Scripture Text: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1 (KJV)

Have you ever been in Jail? I haven't but I have known those who would do anything to be free once again. I remember visiting a man in a jailhouse one time and he of course was crying and said over and over how innocent he was of the crime he had been accused of. I mentioned it to the jailer and I said, "Are you sure you have the right guy here?" "He is crying and says he is innocent of the charges against him". The Jailer responded very coldly by saying, "That's what they all say".

Many of us choose to live in prisons of our own making. Some live in a world of legalism ad others live in a world of works. On the other side of the coin we have those that live in the prisons of lack and poverty because they will not work or they will not grab hold of opportunities afforded them; and I want to be careful to point out here that I am not speaking of those who are truly poor and destitute, and cannot take advantage of work opportunities.

The goal here of course, is to not walk in the flesh but to walk in the Spirit, and I think it is good to remind you of the points brought out in the last two devotionals and give you the promises of God for those who walk in the Spirit. Remember the three "ifs"...

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

Here's what is promised ....

"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."

In other words you will not only know His will but you will have His wisdom in how to carry it out.

Next, You will be named among "the righteous", and to them that walk uprightly, the word says He is their buckler. (vs.7) Not only that but your pathway or your journey in life shall be kept and preserved. He says, "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: (vs. 11-15)

Lastly,

"... the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it." (Vs 21)

and look what it says about those who walk in the flesh.

"But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it." (Vs 22)

You see, it goes back to those words found in our text today -

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1 (KJV)

To someone who is prison - that's a good word! So, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Be RELEASED IN JESUS' NAME! Let Him take control of your life today.

Let's pray: Father there are so many things that I just haven't turned over to you yet. I honestly thought I could handle them on my own. I can see now that they were only strongholds of the flesh that have mislead me and taken me down pathways that are not of your direction. Lead me to the paths of righteousness today, and everyday. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.