Use Them or Lose It.

use it or lose itI’ve been asked, “Do I really have to use the tools (Set Free Nowww) each day? Can’t I just relax for one day?” My answer is not what they always want to hear. It’s something I learned from my AA friends. The moment you stop doing what got you free, is the moment you start heading back to your drug of choice.
The adage, “Use it or lose it,” is true. You stop using your biblical tools and you will lose your peace and joy. We love the first part of Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Oh how we love the truth that Jesus set us free. We even sing praise songs about it.
Yet for some reason we forget that we have a part to play in staying free from that point on. This truth is stated in the second half of that verse, “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burden again by a yoke of slavery.”
It’s our job to stand firm in the truth and to put up our shield of faith that contains specific lie fighting truths that put out our enemy’s darts (lies). You let your guard down and those darts will penetrate your brain and there goes your peace. Jesus didn’t say watch and pray so that you don’t enter temptation only on Sunday or when you feel like it.
We live in a war zone called planet earth, where the bullets (lies) will constantly fly as long as we live there. We’ll relax when we get home. Now is the time to pick up and use your tools each day wherever you go or lose you peace. Use them or lose it. It’s your choice.
“Set Free Nowww”

the power of A child of God.

power of oneA friend of mine wrote the following in regards to Jonah, who listened to and followed His God.
“Often we believers are hesitant to respond to God’s prompting, forgetting (or not trusting) that He alone sees the big picture. Our fears and hesitations, although understandable, are not reasons to disobey. If God is calling you to do something, do it! You never know how ready someone is to receive what you have to share, and the result can mean life from death.
“Please do not underestimate the power of one person acting in obedience to God’s call! God can work through us to accomplish His plan. One man’s obedience can bring life to those who were on the path towards death.”
An entire city of over 120,000 people was saved, literally and spiritually, because one man dared to listen to and share the story (yes it was reluctantly, but he did it!) the Almighty God had given him.
One child of God who dares to listen to and follow Jesus through filtering their daily life through the truths found in God’s Word can touch countless lives, literally and spiritually, for eternity. Get this. Jesus even tells us He will give us the words to say when we do (Matt. 10:18-20)! So keep listening and following Jesus everywhere you go.
“S”et Free Nowww

We Call Them Expectations

expectationsExpectations. They can never be met if they are never communicated. We call this frustration. They can sometimes be met even if they are clearly communicated. We call this disappointment.
Let’s be honest. We want our expectations met or we wouldn’t have them in the first place. When we start to feel bad because our expectations are not met, our enemy usually has our drugs of choice strategically placed right before us. The Bible calls this temptation.
Let me give you a victorious strategy. Ask the Spirit if your expectations, whether communicated or not, line up with Scripture. If not, they can never be met and you’ll be constantly tempted to deal with your frustration and disappointment your way (aka take your drug of choice). If your expectation is dependent upon anyone outside you and Jesus, you’ve set yourself up for failure. Imperfect human beings will meet your needs imperfectly. We call this hurt.
Want to stop hurting and start healing? Get into the Word of God for yourself to hear Jesus speak to you. Let Him tell you what to expect. Those expectations will be met. The Bible calls this victory.
“S”et Free Nowww

Control the Moment

the momentWe have a local high school female athlete who starred on two different sports teams that each won championships. In an article about her, the author stated, “Maintaining composure is the biggest lesson she took away from her volleyball team’s championship run, she said, ‘Even when things are going bad, you just have to stay calm and be aware of your surroundings.’”
There are moments in sports, as in life, where momentum appears to be slipping away from you and/or your team. You can either let your emotions go with the momentum or stay calm and try to reverse course.
It’s the same the believer in Christ. We all face moments where life seems to be getting out of control. If we let the moment control us rather than us staying in control of the moment, we will more than likely handle life with our drug of choice. Yet if we were to freeze frame our thoughts when those “out of control” moments arise, we’d realize we can reverse course through the Spirit’s power to do what Jesus would have us do at that moment.
Victory comes as we control the moment, not by letting it control us.
Set Free No“W”ww