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Fetters of life

By Rick Warren.

There's a great story in Acts 16 where Paul and Silas, two of the first Christians, are thrown in prison. In a dark, dank jail at midnight they decide to start thanking God. They start singing and praising God - and God does a miracle. He sends an earthquake that rattles all the jail doors loose. The jailer says, "I'm going to kill myself because all the prisoners are loose now."

Paul says, "No, we're all here."
The jailer says, "What kind of prisoners are you?"
"Christians," Paul says.

So the jailer takes Paul and Silas to his home and Paul tells them about Christ. That night the jailer's whole family accepts the Lord.

Paul and Silas's prison doors were unlocked when they began to praise and thank God. What prison are you in? An emotional prison? A financial prison? A relational prison?

Are you locked up with fear, worry and uncertainty?
Are you locked up with guilt?
Are you locked up with discouragement and disappointment?
Are you locked up with hopelessness?
Are you locked up in a habit that you can't break loose from?
Anger, resentment and conflict?

Whatever it is, start thanking God. And watch the prison doors open wide.


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