it - some of His royalty - His power and authority as the King of kings . . . He had added gold to them! He was not handing back ugly grey iron swords - but ones made with gold!! God then took the tears of the women and turned them into precious gem stones. He adorned the handles of each sword with the women's tears.

Once you are free - the devil will try to remind you of the shackles and chains that he had you bound up in for so long. He will try to convince you that you are still bound up - or that you should be. It may seem strange to not have those chains there . . . as you have been used to feeling the weight of them on your legs and arms. But when the devil tries to remind you of them - tell him that you do still feel the weight of them . . . . but this time it is in the form of a SWORD!

You will no longer feel the weight as a burden, but as something that empowers you to take vengence on the enemy . . . to fight the spiritual battles that need to be fought . . . to bring freedom to other people in your life! God is allowing you to use what was meant to enslave you - to bring freedom to others!! Isn't that awesome?!!

How do you do that - turn your chains into a sword? Here are some examples from women in my own church . . .

Chains - Daughter struggled with a lifelong illness and died too early at age 14.
Sword - The mom is going back to school to become a nurse and help others in similar situations!!

Chains - Abused by her father, abandoned by her mother, became a prostitute, husband left her.
Sword - Preaching the word of God and started a ministry to reach out to prostitutes, abused women and more!!

Chains - Having marital issues after 25 years of marriage and ministry.
Sword - Working things out, seeking Godly counsel and support, and realizing that God can still use them even in/with their imperfections!!

Chains - Pregnant as a teenager and chose to end the baby's life via abortion.
Sword - Has a ministry for women who have had abortions - bringing freedom and forgiveness into their lives!!

Chains - Husband left her for another woman, had various medical issues, became addicted to pain killers to numb all the pain (physically and emotionally).
Sword - Still has some "less than ideal" situations in her life - but is "soaring like an eagle" above it all! Is full of the joy of the Lord DESPITE the circumstances! Is seeking out opportunities to minister to others - through prayer, intercession, etc!!

There are many other examples . . . as each of us has some sort of chains/shackles that we have had to deal with.

What is your testimony? What chains have you been set free from? And are you using the sword that God has put in your hand?

What chains do you need to be set free from?


God can set you free! He really can!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1

Search His word (the Bible) today and find those verses that pertain to His promises to set you free - to help you live in freedom. - "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." Ps. 119:45

Seek out Godly counsel and support - "Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance." Proverbs 20:18 (this is war!)

Get some prayer and deliverance -"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12.

And once you are free . . . keep reminding the devil that you are free by showing him your gold, jewel-encrusted, powerful sword!!

Live Free!

L :)

This song was on my mind this morning . . .

Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord) Lyrics
Performed by- Darrell Evans
I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning