Chains...

This weekend I am a Chaperone/Small Group Leader for our Youth's Girls Retreat. The theme for the weekend is Chained. It will both be focused on breaking our chains to this world and then in turn being chained to Christ.

 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Phillippians 1:12-14

Paul spoke in Phillippians about how he was chained to Christ and because of this he was able to bring others to Christ. What difference could we make if we truly broke our chains to this world and to sin and fully let ourselves be chained to Christ... We could experience true freedom for ourselves but just imagine what effect we would have on others.

My sweet husband is helping one of our friends lead worship for the retreat this weekend and the theme song per say is "Holding Nothing Back." This song proclaims very empowering lyrics about us not letting anything keep up from being fully a child of God and living fully for him. Let these words speak to you today...

I am chosen, I am free
I am Living for eternity
Free now forever

You picked me up, turned me around
You set my feet on solid ground
Yours now forever

And nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back

My chains fell off
My heart was free
I’m alive to live for you
I’m alive to live for you
Amazing Love, how can it be?
You give everything for me
You give everything for me

You washed my sin and shame away
The slate is clean: a brand new day,
Free now forever

Now boldly I approach your throne
To claim this crown through christ my own
Yours now forever

And nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back
Nothing’s gonna hold me back

My chains fell off
My heart was free
I’m alive to live for you
I’m alive to live for you
Amazing Love, how can it be?
You give everything for me
You give everything for me

I’m free to live
Free to give
Free to be
I’m free to love you