Breaking the Bondage!

The 21/90 rule says that it will become a habit if we commit to a personal or professional goal for twenty-one days.  Then if we continue to do it for another ninety days, it should become a permanent lifestyle change!  Addictions, too, start in the same way.  I was addicted to eating uncooked rice.  It began as a harmless thing and became a habit and came to the point that I had to have a packet of uncooked rice even in the office!  I did not recognize it as a problem at all.  I thought it was just rice, not marijuana.  One day the Lord spoke to me.  He said that there was nothing wrong with rice by itself, but it was all about self­-control.  I was convicted that day, and I prayed the 'prayer of helplessness' - "Lord, I want to stop, but I cannot.  Help me, Lord".  God delivered me from that addiction immediately.  All glory to God alone.  Since that day, I have been free.  That is how alcoholics and drug addicts are also delivered; just like that, in a moment, with power from above!

There is a purpose and power in the resurrection of the Lord.  We need to understand both to enjoy our relationship with the Lord.  If it were not for the resurrection, then we would not have the ability to be born again, and that is the purpose.  We had "no hope, without God in this world" (Eph.  2:12).  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith”  (1 John 5:4).  Now the power of the Holy Spirit that we have in us comes as a direct result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 16:7).  By the power of the resurrection, we no longer have to be slaves to sin, fear, or habits.  We can be overcomers!  If we learn to use the power that is at work in us, we can break their bondage and be free.  

My friend, is there a habit you want to break?  What starts as a simple, innocent activity slowly zaps all our time and energy!  It could be a TV show or a computer game.  Pray the prayer of helplessness today.  The purpose of the resurrection power is to give us victory!  

Out of bondage into freedom                                                                                        From the chains that held me fast                                                                                  Out of bondage into freedom                                                                                         From my prison free at last!                          -  Bill and Gloria Gaither

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