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"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1). (This was also quoted by Jesus when he began His ministry in Luke 4:18,19).

Today we share the story about a couple whose heart, mind and very life were unshackled. They experienced freedom from the captivity of sin and deliverance from the domain of darkness.

We first met John Rigard when he was a brand new believer in the early 80’s. As a marine, years earlier he had came back from Vietnam a broken man. He was divorced and his life included that of alcoholism, drugs and dissipation prior to his conversion to Christ. The father of two, he had lost his wife and children's respect and devotion due to his abuse.

He was an 18 wheeler truck driver and in his desperation had decided to end his life by driving his truck loaded with steel off the I-80 bridge over the Allegheny River, the highest bridge on I-80 east of the Mississippi River (photo on left, look carefully and you can see the trucks on the bridge). But he went into a mental fog and his next recollection was that of telling his boss he needed some time off. He then went knocking on the door of a pastor’s home in Brockway, PA, who led him to faith in Christ.

After he got saved John planted his roots in our local church in Saint Marys, PA where he lived and, like all of us in one way or another, he had some rough spots. Actually he had a lot of them. But genuine conversion results in transformation, which in one sense is immediate and in another sense is gradual.

He had a deep desire to be reconciled to his wife, but the situation looked hopeless, as she was in another relationship and seemed to have no interest in him nor the things of the Lord.

John worked in our boy’s scouting program (Royal Rangers) and grew spiritually from his interface with other male leaders in the ministry. In the photo to the right John is dressed as a frontiersman. This ministry was so beneficial in steadying him through the tumultuous early years of his walk with Christ. The church regularly prayed for him and for the reconciliation with his wife he so deeply desired.

Lo and behold, after several years Rose, his former wife, also placed her faith in Christ and broke off the relationship she was in. I had the great privilege of reuniting John and Rose in marriage and what a wonderful ceremony it was. Best of all a solid, happy union followed as we counted each year that passed.

That was some 40 years ago and their marriage was strong and enduring till John passed away about twenty years ago. We drove up to visit John and Rose shortly before he died. Though very weak in body, he was strong in his spirit as he expressed a steady resolve to follow Christ to the very end. Rose is now with the Lord as well.

Their testimony was featured on the national radio drama program “Unshackled” in the early 90’s and was actually broadcast in two separate episodes with John and Rose each sharing their story. At this point the program is not available to stream online but we requested and they sent us an .mp3 of each testimony. It was such a blessing to hear their stories again after so many years. I am even in the story as their pastor!

Here’s our encouragement to you today. More than a few times in those early years of ministry we wondered if John would make it. Coming out of the world as he did he was very unstable. But John and Rose both experienced an element in Christ's ministry, "to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners".

The same is true for all of us who have committed ourselves to Christ and for those to whom we minister. Some of you are discouraged today either due to the pace of the spiritual progress in your own life or that of someone to whom you are reaching. Don’t give up, press on, stay faithful, and claim this promise! Jesus continues to offer freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:   Father, thank You for making the gift of salvation available to whosoever believes. You continue your ministry of loosening the shackles that bind us to sin. When we call on Your name You set our souls free from the sin laden chains that bind and enslave us. We are no longer held captive to sin but we are now joint heirs with Christ. Our pilgrimage is long and the way is rugged; there are times when we become discouraged and even want to give up. But we press on by keeping our eyes on the prize of the high calling we have in Christ Jesus. Keep us hungering and thirsting for more of You so that we remain steady in our Christian walk and undeterred by the daily temptations and hindrances the devil hurls at us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.