Tag: #Psalm18:36

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Captivity to Freedom – Part 1

To be in captivity means to be bound.

We can be held captive by sin or held captive without a cause, like Paul. But we can also be made captive in Jesus. 

Love, who is God, offers us a choice (1 Jn 4:16, 1 Co 6:12). 

Psalm 40:6 TPT calls His chosen ones “prisoners of love for life.”

Both Peter and Paul referred to themselves as bond servants to Christ (2 Pe 1:1, Ph 1:1), as those who lived willingly submitted to God’s authority, as they followed Jesus. They understood their lives were not their own and that living captive to Christ meant limitless, true liberty. 

Jesus offers us the highest form of liberty.

When Jesus sets us free from wrong captivity, we are made complete in Him (Ps 18:36).

Paul says in Galatians 5:1 TPT, “…the Anointed One has set us free—not partially, but completely and wonderfully free! We must always cherish this truth and stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.”

Song of Songs 6:5 TPT tells us that God adores us, saying He is “…Overpowered by a glance, [His] ravished heart—undone. Held captive by [our] love, [He is] truly overcome! For [our] undying devotion to [Him] is the most yielded sacrifice.”

Friends, to be as captivated by God as He is by us is the best form of captivity.

Ephesians 4:8 TPT tells us, “…He ascends into the heavenly heights taking his many captured ones with him, and gifts were given to men.”

So, with Jesus, we ascend to heavenly heights and receive grace gifts for Kingdom purposes on earth, to the extent that we can finally reach “the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and [become] fully developed in the abundance of Christ” (Ep 4:13).

To be deeply in love with God helps us live out His heart’s desire for us. 

His best plan, even beyond ourselves.

Nothing is more satisfying than to know Him and walk with Him through the greatest adventure that is our life on earth, lifted by resurrected Jesus.

James 1:25 TPT assures us that “…those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do!”

Ephesians 1:3 TPT tells us that “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!”

Friends, we are wrapped in Him as Love (Ps 32:10).

We are wrapped in His Presence (Ps 16:8).

We are wrapped in His Protection (Ps 140:6).

We are wrapped in His Arms of Faithfulness (Ps 91:4).

We are wrapped in His Glory (Ps 30:11).

We are wrapped in His Favor (Psalms 5:12).

Who wouldn’t want this?

Song of Songs 8:6 TPT offers us a victory strategy by saying, “Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore. This living, consuming flame will seal you as my prisoner of love. My passion is stronger than the chains of death and the grave, all consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God. Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being.”

Since darkness cannot hold Jesus back, down, or out, when we live in agreement with Him, we can live above darkness too. We can live a higher (resurrected) life with Him in His grace and glory (Ac 2:24).

We can live enthroned with Him (Ep 2:6, Is 52:2).

Living in the freedom of divine captivation is a choice that’s ongoing as we remain close to God (Jn 15:4).

But what happens if we stray? What if we choose a sinful form of captivity (2 Pe3:17)?

There is grace for repentance. 

His truth will set us free (Jn 8:32), and He “… unveils truth wrapped in tender mercy” (Jn 1:17). 

His Word “can never be chained” (2 Ti 2:9).

2 Timothy 1:8 tells us that we “overcome every evil by the revelation of the power of God!

James 1:21 TPT tells us that “…with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us.”

So, when we wholeheartedly repent from the foolish way of false captivity, God will restore our destiny (Ps 85:1). 

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord,

“…You are the wrap-around God giving grace to me” (Ps 18:30). Thank You for loving me more than I know. I repent of all wrong captivity, and I forgive those who held me captive. I renounce all involvement in wrong captivity and close the door to darkness. I choose to receive Your liberty through Christ. I choose to wrap my heart tightly around the hope that lives within me, knowing that You always keep Your promises (He 10:23). Help me to continue to advance in strength with the truth wrapped around my heart as You carry out Your plans in my life (2 Ti 3:14). Thank You for holding me in Your grip of grace as You enable me to reign as a king in life, enjoying regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah” (Ro 5:17).

In His Holy Name, 

Amen.

And now, “I am contending for you that your hearts will be wrapped in the comfort of heaven and woven together into love’s fabric. This will give you access to all the riches of God as you experience the revelation of God’s great mystery—Christ” (Co 2:2).

Join me next week for Part 2 of Captivity to Freedom.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Solidarity: Fellowship to Strengthen – Part 2

God is gathering His saints (Christ-followers). 

His powerhouse (Ac 3:7, 16; 16:5, 2 Cor 1:21).

John 11:52 TPT tells us “…Jesus’ death would not be for the Jewish people only, but to gather together God’s children scattered around the world and unite them as one.”

God’s order is coming into place beautifully, being established through His mature bride for His return, by His Spirit. 

Seated (Eph 2:6).

Immovable (1 Pe 5:9).

Undivided and in agreement with Him.

The opposite of the anti-Christ’s one world religion (He 13:9, 2 Pe 3:17).

But to operate in true solidarity—by grace, a strong fellowship of faithful Christ followers who bring Heaven to earth and strengthen others—we must first be faithful in solitude.

Solitude is made of up of the Latin word “soli,” which, according to Webster’s, is plural for “solo” and can mean “accommodating one person.” (For the purpose of this devotion, that One person would be Jesus and in essence, means many serving The Lord and others for His Kingdom.) “Tude” in “solitude” is derived from the Latin word tudo, which means state or condition.

As Christians, we regard ourselves as being set apart from the world unto The Lord. We refer to solitude as our “secret place” with God. Sometimes, we call it our “alone time.” 

It’s where we commune deeply with God and are strengthened by His Presence, often in an attitude of prayer, worship, Bible reading or just being quiet before Him. 

Matthew 6:6 TPT says, “But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”

One of the definitions of solitude that Webster’s uses is “A lonely place (as a desert).” 

This brings to mind Jesus being driven into the desert by Holy Spirit to be tested for forty days, while angels ministered to Him during and after (Mk 1:12-13, Matt 4:11).

Solitude is an arena for desperation. But the irony here is that it’s “also where God richly grants His presence and provision for those seeking Him.” It’s where “the limitless Lord shows Himself strong in the ‘limiting’ (difficult) scenes of life” (HELPS Word-studies).

Solitude is a place of preparation, where God breaks open the way for us to see and receive His higher through revelation and His glorious Presence.

Jesus especially experienced this soon before He was about to be crucified for our redemption. 

Matthew 26:42 TPT tells us, “…he left them for a second time to pray in solitude. He said to God, ‘My Father, if there is not a way that you can deliver me from this suffering, then your will must be done.’”

In-between the desert testing and His crucifixion, Jesus made solitude a practice: 

Luke 6:12 TPT says, “…Jesus went up into the high hills to spend the whole night in prayer to God.

Mark 1:35 TPT reveals, “The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer.” 

Jesus also practiced solitude with His team of disciples: 

Mark 6:31 TPT says, “There was such a swirl of activity around Jesus, with so many people coming and going, that they were unable to even eat a meal. So, Jesus said to his disciples, “Come, let’s take a break and find a secluded place where you can rest a while.”

We all need solitude with God to grow and develop in our relationship with Him and get recharged from Kingdom work.

Abiding with Him day and night is the only way we can remain steadfast, wherever He sends us. 

Solitude is a place where our heart is strengthened (Ja 5:8): 

It’s where hope gets renewed, our passion is reignited, mysteries are revealed, healing happens and peace prevails. 

It’s where we exchange our low life for His high life: Our lust for His love. Our carnal appetites for His desires (Ga 6:8). 

It’s where crooked places are made straight in us (1 Th 3:13, 2 Th 2:17).

It’s where we become settled amid sifting (1 Pe 5:10). 

It’s where we are reminded to remain enthroned above the entombment of our past (Ep 2:6, Lk 23:53).

And it’s the only way we can bear good fruit in every season (Ps 1:3).

Psalm 1:3 AMPC says, “And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. [Jer. 17:7, 8.]”

1 Corinthians 15:58 TPT encourages us to, “… stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.”

Our strong union with God blossoms outwardly and exponentially in union with other believers to extend His love without falter. His Spirit enables us to minister in overflow.

In Colossians 1:23 TPT, Paul encourages us to “…continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in…this is the glorious news I preach all over the world.”

So, friends, will you dare to be made more solid (whole) with God for His glory?

He desires a house that will stand (Ma 12:25).

This is my prayer for us…

Dear Lord, 

“Could there be any other god like you? You are the only God to be worshiped, for there is not a more secure foundation to build” our lives “upon than you” (Ps 18:31 TPT). “You’ve set” us “free from captivity and now” we’re “standing complete, ready to fight some more” (Ps 18:36 TPT)! Thank You for comforting and encouraging our “hearts and” strengthening “them” [making “them steadfast and” keeping “them unswerving] in every good work and word” (2 Th 2:17 AMPC). “Through you” we “ascend to the highest peaks of your glory to stand in the heavenly places, strong and secure in you” (Ps 18:33 TPT). Thank You for unseating Your enemies and shoring up breaches, by Your Spirit, and through Your people. Help us to remain in You and honor You—Your Presence and grace of glory-power. Your peace. Thank You for the safety and power in numbers, that “wherever two or three are gathered…in” Your “name, there” You are “in the midst of them” (Ma 18:20 AMPC). Thank You for prospering us everywhere You send us, by Your grace, enabling us to leave “the church stronger and more encouraged than before” (Acts 15:41 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.