I had to ask my Bible Impact partner’s forgiveness this morning. He stopped me as I was sharing how I was processing that one area of my life (1 of 4 P’s asked in BIG) the Spirit wants to change (Yes, I am in a BIG). I was sharing how my mind was being slammed real hard since we last met. He asked, “Why didn’t you call or text me? In fact, did you call or text anyone?”
I had to drop my head and say, “No. Will you forgive me?” Of course he did, but God drove the point home. What part of James 5:16 don’t I believe? If I want my life to be changed, the Holy Spirit can do it all by Himself. Yet, it is the same Spirit of God who had James write the truth that I will be healed as other believers pray for me. The last W or Walk with other believers is a crucial part of the life-change process.
I violated that principle and paid the price of fighting discouragement and with it the temptation of my drug of choice longer than I had to. It’s our choice – yours and mine – how long the battle for freedom will be waged.
It’s been said that we can walk faster alone, but we can walk further with others. There is tremendous power in people praying empowered by the Spirit.
Set Free Noww“W”

I received an email yesterday from someone wanting help. I wasn’t sure how to respond to it. This morning I was battling discouragement and didn’t really want to go on my prayer walk. Talking with God was the last thing I wanted to do at that time. Besides, it was dreary overcast day that only added to the downer. I went anyways by Exercising the truth.
As I was out, I got a sense that I should cut my walk short. I filtered this thought and instantly recognized that it couldn’t be from Jesus. He wanted to talk to me. Why would He want to cut it short? Instead of turning left toward home, I exercised the truth by turning right and kept walking.
After about a half mile I noticed a line of cars parked on a dirt road. I then remembered it was the day a local church hands out food to those in need. As I know the pastor I stopped by to encourage him. As I saw the line of cars it hit me. This pastor could meet the need of the person who emailed me. Immediately I emailed the pastor’s number to the person wanting help.
Guess what? I just did the “good work” Jesus created me to do (Eph. 2:10)! Exercising the truth by faith to use my biblical filter so I could hear Jesus’ voice and do what He created me to do brightened up a very gloomy day.
Set Fre“E” Nowww

We all will have bad days in the process of allowing the Spirit to retrain our brains. One of the tools God has given us to process through those days is to start praising our great and awesome God. (Notice I didn’t say get over them. Getting over them can imply ignoring what you think and feel, which only pushes them down to erupt later.)
Psalm 98:1 states, “Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.” This is where music can play an integral part in overcoming your drug of choice. I can’t count the number of times I’ve sung a song that our Worship Team sang on Sunday to refocus my thoughts.
Instead of focusing on my challenge, which drives me to my drug choice, I focus on my God who has given me victory in the past (“marvelous things”) and who is able to give me victory today (“His right hand and His holy arm”). By doing this, I’m refocusing my brain on the One who will get me through my current challenge.
What you focus on can either bring peace or turmoil to your heart and mind. You can either head south by focusing on your challenge or you can power forward by praising your God and filling your mind with truths of victory. There is tremendous power in praise.

Set Free No“w”ww

Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.
Watch your actions, they become your habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
What words will you use on yourself today? With others? You can make a difference today.

S“E”t Free Nowww

Today in the US we’re celebrating Veteran’s Day. It’s a time for Americans to thank those who have served our country in the military, some having paid the ultimate price, to keep us free.
As Paul told the Thessalonians (5:18), we should give continual thanks for and to our Freedom Fighter who not only paid the ultimate price to set us free, but who is also alive today to help us stay free.
“S“et Free Nowww