The Prison Yard is a piece of enclosed ground attached to a prison, where prisoners may take exercise at certain times. People are forced to serve their time in prison. They are miserable.
When I was told as a kid to go outside play in the yard it wasn’t punishment, it was fun. It’s where the neighborhood kids played football and cook outs happened. The yard was the best place to be.
The difference between the Prison Yard and the Front Yard is
Who stole your joy?
John 10:10 (HCSB)
10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
John 10:10 (AMP)
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
2 Choices:
- You stole your own joy by allowing others and circumstances to dictate your self esteem.
- You allowed the presence of Satan in your life to steal, kill, & destroy your joy.
How do you get your joy back in your marriage, your family, your job, for your church, and your Lord?
You gotta
You have to Serve Them and you have to have the Right Motivation when you do it.
Why is serving important?
Matthew 20:20-28 (HCSB)
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something.
21 “What do you want?” He asked her. “Promise,” she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to Him.
23 He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
24 When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them.
26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave;
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
Listen this is very importation: Jesus is teaching the Disciples how to be a leader and gain authority in their life.
If you want authority in your marriage, family, work, in church than serve them.
Jesus is giving you a KEY to change your whole life right now!
- When you have gained authority this means you can look to yourself, I am not going to allow others and circumstances to dictate my self esteem!
My self esteem is not defined by others or by circumstances it is defined by my relationship with Jesus Christ!
- When you have gained authority this means you can stop allowing the presence of Satan in your life to steal, kill, & destroy your joy.
You look at the Devil and tell him to get behind you, that he has no hold on you, that you are the child of the King. He cannot have your joy!
What is your motivation for serving?
The Wrong Motivation can be Disastrous
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (HCSB)
47 Because you didn’t serve the LORD your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything,
48 you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you, in famine, thirst, nakedness, and a lack of everything. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.
Why do people serve?
- Some people serve so that you will appreciate what they do. Look at me. You need me. You can’t do this without me. If you think you are irreplaceable your are mistaken.
- Some people serve because they feel obligated. Its a job. Its a prison sentence.
- Some people serve as an act of love for Jesus and for others. They serve you because they love you.
Colossians 3:17 (AMP)
17 And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17 (HCSB)
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.