BREAKING THE CHAINS OF BONDAGE

[Albert Finch]

"And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God." - Luke 13:11-13

In verse 14, we are told the ruler of the synagogue objected to Jesus healing on the Sabbath day. Jesus responds:

"Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom satan has bound – think of it – for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" - Luke 13:15-16

ARMED FOR BATTLE

1. We have a vicious enemy, who wants to victimize us, torment us and take away all hope of freedom or fulfillment of dreams or destinies. He wants to put chains around our neck, keep us bent over with our heads down and fill us with feelings of shame and worthlessness.

2. We have a God who loves us and has the power to set us free and rebuke every physical, spiritual and emotional spirit of infirmity.

3. Those who have suffered most under the diabolical enslavement of our evil enemy, will become the most determined and fearless fighters against him, in order to free others still living under his insidious control.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few. The reason for that is that so many potential laborers are all bent over, feeling unusable to God because of either secret or not-so-secret spiritual, physical or emotional bondages.

When people are all bent over and cannot lift their heads up, they will always be looking down. You don't get a great perspective on the future, when you can see nothing but dirt. Your eyes are not on the horizon or on the heavens. You are seeing nothing but the same old dirt day after day.

Millions of Christians, and others who would become Christians, who would otherwise love to serve God and help bring in the harvest, are hopelessly held in chains of various addictions. Others suffer the torment of depression, fear and anxiety. These bondages are real. They are not easily cured by people preaching at them or quoting trite slogans. They need a strong and anointed word and touch from Jesus, Himself, to break the chains that keep them in bondage.

What Jesus read in His hometown synagogue about Himself, He is now proclaiming from Heaven and pouring out the anointing oil on His own Body, His Church right now:

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion.
To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. And they shall rebuild the old ruins; They shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations." - Isaiah 61:1-4

This was the job description the Father gave to Jesus to fulfill on His mission. Today, Jesus is giving us, His Body on the earth, the same job description. But He is not asking us to do it in our own giftings, or our own strength. No, He is pouring out the same Holy Spirit on us today, that was poured into Him at His baptism.

We, His Church, His Body and His Bride, will feel that surge of supernatural energy within our spirits to take down principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. We will not do this in foolish presumption, but together with the help and guidance of other members of His Body who have recovered from similar bondages -- we will hear His voice, feel His anointing power, and proclaim, touch and break chains.

As we begin to bring freedom to those both inside and outside the Church, we will observe the fearless passion of those who have been liberated. They will boldly enlist by discipling others into the army of the Lord. They will be discipled into how to use spiritual weapons of warfare, which are not carnal, but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).

The power of the testimony of delivered people cannot be overestimated. Since satan has done such a thorough job of bringing people into captivity, it creates a wonderful occasion for those who bring keys to unlock their prison doors. Captives will be crying out for their own freedom when they hear the testimony of others. The result will be countless conversions to Christ. Hope will arise and the excitement will spread like a prairie fire in dry stubble.

OUR ASSIGNMENT

We must cooperate with God in this strategic plan to prepare His harvesters. So what must we then do?

1. Humble ourselves before God, confessing our need for His touch and His anointing.

2. Pray earnestly for the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit to be empowered in our lives.

3. Identify our own bondage, observing the fearless passion of those who have been liberated from the same bondage -- being willing to be discipled by them on how to use the spiritual weapons of warfare that are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.  (2 Corinthians 10:4)

4. Lift up your head and look forward to advancing your CALLING in Christ in His Kingdom!

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
https://afministry.ning.com/