March 28th, our guide to victory. Have you ever tried to climb a mountain? Standing at the
base, peering at the peak can feel rather overwhelming. And doubts begin to trickle in. The mountain
top looks like an eternity away, but your trail guide assures you you can do this. They'll be there
to help. All you have to do is follow them. So you set out step by step behind your
guide as you zigzag your way up the mountain. Then you look up. While you were focused on your
leader, the peak drew closer and closer. And before you know it, you've reached the summit.
What an accomplishment. The destination almost scared you away until you learned to simply
follow your guide. And the same can be said for us as believers. There are many things we're called
to as Christians that in and of themselves will seem quite daunting. But by setting our sites
firmly on Christ, we can be sure we'll obtain victory over them. Today we'll meet Doug, a man
whose own discomfort nearly kept him from Christ. But he's here now to share with us his true story.
On this unshackled, daily devotional. When I was a teenager, dad was badly burned on a job and
while he was in the hospital, a man introduced him to Jesus. Every day they studied the Bible
together and dad received Christ before he came home from the hospital. Suddenly he realized
that pride is a sin. He tried to tell me about salvation, but I didn't want to let go of my
cigarettes and parties. After high school, I joined the Navy, finished electrician school and was
assigned to a communication ship. We sailed to the Mediterranean in 1973 where the Middle East
was about to explode in war. One day, we heard the signal for general quarters and I realized that
if I died, I'd go to hell. I had hardened my heart toward the Lord. I had dist-Christian music and
mocked believers because I thought I'd have to preach if I got saved. That night I dreamed I
went to hell and when I woke up, I was terrified. A sailor who loved the Lord explained that God
had a plan for my life and preaching wasn't necessarily in store for me. There in the noisy
engine room, I prayed, asking Christ to come into my heart in life. I was saved. It was easy for me
to give up cigarettes and alcohol. It was also easy to tell other guys about Jesus and I'm still
telling others about Christ. The author of Hebrews reminds believers in chapter 13 verse 21 that
God will make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well
pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ. Friend, this is our promise. Whatever formidable
task lies before us, God will equip us to achieve it. Doug rejected Christianity because he feared
the call of preaching and now he finds himself eagerly sharing his faith with others because his
focus has become firmly set on his guide, Jesus Christ. Will you receive this truth today?
Unshackled, the longest running audio drama in history airs on over 3000 radio stations worldwide.
This award-winning program grips the heart with compelling and relevant stories of transformed
lives. Without Jesus Christ, we are all shackled by sin, by our wrong choices, disobedience,
and selfish motives. But God is at work and the power of Christ sets us free of our bondage.
Listen to a new devotional every day and don't forget to tell your friends about unshackled daily
