Breath of God: Transformation, Deliverance, and Healing

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of God’s Breath Brings Transformation and Breakthrough

When God breathes, everything changes—His Spirit brings life, deliverance, and breakthrough into even the most hopeless situations. The breath of God is not limited by time, space, or circumstance; it can reach you wherever you are, whether in a sanctuary, a hospital room, or behind prison walls. When you invite the Holy Spirit to breathe on your circumstances, you open the door for miracles, healing, and a shift in your life that only God can orchestrate. Take a moment to ask God to breathe on the areas of your life that feel dry, broken, or stuck, and trust that His breath can bring newness and restoration. [24:20]

John 20:21-22 (NIV)
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels lifeless or stuck? Will you pause today and specifically ask God to breathe His Spirit into that place, expecting Him to bring transformation?

Day 2: Deliverance Disrupts Those Who Profit from Your Brokenness

When God brings deliverance, it often disrupts the systems and people who have benefited from your pain or bondage. Just as the young woman in Philippi was set free from the spirit of divination, her deliverance meant loss for those who exploited her. Sometimes, people around you may resist your healing because your freedom means they can no longer use or manipulate you. But whom the Son sets free is free indeed, and your breakthrough is not just for you—it can shift the entire atmosphere and bring liberation to others connected to you. [39:46]

Acts 16:16-18 (NIV)
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

Reflection: Is there a relationship or environment in your life where your healing or growth might disrupt the status quo? How can you courageously pursue your deliverance, even if it means disappointing those who benefit from your brokenness?

Day 3: We Must Acknowledge When We Have Wounded Others

It is easy to focus on the wounds we have received, but true spiritual maturity requires us to identify those we have wounded—intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes, we hurt people who did not deserve it, whether through our words, actions, or even our indifference. The call is to honestly reflect on the trail of pain we may have left behind, to stop hiding behind excuses, and to take responsibility for the harm we have caused. Only then can we begin the journey toward reconciliation and healing, both for ourselves and for those we have hurt. [58:17]

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Reflection: Who is one person you may have hurt—recently or long ago—who did not deserve it? Will you take time today to prayerfully acknowledge your part and consider how you might begin to make amends?

Day 4: Grace Means Extending to Others What We Desire for Ourselves

We often want grace and forgiveness for ourselves but are quick to demand justice or retribution for others. The story of the jailer shows how easy it is to dish out pain but be unwilling to receive it in return. True transformation happens when we recognize our own need for mercy and extend that same mercy to those we have wronged or who have wronged us. God calls us to break the cycle of hurt by responding with grace, not just seeking it for ourselves but offering it freely to others. [01:13:56]

Luke 6:36-37 (ESV)
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Reflection: Is there someone you have been withholding grace or forgiveness from, even as you desire it for yourself? What would it look like to extend mercy to them today?

Day 5: True Repentance Involves Making Amends and Seeking Reconciliation

Repentance is more than feeling sorry or seeking forgiveness from God; it involves taking concrete steps to heal the wounds we have caused. Like the jailer who washed the wounds of Paul and Silas and welcomed them into his home, we are called to take responsibility for our actions, seek forgiveness, and do what we can to restore what was broken. Sometimes reconciliation is possible, and sometimes peace comes simply from doing the inner work and putting things in God’s hands. Either way, God honors our efforts to make things right and brings joy and freedom to our lives. [01:25:32]

Romans 12:18 (ESV)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to make amends with someone you have hurt, whether through a conversation, an act of kindness, or a written note? Will you trust God to bring healing as you do your part?

Sermon Summary

When God breathes, everything changes. The breath of the Lord is not just a metaphor—it is the very power that brings deliverance, breakthrough, and transformation into our lives. Just as God breathed over the waters in creation and Jesus breathed on His disciples, the Holy Spirit is still breathing on us today, shifting circumstances and bringing new life where there was once brokenness. We are invited to ask God to breathe on every area of our lives—our concerns, our wounds, our situations—trusting that His Spirit can do what we cannot.

Turning to Acts 16, we see Paul and Silas, faithful in their mission, encountering opposition not because they did wrong, but because they were walking in purpose. Their deliverance of a young woman from a spirit of divination disrupted the systems that profited from her bondage, leading to their own suffering and imprisonment. Yet, even in chains, their praise and worship became a weapon, shaking the very foundations of the prison and setting not only themselves but everyone around them free. This is a reminder that our worship and faithfulness can have ripple effects, bringing freedom to others connected to us.

The focus then shifts to the jailer—called James in our story—who represents those of us who have caused wounds, sometimes without even realizing the depth of our actions. James wore his insecurities, his toxic environment, and his complicity in hurting others like accessories. When the tables turned and he faced the consequences of his actions, he was unable to bear what he had so easily inflicted on others. Yet, in his moment of crisis, he encountered grace. Paul’s refusal to let him harm himself, and the subsequent offer of salvation, reveal the heart of God: not just to deliver the victim, but to redeem the perpetrator.

True deliverance is not just about being set free from what binds us, but also about taking responsibility for the wounds we have caused. The jailer’s transformation was marked by his willingness to atone—he washed the wounds he helped inflict and welcomed those he once imprisoned into his home. This is the call for all of us: to identify those we have wounded, to seek forgiveness, and to participate in the healing process. God writes straight with crooked lines, using even our failures and brokenness to bring about His purpose and glory. As we embark on this journey of identifying the wounded, may we have the courage to do the inner work, trusting that God’s breath can bring reconciliation, peace, and true freedom.

Key Takeaways

1. The Breath of God Brings Transformation When God breathes, situations shift, and what seemed impossible becomes possible. The breath of the Lord is the Holy Spirit’s power to bring life, deliverance, and breakthrough into every area of our lives. We are called to invite God to breathe on our circumstances, trusting that His Spirit can do what our strength cannot. [24:20]
2. Deliverance Disrupts Systems That Profit from Brokenness When Paul and Silas delivered the young woman from the spirit of divination, it threatened those who benefited from her bondage. True deliverance often upsets the status quo, exposing those who profit from our pain. Sometimes, people resist our freedom because it challenges their comfort or control, but whom the Son sets free is free indeed. [39:46]
3. Praise and Worship Are Weapons That Set Others Free Paul and Silas’s worship in prison didn’t just liberate them—it broke the chains of everyone around them. Our praise has the power to shift atmospheres and bring freedom, not only for ourselves but for those connected to us. Sometimes, your worship is the catalyst for someone else’s breakthrough. [47:53]
4. Taking Responsibility for the Wounds We Cause Is Essential for True Healing The jailer’s story teaches us that it’s not enough to seek forgiveness from God; we must also seek to make amends with those we have hurt. True repentance involves acknowledging our role in others’ pain, taking steps to heal what we have broken, and not hiding behind spiritual excuses. Healing comes when we are willing to wash the wounds we helped inflict. [85:32]
5. God Writes Straight with Crooked Lines God’s purposes are accomplished even through our failures, detours, and brokenness. The journey to deliverance and reconciliation may not follow our plans, but God uses every circumstance—good and bad—to bring about His glory and our transformation. Trust that even the crooked lines of your story can become the path to healing and redemption. [75:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[24:20] - The Power of God’s Breath
[26:29] - Worship: Breathe and Rain on Us
[28:43] - God’s Breath Unites and Delivers
[30:26] - Introduction to Acts 16 and “Identify the Wounded”
[32:50] - The Story of James: Wearing Wounds Like Chains
[35:02] - The Cycle of Hurt and the Voice of Destiny
[36:21] - Paul and Silas’s Mission to Macedonia
[37:25] - The Spirit of Divination and Human Trafficking
[39:46] - Deliverance and Its Consequences
[43:11] - The Jailer’s Power and Insecurity
[47:53] - Praise That Shakes Chains
[52:08] - The Jailer Awakens: Facing Consequences
[54:24] - Hurting the Innocent: Identifying the Wounded
[67:54] - Unwilling to Take What We Dish Out
[73:56] - The Need for Deliverance and Grace
[79:04] - Atonement: Washing the Wounds We Caused
[88:08] - The Challenge: Identify and Heal the Wounded
[91:38] - Reconciliation, Peace, and God’s Justice
[96:43] - Christ, Healing, and the Call to Salvation
[104:22] - Announcements and Giving
[106:26] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 16:23-34 (ESV) —
> 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
> 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 16, what actions did the jailer take after realizing the prison doors were open, and how did Paul respond to him?
What did Paul and Silas do while they were in prison, and what was the result for everyone in the prison?
After the earthquake and the release of the prisoners, what steps did the jailer take toward Paul and Silas, and what did this show about his change of heart?
In the sermon, what was said about the systems and people who benefited from the young woman’s bondage, and what happened when she was delivered?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “When God breathes, situations shift, and what seemed impossible becomes possible.” How does the story of Paul and Silas in prison illustrate this truth?
The jailer was described as someone who wore his insecurities and toxic environment “like accessories.” What does this mean, and how did it affect the way he treated others?
The sermon points out that the jailer was “unafraid to traumatize somebody who wasn’t deserving” but “unwilling to take what he dished.” What does this reveal about human nature and our need for grace?
Why is it important, according to the sermon, not just to seek forgiveness from God but also to make amends with those we have hurt?

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to ask God to “breathe on every area of our lives.” What is one area of your life right now where you need God’s breath—His Spirit—to bring change or healing? How can you invite Him into that area this week?
Paul and Silas’s worship in prison set not only themselves but others free. Is there a situation in your life where your praise or faithfulness could impact someone else’s freedom or breakthrough? What would it look like to worship in the middle of your own “prison”?
The sermon asks us to “identify those we have wounded.” Take a moment to reflect: Is there someone you know you have hurt, whether intentionally or not? What is one step you can take this week toward making amends or starting a healing conversation?
The jailer washed the wounds he helped inflict. What would it look like for you to “wash the wounds” of someone you have hurt? Is there a practical action you can take to participate in their healing?
The sermon says, “God writes straight with crooked lines.” Can you think of a time when God used a failure, mistake, or painful situation in your life to bring about something good? How does this encourage you to trust Him with your current struggles?
Sometimes, as the sermon says, we hide behind spiritual excuses instead of taking responsibility for our actions. Are there any “spiritual excuses” you’ve used to avoid making things right with someone? What would it look like to move beyond excuses and take real responsibility?
The sermon mentions that sometimes reconciliation isn’t possible, but peace is. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to pursue peace, even if full reconciliation isn’t possible? What would that look like for you?

Sermon Clips

Sometimes when God shows up and God brings deliverance, sometimes deliverance is going to be problematic for the folk who benefited from your brokenness. There are some folk who don't want you delivered, because the moment that you're delivered, the moment you get a recognition of who you are, then they can't walk over you or use you like they used to. Some folk don't want you delivered, because as long as you're not delivered, you think less of yourself, and you give your body to clowns who don't deserve your time. Some folk don't want you delivered, because as long as you have money, you can buy the drink and buy the smoking, you can pay for all of the nefarious activities. Some folk don't want you delivered, because they benefit from your brokenness. But I came to tell you that whom the son sets free, oh y 'all gonna hold me for a moment, is free indeed. [00:41:36]

Some folks can't handle the anointing that's on your life. Some folks can't handle the breakthrough and the power that's on your life, because when you show up, gossip has to leave. When you show up, negativity and pressure and stress and anxiety has, and I speak over somebody's life, that when you go to work tomorrow, when you go to your meeting tomorrow, that this week your very presence is gonna shift the whole atmosphere of the room. I pray that wherever you go, the demons have to flee and tremble. I pray that wherever you show up, favor is gonna accompany your presence. [00:43:11]

Whenever praise and worship goes forth to God, praise can be your weapon. Y 'all got the brakes on, dude. But I came to tell you, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong. If you want to shift your situation, if you want to shift the mood and any occurrence in your life, I dare you to let the praises go forth. Because when praise goes up, not only do blessings come down, but the blesser can come down. He'll come into your situation when there's an invite, because he inhabits the praises of his people. [00:47:55]

When worship goes forth, whoo, they shook the foundations of that jail with praise, praising the Lord. And not only did their bonds fall off, whoo, but every jailer who was in proximity, the ones who weren't even praising with them, y 'all, it went over your head. Only Paul and Silas praised in worship, but everybody connected had their handcuffs to fall off. See, sometimes you ain't just worshiping for you, but you're worshiping for those who are connected to you. [00:49:21]

You'll be surprised if you shout hallelujah right now. Or shackles from the person who's sitting next to you, who ain't even open their mouth, their shackles could fall off because of your praying. [00:49:55]

Sometimes folk don't have the faith to praise him in the advance. Sometimes folk don't have the praise or the faith to be delivered, but through your praise, through your worship, y 'all still got the brakes on, do we? [00:50:38]

James had been wearing his chains. They had been wearing James' chains. But because of praise of Paul and Silas, everyone's chains came loose. And now their chains are loosed. But James' chains are still fashioned. [00:52:05]

Isn't it strange that some folk don't wake up until after somebody else has been delivered? [00:52:55]

Often the sign that you are in purpose is when trouble follows your pursuit of what God has called you to do. Now, sometimes we think the demonic being active is because of things that we've wrought in our lives. But the devil never chases those who he already owns. [00:55:15]

How many folk have you hurt that didn't deserve it? Fellas, how many lies did you tell to a young lady who was truthful to you? Why didn't you come and put your agenda on the table from the beginning and give her the option to decide whether or not you were worth her time? Why? I heard somebody ain't never heard say amen before. Why would you hurt somebody? Not because you're defending yourself. Not because you're trying to protect, but just willingly take and wound somebody that didn't deserve it. [00:58:26]

A bad day doesn't give you permission to just mishandle and mistreat folk and call yourself a child of God. Y 'all got the brakes don't do it. I'm talking better than y 'all letting on at this Presbyterian service. Sometimes we have wounded people who had no, who did not deserve. And you get what you want, you take from the moment and your own narcissism or sense of pride or sense of self -aggrandizement and you think you moved on. And you moved on but the trail of damage, the bodies that are still warm, the bones that are still warm underneath your bed or in your closet. [01:00:25]

People have been beat up by life, they come to church and don't have on the right attire and you look at them like they're less than. They've already been beat up by life. and they come out and I'll be and we're like Hamm Yeejob shouldn't be to traumatize somebody who's already gone through hell. Come on, this house shall be called. A place of restoration. A place where the broken arm made whole healing waters flow. [01:02:17]

Be careful how you treat people. Be careful how you speak to people in church. It took somebody everything they had just to be in this room this morning. [01:02:38]

He was unwilling to take what he dished. Guess what happened so when they brought Paul and Silas into into jail after casting the spirit out of that girl they beat him with many stripes they gave him to James now James made it worse because at least they could move before they got to James James put their feet in stocks that's worse than handcuffs a stock with a chain that some say had two to three feet of mobility so you've been beat up and now your feet are stock iron clad where you can't even move and some say there was no room between them so now you've limited the mobility of people who've already been beat up by life huh threw them in the innermost part of the cell because it makes you feel powerful. [01:05:10]

But when God shows up and after they praise God and the earthquake came and the chains were loose guess who the first person who woke up James the jailer burning fire y 'all so funny y 'all you got the message they woke up and James sees the ones that he had just put in stocks and in jail now look at verse 27 it's really deep it says and the keeper of the prison the jailer James burning fire awakened out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open guess the first thing he did drew his sword and would have killed himself. [01:06:08]

But my point is, well, that's how you can feel when you haven't dealt with the reality of what you did. And until we deal with the reality, who have we dished out pain to and have left that unresolved? [01:12:17]

He understood the need for deliverance. Guess what happened? When he saw them, he didn't want to take their place, that code of Justinian. So guess what he did? He drew his sword, getting ready to kill himself. And before he killed himself, this is when you know Paul got the Holy Ghost. The Bible says in the NIV, the jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prison had escaped. But Paul shot it. what did Paul shout? Do yourself no harm. traumatized him that Paul knew through the Roman law what he was thinking. Paul says, don't hurt yourself. [01:12:54]

The problem with us is we want grace for ourselves. But give law to everybody else. [01:14:21]

Sometimes the crisis ain't about you. Sometimes the crisis is about God getting glory. Sometimes God can use your situation, your circumstance, your discomfort, you being uncomfortable for an opportunity for him to get glory. [01:14:58]

God always writes straight but sometimes he uses crooked lines. Paul, you went to Macedonia to see folks straight. Get people saved. Paul, you went to Macedonia so somebody can be delivered. That's why you went there. I'm going to write straight but I'm going to use the crooked lines of the girl with the spirit of divination. I'm going to use the crooked lines of her owners beating you up. I'm going to use the crooked lines of you being thrown in the jail with the jailer. I'm going to use the crooked lines of the earthquake to bring you to a jailer so the first person that gets saved in Philippi under your ministry is going to be somebody who once was just like you. [01:16:04]

All things work together for good to them not who has everything in order to them but not who things go one, two, three but for them who love the Lord and those who are called according to his purpose. Paul is called according to his purpose so guess what all things got to work together for good. [01:17:41]

He was unashamed to atone for his deeds. Yeah. Yeah. He had to atone for his deeds. What you mean, dude? Our thing for this month is what? Identify the wounded. Our service is redacted, right? We got to make a list of the people that we have hurt. He knew he caused hurt. Now, see, a lot of us will do. We get saved because I'm saved. We forget about what we hurt. Oh, that's under the blood now. It's old, man. Old things have passed away. Yeah. Old things have passed away. But the consequences of your actions. Just because you knew don't mean that the wound that you caused, it's still old. [01:19:34]

You can't use cavalry as an excuse. To absolve you or the reality of the folk that you legitimately, stop hiding behind the cross. Yeah, you got the blood. Yeah, you got favor. But you also still need to seek forgiveness. Y 'all got brakes on to do it here. Yeah, you still need to make amends. [01:20:41]

He took them and washed their wounds. The wounds that he was complicit in causing. Now he had to take responsibility for helping to heal. The pain for which he was partially responsible. He don't say, well, you know, it had to do with them. It was my supervisor. You know, it was just, you know, no, He don't blame it on his daddy's absence. He don't blame it on the man. He takes personal responsibility. [01:25:06]

A lot of us want to be baptized when folks still believe. At least let me put some Neosporin and some Band -Aids on what I cause and then go get baptized. Oh, God. Y 'all with me? [01:26:31]

What do you do to the people you wounded? You got to make a list. You got to realize who it is you hurt. Now, I want you to sit with that this month. Now, next month is when the real work gets started because next month, the theme is the wounded healer. [01:28:08]

Some folk you ain't talked to in years who genuinely loved you and you love them, but because of immaturity, pride, sin, the need for growth, some relationships have not been reconciled. In the next 38 days, some of you are going to pick back up with folk like you never took a break. [01:30:42]

We love to talk about what they did to us. And what they did to us, what they said, how they handled us, was wrong. But God's going to be judging you. That's not my concern. Our response, if they did evil and we responded with evil, there's no justification for your response to evil. You don't be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good. [01:31:46]

Your blessings don't come based upon how they handle you or how they gossip. Your blessings come based upon you putting it in God's hands. Vengeance is healed. Let him, and I'm telling you, if you get this revelation, there's some things you've been praying for. God's going to save it. He's going to open the lid. He's going to take the lid off and going to blow your mind with provisions that are coming in your life because you were willing to do the inner work and put them and it in the hands of God. [01:32:11]

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