"Prisoner of Life...Prisoner of Love!?!"

Ever hear of the escape jacket? A trick jacket whereby an accomplished magician can imprison himself tightly--with no visible means of escape--and then somehow, "magically" free himself from what looks like an inescapable bondage. Several years ago at the peak of my son Jason's interest in magic tricks, he learned how to do it--and do it he did--for any audience who would watch! Incredible trick and picture in our family memory album!

Real life can do the same thing to us--and what better time to talk about it than the Fourth of July when all Americans celebrate the freedom they enjoy. We can be free in Christ too--when we are a prisoner of LOVE, not of LIFE--and that's what this devo is all about. So strap yourself into the unescapable jacket--or are you already in it?--and let's find out what REAL freedom is all about!

An Imprisoned Soul--A Place of Emotional Pain!

So what's wrong with emotions? The good ones we enjoy--love, joy, peace and more. It's the "bad" ones we endure--anxiety, dread, fear; hurtfulness, heaviness, hatred; anger, anxiety, depression--all emotions of the soul that bind us into an unescapable place of pain--unless we let the Lord of Liberty free us! He knows what to do, when to do it and how to perform it--if we'll let him.

Emotional pain got you all tied up in knots? No magician can free you--but the Master can. Will you let Him do it today?

An Imprisoned heart--A Place of Guarded Treasure!

So what's wrong with treasures? Nothing--when they're held in proper perspective and priority. Everything--when they're held in first place, in lieu of the Lordship of Jesus Christ! Houses and lands, clothing and jewels, stocks and bonds--blessings of God or burdens of life, depending on where they're placed on the ladder of life.

Guarded treasures got you all tied up in knots? No magician can free you--but the Master can. He'll help you put it all in proper perspective and priority--will you let Him do it today?

An Imprisoned Spirit--A Place of Self-Control

So what's wrong with self-control? Without its rightful place, our world, our weight, our wonderful families would be completely out of control! But when self-control becomes the "god-control" of your life, look out! You are in big trouble--for you see, HE must be Lord. He must govern the spirit of man--and woman--or we become our own god, the ruler of our lives and everyone else around us. Self-government by a strong spirit will imprison you beyond measure. Only God's Spirit can truly control and lead a life that longs for perfect freedom--we are free IN HIM and IN HIM alone.

Got a strong spirit? Give it to Him. Let Him mold and shape your spirit so it is bendable, so it is strong, not in yourself but in the King of Kings. That's freedom indeed!

So WHERE is "real freedom" found? Amazingly enough, it's found in being a "prisoner of Jesus Christ." He binds us not with cords of emotional hurt, earthly treasures, of our own self-will, but with cords of love. Soul, heart and spirit--wonderful parts of the human make-up that is ours to endure--or enjoy--depending on what we do with each one. Hold onto our own life--and we lose it. Hand it over to the Lord--and we gain what we cannot lose! It's called amazing grace! I want to be a prisoner of love, "a prisoner of Jesus Christ," wholly belonging to Him, how about you!

...and that's just a thought or two from my heart to yours. Be FREE today--FREE IN HIM--and FREE INDEED!