Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. A bondservant doesn't live in the house forever. A son remains forever. If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.' John 8:34 WEB

As I dropped the luggage in the hotel lobby, it echoed through the room. After lugging it all nearly a mile in the August heat, I was exhausted. As it turned out, we were guests at the hotel and should have been parked near the front door, but the parking lot attendant had mistakenly made us park in the farthest lot because he thought that we were part of a conference, and did not realize that we were guests of the hotel.

In times not so long ago, people would load such baggage onto a pack horse or donkey, called a beast of burden, and it would carry the load for them. The beast had no choice in the matter but had to carry whatever was put on its back.

The enemy will saddle you up with your past baggage and still take you out for a ride if you let him. We are all sinners and one sin is as bad as the other. Remember this, remember that, and soon all the bad things that you have ever been involved in will settle right down on you. Before long you will begin to question what you are even doing here, thinking, "Look at all that I have done. God could never love someone like me."

Don't become a beast of burden and start carrying the enemy's luggage around for him. You will just become exhausted and bitter. Take it to the Lord in prayer and leave your past, in the past where it belongs. You are an honored guest of the Father and do not have to lug around the baggage from the past.

Prayer: Heavenly Father I am laying my past mistakes down at Your feet. This is a new day and I will not be a beast of burden any longer. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus and my past, is now in my past. Help me to become steadfast and to guard my thought life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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