My brother John is behind bars.  Is he a prisoner? 

Is it possible that there are two types of prisons?  One behind bars and one without bars?

Though not confined behind the bars of a correctional institute, many may find themselves in a prison in their life…a prison of selfishness, laziness, alcohol, drugs, etc.  I believe many are in internal prisons, barred up in the thoughts of their minds, unable to escape.  And though from the outside, it may seem that life if fine…they suffer in an inward turmoil.  Is this prison not sometimes more confining than the the state of a prison with bars, security & fences?    

There is a way of escape to true freedom that surpasses anything that man could possibly strum up.  There is a freedom from self that is so freeing like a weight that has been lifted off the shoulders! 

This freedom can only be found by accepting the One who gave His life for each one of us that we could find and know eternal life through Him, Jesus.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:32, 36 NKJV

Please hear my heart, as I speak from one who knows a family member behind bars, as well as myself who was once a prisoner to darkness.  I understand and know that true freedom can be found in Christ. 

Here is part of a letter I received from my brother John today.  John told me that Jesus is his best friend, who truly understands him (as of April 2013).  I feel his experience will reveal that, though he is still behind bars, he is a free man.

You know, before I came to the Lord, I thought I knew everything there was to know, and had all the answers.  Well, the Lord proved me wrong and I am so glad for that because the Lord teaches me something new every day.  And what’s so good about it is He teaches me things about myself whether they are good or bad.  That’s what I like about the Lord is He doesn’t hold anything back because He wants us to learn everything we can about Him.

Do you want to know this freedom – the freedom to be and know the real you?  You can!  It is found in a relationship with the One who created you. Accept that He paid the price on the cross for your sins, and allow Him to come into your heart and set you free from the prison cell!  It is said in scripture about Jesus…

The Lord has anointed me to tell the good news to poor people.  He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts have been broken.  He has sent me to announce freedom for those who have been captured.  He wants me to set prisoners free from their dark prisons.  

Isaiah 61:1 NIRV