God’s Hope for Your Heart from Mark 5
Jesus wants lasting freedom for you
When Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. (Mark 5:2-4)
This man was strong. He had overcome obstacles before. He had broken out of bondage before. He had gotten out of his chains before… But he was not really free at all.
Only when Jesus came was the man truly released from his captivity, because only Jesus brings real and lasting freedom.
Maybe you feel strong on your own. Maybe you can look at the struggles you’ve overcome and the chains you’ve broken out of and feel pretty good about yourself.
But maybe you’re not really free at all.
You see, a heart that leans on its own ability to change is a heart that may have temporary success, but will never experience the true freedom that God desires for His children. Not only that, but when you feel as if you can “handle it” in your own strength, you set yourself up for one of two terrible outcomes: arrogance if you succeed, and despair if you fail.
Jesus wants more for you than that!
When you’re willing to let go of your own strength, admit your need for help and lean fully on the power of God, that’s when you will discover lasting success.
Don’t settle for short-term solutions to the problems of your life. Trust Jesus, and ask Him for the clarity to see where you’re trusting in yourself, the humility to admit your need for God’s help, and the faith to act on the truth instead of just giving it lip service. When you do, you’ll find hope in this truth: Jesus wants lasting freedom for you.
-Pastor Phillip
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