— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Fellow Soldier,

We pray the following will lift your spirit, your hopes and chin. Although you might be suffering greatly, He Who loves you most, Who hears your prayers, knows your needs and misdeeds, assures that it’s but for a season.

There is always enough evil afoot to oppress, but never enough to legally imprison one whom Christ has set free.  Greater is His Holy Spirit within you, than all the demons of this sin polluted world and universe. Christ's love-motivated blood sacrifice, broke the bonds of sin, commuted our death sentence and set us free from the Old Covenant’s ceremonial Law.  Further, it issues a New Birth certificate to any sinner ("whosoever") who repents of their sin and accepts Jesus as Redeemer and Lord.

As free souls in Christ, let us be good stewards of that liberty, rise up and go forth to do the work of the ministry.  Place all your needs and cares upon Him, for He is faithful and true.

Freedom in Christ

Jesus ripped the doors from our prisons!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised” (Lk 4:18).

One reason Germany’s Bavarian Baron, Karl-Theador zu Guttenberg, is both adored and despised, is his deportment; the noble dignity and authority with which he conducts himself (keep an eye on him). Similarly, but with ALL authority and aplomb, Jesus opened Isaiah’s scroll and read verse 61:1 to those in Nazareth’s synagogue.  After sitting down, He then made this jaw-dropping statement: “Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears” (Lk 4:21b).  However, soon after "... all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (v22a) they were “filled with wrath” (v28), ushered Him out of their den and toward the nearest cliff (v29).

“Passing Through”

The following verse tells us how He handled that life-threatening assault and serves as an example for dealing with spiritual attacks today.  “Then passing through the midst of them, He went his way” (Lk 4:30). He merely walked away.  Really?!  Sounds rather miraculous to me, but a miracle isn’t always needed for believers to prevail. What we DO need is — as clear and firm a conviction of who we are in Christ — as He is of His standing with the Father.  Sharp and solid.

Reassuringly, at times, God does inject Himself when saints are in distress, especially when they rise to their stature in Christ ... though not necessarily for all to see.  One New Testament example climaxes the stoning of Stephen.  The seventh chapter of Acts details his boldness in reciting Truth to his detractors; those holding the power of life and death.  After courageously standing firm and just prior to his “passing through” into eternity and ultimate deliverance, God appeared to Stephen alone.  “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55,56).

“Being full of the Holy Ghost” was the winning ingredient of that entire episode and remains very much the imperative for believers today.  When born-again, not only are our sins forgiven and we granted eternal life in God’s kingdom, we’re gifted with the “Comforter” ; His Spirit Who sets up permanent housekeeping within us. He indwells to provide wisdom and power so we might live victoriously before God (Jn 14:16).  We’ve GOT to know this!  It’s key to living free in the liberty for which our Savior gave His blood.

Being Spirit indwelt is one thing, however, quite another to be filled.  As with a drinking glass, WE choose the filling, with options ranging from water to wine.  We decide what to pour into our glass.  Likewise, believers have the freedom to choose how they spend their time and what goes into their minds.  To the extent we sup the world’s sap, we remain worldly and to that same degree, will NOT be filled with the Spirit.

Conversely, if we diligently invest ourselves in kingdom concerns, feast on the “bread of life” (Jn 6:33,35,48, 51) and drink of “living water” (Jn 4:10-14) increasingly we ARE being filled with His Spirit. What fills our minds (plus our prayer life) impacts how well we “pass through” enemy lines and how much Christ-won liberty we appropriate.  Filling results from frequent draughts of God’s Word, worship, prayer, study, sitting and savoring at the feet of Jesus and the fellowship of true believers.  Though this general approach will help one become "filled" with any body of information, all others lack the supernatural element and power of this divine endeavor.

Even MORE IMPORTANT than the awareness of our standing in Christ and that God’s power resides within, is application of this knowledge to our lives.  His GRACE is vital but of itself, will not produce freedom until mixed with our faith (e.g. salvation).  In God’s economy, the key to access is FAITH; trusting what He says is true and living accordingly.  That’s to say; walking by faith, not by sight, regardless of circumstances. "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Gal 3:11).

Is knowledge “power”?

Yes ... but only to the extent it’s appropriately applied; of itself, it accomplishes little or nothing.  Most of us know a believer who carries a 14-pound King Jimmie, readily quotes chapter and verse ... but who also perennially lives "under the circumstances."  That is, rather then victoriously above by the grace, provision, power and liberty we have in Christ.  Friend, this isn’t a criticism, but a reminder that WE LIVE in the freedom of salvation BY "DOING" the Word of God.  That’s how its "dynamite" (dunamis) power is released into our lives.

I love Paul’s declaration to the Philippians: “... this one thing I do ...” (3:13).  James also exhorts: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Jas 1:22-23).  Beloved, hear the Spirit pleading with and exhorting us through Christ’s apostles. YES!  we’re saved by grace ... BUT are judged by our good works of faith.  Let’s not be deceived, but “doers” ... God's people living boldly by faith.

Freedom Thieves

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:36). Sin’s enslavement and bondage, from which Jesus’ sacrifice set us free, is the subject of this truth.  Though still absolutely true, if not diligent in maintaining our faith, we can ever so gradually relinquish our freedom.  Many once zealous saints, weeping and lamenting, now frantically shake the bars of sin’s captivity, having been deceived into believing they are unable to break free.  However, by the power of God’s Word and Spirit within, they can once again step out into the sparkling sonlight of true freedom in Christ Jesus.  We are free indeed!

Although WE fall, His Word remains untarnished ... just waiting to be grasped by even a fingerling of faith. Verse nine of First John one declares: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive ... and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9). Quicker’n a lizard’s tongue, repentance springs the door of sin's captivity.  Guilt dissolves in the loving balm of divine forgiveness.  Mercifully, judicial liberty becomes a dynamic freedom.  Fellowship with God is restored; the joy of salvation returns as righteousness and Spirit pick up the reins of our life.  The sun is brighter and our feet lighter as they gratefully fall into step behind Jesus ... the Liberator and Guarantor of our souls.  His precious blood set we sin-bruised captives at liberty and we are now FREE in Him.  HAL-LAY-LOOO-YAH!!

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal 5:1).  Sin IS a biggie, but let’s be on guard for “... false brethren ... who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Gal 2:4).  Freedom is one thing tyrants and religionists hate.  They demand subservience, be it in the natural or spiritual realm.  We’ve often warned against their myriad ploys, ways and movements to entrap or lead seekers and believers astray (mystics, legalists, Judaizers, TBN, etc.).

Remember (though legalists would disagree) it’s NOT a matter of what we eat, drink, how we dress, groom or worship.  God always looks at the heart.  CAVEAT ... just so long as we worship God in Spirit and Truth and our liberty’s exercise does not cause another to stumble.  Moreover, that we do all, in love, to honor God and do NOT believe any worship practice or ritual will get us saved or win points with God (justified or sanctified).  “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days ... That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Col 2:16;Ro 8:4).  Let’s boldly live in the joyous power and liberty of the Holy Spirit and Cross of Christ.  We are FREE!
 

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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