“If the son therefore shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

I couldn’t help but notice the word “indeed” at the end of this scripture recently. I’ve read it before many times but all of a sudden that word just jumped out at me. It seemed like an unnecessary addition. But then the words were in red in my Bible which means they were spoken by Jesus himself. That tells me that it has significant meaning because I believe every word He spoke holds great value. So then why would he add this particular adverb to an already profound statement?

I looked up the meaning of the word indeed and rejoiced in what I found.

Indeed – adv. In fact, in reality, in truth…

What that says to me is that when Jesus sets us free, we are not only free in the spiritual sense, but in reality – right here and now on earth!

Bondages that hold Christians have no real authority over us. It is up to us to walk in the freedom He has already obtained for us! When we accept Jesus as our Lord and saviour, our prison doors are opened. Why then do so many Christians continue to live in bondage?

Two reasons come to mind – we are either unaware that we are enslaved or we have not experienced the revelation that we are in fact free! The enemy will use any tool he can to try to keep you under his control. The fact is, society has blinded our eyes to many sins that we don’t even realize what a true life of victory is most of the time. We expect and accept the problems of today as just a way of life – depression, oppression, sickness, jealousy, strife, addictions. These were never intended to control a Christian.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

If you do not realize that something has a hold on your life and your mind, then you can not see the need for change. That is why it is so important to read the word of God. It opens our eyes to God’s will for us.

“For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

Our continual prayer should be that God would reveal to us any areas of bondage in our lives. I remember the personal victory I experienced over the bondage of fear years ago. I had no idea that living in a constant state of worry and fear was a prison! I still have my moments of worry but it no longer controls my life the way it did. It got to the point that every time my husband or son was out of my sight, there was a gripping panic inside that I may never see them again. I was saved for years before I realized I was being controlled by this mindset! Again – we can’t accept the deliverance until we see the need to be free! I am not trying to downplay or oversimplify the struggles that we face as Christians, but it is so important to realize the authority that God has given us over the enemy and learn to walk in it! It will take effort on our part to experience the deliverance, but the victory is ours for the taking!

Think of it in terms of an actual prison – Jesus has already unlocked the door to your cell, but he’s not going to drag you out. You have to walk out on your own. That walk will be easier for some than others. But, to continue to stay imprisoned just because the journey out the door seems too difficult is exactly what the enemy wants. If he can overwhelm you with the thought of the struggle, you won’t be able to see God’s grace to get you through to the other side. And God tells us in His word that His grace is sufficient! He also tells us “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

So, as long as we are willing to get up and walk out that door, He will be with us to help every step of the way! Your freedom is precious – so precious that God sent His only son to die up

-you know the janitors by name.

-your roommates say "good morning," and you reply "good night."

-you carry a toothbrush in your backpack.

-you have three to four changes of clothing for those fortnightly showers.

-you wash your underwear in the shower.

-your locker is your wardrobe.

-you scab food off all your friends coz you spent all your money on printing.

-you scab food.

-someone asks you for your phone number and you give them the studios.

-you start paying rent for your desk space in studio.

-you total up 3 meals of the day into your breakfast.

-'Red Bull' is your favorite drink.

-instant noodles? mi-goreng in particular?

-all of the Christmas gifts you give are wrapped in trace.

-you ask Santa Clause for architecture supplies.

-you ask Santa Clause for a sleeping bag.

-after all of your expenses, you can't afford to pay attention

-you have 3 or more cups of double shot coffee espressos in one night

-you hear the same song on the radio 3 or more times in one night.

-you know the different taste between UHU and Pritt glue

- you can stay alive without sunlight, communicate with people nor having foods but you would commit suicide if the plotter doesn't plot your work out

-the only sleep you get is in your G. E. classes.

-construction workers are already working.

-you've lost your house key and u realized week later

-you sleep more than 16 hrs at weekends

-u dance madly at 3AM though u aren't drunk

-you note something with your drafting pen

-you are an expert at Photoshop, Illustrator and Auto CAD
but u don't know how to use MS excel

-you've got 2 subjects per day but u got to study them the whole day

-you spend more time in the studio than in your own bed.

-your parents are complaining that you're not having enough fun.

-you only leave the studio to buy supplies.

-you haven't taken a shower in a week.

-you see showering as a waste of time.

-you've started dreaming of your models.

-upon hearing 'supermodel', you think of a nicely crafted-foam core model.

-your parents have more of a social life than you.

-your 14-year-old brother has more of a social life than you.

-you consider using broccoli for your models.

-you enjoy hanging out at the 'Home and Garden Fair'.

-you know all the 24-hour food places in the area.

-your friends get more sleep in one night than you do in one week.

-the streetlights turn off.

-you consider 3AM an early night.

-when you are out at 3AM, and people know where you're at.

-everything you eat comes in single serving baggies.

-the idea of a 24 hour 'Kinko's' make's perfect sense.

-smoking sounds appealing.

-you're out on Friday nights in the drawing studio.

-the only building on campus with its lights on is your studios'.

-you say "It's only midnight- I have plenty of time to finish."

-you confuse sunrise with sunset.

-you ask what time it is, then ask "AM or PM?"

-you strangle your roommate because she said she stayed up late studying.

-your Friday night is 68 hours long.

-you know how much a cubic foot of concrete weighs (150lbs).

-you slice your finger, and the first thing you think of is if you'll be able to finish your model.

-you understand why architects have glasses and white hair.

-you call some great architects as if they are you friends.
err... Frank... Tadao.

-you swear there are only 120 people at USC.

-you know all of these are true, no exaggerations.

-you can listen to all your CD's in one night.

-certain songs remind you of the studio.

-you change the style of music to country coz u r fed up with POP

-your sister's favorite brand names are Prada, DNKY etc... but yours are
Mastex, Staedtler, pentel, rotring

-you dare not to have a gf/bf coz no one can accept u for what u are... a social dud

-you can conceptually compose the food on your plate.

-y

Just got this off a friend. Oprah's New-age movement that's quickly causing a stir! Watch the video through the link below as soon as..... Christians everywhere need to mobilize against this dark force. Pray & intercede for the lost and confused that they don't fall victim to the lies of the evil one! Stay blessed all!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA