The Prison of the Mind

I would like to share with you a vision I received one morning in prayer.

"I was walking down this corridor in a  State prison when suddenly one of the cell doors swung wide open. Inside the cell was a man sitting in a corner in a curled up position.  As I was thinking about entering the cell, the Lord appeared  in His long white robe and sandals. He went over to the man who was huddled in the corner of the cell and reached out his hand to help him up. But, when the man stood up, I noticed that there were three balls and chains still locked to his leg. He couldn't have walked out even if he wanted to.  The Lord bent down, and graciously unlocked the chains.  The man stepped out of the chains, took Jesus' hand and followed Him out of the prison."

I stood amazed and asked the Lord what He was trying to show me. He took me to Isaiah 61 where the Word says, "I have come to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to  proclaim the year of the LORD"S favor." That was it!

This man was born again, the door was open, but he was still sitting in a prison cell, chained to three balls. Now, I understood why the prison door was opened and why he could not leave.  It was the chains. He couldn't walk without dragging the balls and chains. Why didn't he realize that he had been set free from the chains too!

The Lord took me to Numbers 13, where the ten spies were sent out into Canaan.  When they came back, this was their report, "We came to the land which you sent us.  It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.  However, the people who dwell in the land are strong and the cities are fortified and very large. and beside we saw the Anak there. " As you read on, the eight spies tell a great tale of  unbelief and fear.  No way were they going to be able to fight in Canaan. There were giants in the land. They thought that God must be crazy to sent them in there.  Their questioning God cost them another forty years of wandering in the desert. They thought they knew MORE than God. They did not trust what He said to them.

"Lord, I asked, I still don't understand, why the chains?  If, the prison cell door is opened and the prisoner is free, why is he still sitting in his cell?  His answer was so clear and it broke His heart. " The three balls were FEAR, DOUBT AND UNBELIEF.  It is the same three sins that kept my people out of the Promised Land and wandering in the desert for forty years.  They just didn't believe what I told them.  Even in my own hometown, I could not perform many miracles because of their unbelief. It is a deception" (Mark 6:6). 

Now, it all made sense.  FEAR, DOUBT AND UNBELIEF  were  Satan's greatest weapon to keep the church from moving ahead.  The truth is Jesus is FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.  There is NO fear, doubt and unbelief in God and if we struggle with fear, doubt and unbelief, it is only in the PRISON OF our MIND.  It is a lie and Jesus meant what He said, "I HAVE COME TO SET THE PRISONER FREE!" Repent and believe the gospel. Everything we have ever desired,  we will find in Him.  He is more than enough to meet our deepest need. He alone is the ONLY ONE who can  release us from the prison of our mind.  He is our NEW LIFE,  full of hope and glory,  enabling us to cast off all fear, doubt and unbelief.  We too can become a Joshua or a Caleb. They believed God and lived to see the promised land. The prison doors are opened, the chains are unlocked.  We are free.  Come out in the Name of Jesus and be set free. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty."(2 Cor. 3:17)

My Pity Party

The following is a poem that I wrote, expressing my heart to the Lord, when I was feeling quite sorry for myself.  After the first four stanzas, the Lord, Himself, begins to speak to me.  He helps me to repent of self-pity, and opens my eyes to see that bitterness is its second cousin, and both are rooted in my pride. I am so grateful for the POWER OF THE CROSS that consumed all my sin. I don't have to feel sorry for myself anymore.  God's pity for me is enough. He saw me lying in my own blood and took me to the cross and said "LIVE"  Repentance now is FREEDOM from the bondage of self-pity. I have nothing to feel sorry about.  

Jesus really is the  only one who truly cares for our souls.  Sin  blinds us, but Jesus looked beyond our sin and saw our need.  He alone is our deliver and the LOVER OF OUR SOUL.

       My Pity Party

Self-pity shrouds a precious soul,         (all souls are precious to our
Shakes its fist, "forsaken soul!"                Lord)

Born for this! What a waste,
Spits its filth in God's face.

Ah, you say, a better plan?
Can I trust another hand.

Oh soul of mine, cast aside,
Does one care or hear my cry?




"My child, my child you walk alone,
bearing fruit that you have sown 

Some is wheat and other tares,
Bitterness, I do not share.

I knew the day that you were born,
Darkness, death, judgement gone.

Your eyes were dark, lost and blind,
Yet all I knew, you were mine.

Turn your eyes, again to me,
To know my heart's, gentle plea.

What offer does the world have more
Than what I have for you in store!

Oh, my child, my precious child,
Self-pity has had, you yet beguiled.

All your plans and idols gone,
I am writing a brand new song.

I bid you come and taste and see,
Forsake your plans and follow me.

My life in you is all you need,
To take control and let me lead.

All the years the locust stole,
Will be returned a hundred fold.

Through all the sorrow, grief and pain,
You will come to know my name!


D.J.S
1988

Affirming Who We Are in Christ

There are several  promises from the Word of God that reveal our true identity.  When we know these truths, we will no longer ask ourselves, "Who am I?"  Our search for our personal identity is fulfilled in the promises. The following are a few of the many promises, that we need to be confessing to affirm ourselves in Christ.

In Christ , we are a new creation.  The old things are gone, and all things have become new to us.

In Christ, we have been delivered from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light.

In Christ, we have access to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In Christ, we are complete.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"(John 14:6)  As we personalize this promise in prayer and affirmation, we say, "Jesus is MY way, MY truth, and MY life." This is a powerful faith building affirmation.

As we pray, it is important to lay claim to  our rightful inheritance as children of the King by reflecting on who Jesus is to us, individually and personally. For example, we would pray:  "Lord Jesus, you are my Shepherd.  I shall not want.  You lead me.           (  Psalms 23) You are my Good Shepherd. (John 10:14)  You are the door that opens an entirely new life for me. (John 10-9) You are my fortress, and my sure defense. (Psalms 89:18)

"You are my rock of refuge, my high tower, my shield, and my buckler. (Psalm 18:30) You are the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  You are the Word of life. (1John1:1) You are Immanuel--God with me. (Isa. 7:14)  You are my righteousness and my salvation; therefore, I have nothing to fear. (Psalm27:1)

I thank you that you are the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega. (Rev. 1:8)  You are the Sun of righteousness. (Mal. 4:2)  You are the fragrant rose of Sharon and the fairest of ten thousand.  You are the Lily of the Valley.( Song of Solomon 2:1) You are the bright and morning star. (Rev 22:16)  You are the light of the world, and in you there is NO darkness at all. (John 1:5)

"You are called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of peace. (Is. 9:6)   You are the Holy One of Israel, the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world.(Rev. 13:8)   At your name, every knee will bow and tongue confess that you are Lord to the glory of god the Father.  (Phil.2:10) You are the God in whom I live and move and have my being. (Acts 17:28)  You meet all my needs." (Phil 4:19) 

Our position in Christ enables us to lay claim to all of the promises of God. His indwelling presence in our  lives fulfills each of those promises to us.  Christ dwells within us, and we are truly complete in Him. (Col. 2:10).  It doesn't get any better than that !!