"Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!" Acts 16:26. NLT
When you came to know Jesus that first time, your chains fell off. You didn't take them off and neither did any human force. It was Jesus Christ, your Saviour who did it for you. It may have been recently or, it may have been years ago; they fell off and they have not been fitted back on to you. Jesus doesn't save you and then give up on you. Likewise, He doesn't heal you from a sickness and give it back to you. When those chains fell off, you were made free.
Some people however, tend to take them back again. Take for instance healing. You may have been healed from a severe back condition, so why do you confess, 'My back is killing me.' Number one, it is extremely unlikely that your back is killing you and number two, you may have a few twinges in your back and these may lead you to feel your back condition has returned. At these times, you need to refuse to have any symptoms of this condition because you were healed by the power of Jesus. Don't forget, Jesus set you free, but Satan wants to keep you chained to the past.
When we ask Jesus into our lives, the chains do fall off and the only one who will take them up again is yourself. The thing we must remember is, that when those chains fell off, your life was not deemed to be a well tended rose garden. Weeds would still grow and the garden needed maintaining. It's the same with your Christian life; you were saved but sin would still tempt you and, like everyone else, you would have bad days. You would have money problems, bad jobs, good jobs, no job and bills flying through your door like paper planes. The difference though, you have Jesus to help you in every area. He's interested in your day to day life and wants to take the lead in all you do; and only you can prevent this.
Some people may say, 'We don't do charity, thank you very much.' Well charity is an old English word for love and it means, unselfish, benevolent concern for other persons. So these people are saying that they don't accept love and this is what Jesus is about. He is love. Make sure you don't do this. Accept whatever God sends to you, gratefully and don't be proud about it. Jesus is taking care of you.
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
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If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk