Free indeed

All of life consists of seasons. We can see this in nature, we can see it in our own personal lives. There will always be ups and downs, times of joy and times of sorrow. Times of growth and fruit bearing and times where everything seems to be standing still. It doesn't really matter what time we find ourselves in, as long as we keep looking ahead, expecting a new season to come.

One of the highlights in Jesus' life here on earth was his baptism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Him. He received the words that every son needs to hear from his father: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). After this Jesus entered a very difficult time in his life, He was tempted by the devil... not for an hour or a day, but for forty days! But He kept his eyes on the Word and on his Father and this resulted in the fact that He came out of this dark period 'in the power of the Spirit' (Luke 4:14). He entered a new phase, a new season in his life. In the local synagogue Jesus announced the work He came to do (Luke 4:18-19):

• to preach good news to the poor
• to proclaim freedom to the prisoners
• to proclaim recovery of sight for the blind
• to release the oppressed, and
• to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

This past week we had the opportunity to visit and minister in Kiev (Ukraine) where these words of Jesus are being fulfilled every day! Many broken lives, torn apart by addiction, fear, anger and crime, are being healed and set free by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus still works today (through our hands) to touch people and set them free. The two men in the picture are Maksim and Gena. After 16 years of addiction to hard drugs they have found new life in Jesus Christ. Finally the sun began to shine in their lives, they have reason to laugh, to have fun together. We were greatly touched by their testimonies.

The words of Jesus are still truth. They are alive and powerful. I do not know what has kept you imprisoned or oppressed. Maybe it is a disease, fear or anger, maybe depression or an addiction. Please, remember the words and works of Jesus. He desires to set you free, that is His ministry up to today! If the Son set you free, you are free indeed (John 6:38).