I WANT MY FREEDOM BACK!

 We aren’t called to be Christians just so we can be happy and content. We are called to be living channels of God’s Love upon this earth.
* “…constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

How do you get out of the trap of Temptation and Sin? To whom do you cry out, “I want my freedom back”?

Whenever we move from playing Christianity to having a genuine encounter with the living Christ, we are confronted with our Own Humanity and Sin compared to the unmerited Love and Power of Jesus Christ that is personally directed to us.
*It should bring us to our knees. It is an awesome experience to transition from Religion to Relationship.
*Life is never the same when you have a personal encounter with our Savior.

Picture yourself as a bird in the fowler’s trap. Stand still. Don’t flap your
wings; don’t struggle. There is a secret of deliverance for you, and it is not
complicated:
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
Psalm 124: 7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8 Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

What a wonderful promise! Your escape to Freedom is in the name of Jesus, in
His incredible, glorious, all-powerful name!!!!
All you have to know is that Jesus is on your side. He is not mad at you for
falling into the trap. Jesus is not against you. No, never! 
JESUS hears your cry because not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowing about it!

There have been many times in my life when I feel as if the enemy is gleefully enjoying an open season on me and God isn’t blocking anything.
*I have talked to many others that have felt this same way at times and have asked me questions like ‘where was God when my son was killed’; ‘where was God when my daughter was violated by someone who should have been protecting her’; ‘where was God when my spouse decided I was not worth loving anymore’; ‘where was God when the Twin Towers were attacked’; ‘where was God when…’

We see events from our own limited perspective of only the here and now, focusing on what did happen and getting Lost in the magnitude of Despair.
*God sees the whole picture, what did happen and what could have happened.

*It’s not about the glass being half empty or half full, BUT being able to look past the overwhelming emotions and find God– Knowing He is in Control!

When trials and tragedy come it often feels like God has forgotten us or is being cruel by putting us through more than we can handle. This Psalm 124 is a reminder that if God hadn’t been watching over us the trial or tragedy would have destroyed us.
*Instead, we come through to the other side Stronger and More Equipped to face the next step.

Here is what the bird of freedom sings to himself:  ” This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.  For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ” (Psalm 91:2-3, 14-15).

*Rest assured, that God will deliver you. No matter what your failure, your hardship, your trap, He is on your side.

*Stand still and see His salvation. Even if you are weak, you can cry out to Him because He promises to come and tear the net away!

He has come to bring you out of your despair, to break the snare that binds you and set you FREE.  “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the
fowlers” (Psalm 124:7).

God is the Author of all our deliverances, and he must have the glory.
*The enemies lay snares for God’s people, to bring them into sin and trouble, and to hold them there. *Sometimes they seem to prevail; but in the Lord let us put our trust, and we shall not be put to confusion.
*The believer will ascribe all the honor of his salvation, to the power, mercy, and truth of God, and look back with wonder and thanksgiving on the way in which the Lord has led him.
*Let us rejoice that our help for the time to come is in Him who made heaven and earth!

The strength of your life and health is not only found in joy but in dealing
with things as they come.

* Diligence is the operative word here.  Quiet and steady perseverance will benefit you greatly and keep you moving forward. 
**This is no time to get stuck in circumstances that seem to be overwhelming.  When something seems to be beyond your ability to deal with, trust the Lord for the help that you need. 
*The Lord will give you direction, wisdom and strength in all things.
*Psalm 120:1-2  I will lift up my eyes to the hills-From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

We can call on His name in our times of need. He created everything and is the only One who can meet our needs.
** When I am in trouble, frustrated, or discouraged, I need to turn to Him first. He is the only one who can meet all my needs.
* I am often tempted to put my hope in a pile of different things and people other then God. I will remember why my hope is in God today.  “I’m FREE!”

Father, you know where my heart is right now. Help me deal with these feelings, and help me to be patient and wait on You for the answers, not man.  Your Word and Truth is Perfect for the soul and I put my Trust in You. God, thank You for creating me. Thank You for loving me enough to listen to me and help me through my troubles.  Protect me today, use me today.  Thank You for Victory in YOU and YOU ALONE!  Amen