I recently went indoor shooting with a few law enforcement friends. As I was shooting, I noticed that I consistently missed to the lower left of the target. It didn’t matter what I did to correct it either. I still missed in the same general area.
After repeatedly doing this, I asked one of friends to watch me while I shot a few rounds. They quickly noticed the problem. They told me I wasn’t gripping my weapon tight enough. The force of the projectile was moving the weapon in my hand; thus, causing me to miss the mark to the lower left of the target.
Sure enough, I was able to group my shots within the target as I gripped my weapon tighter. I couldn’t have seen this on my own. It took another person to observe what I was doing. This is what other believers do in Bible Impact for each other. We don’t counsel each other; we listen to each other using our biblical tools. We often don’t realize how we’re missing the mark in our thinking, which leads to actions, until we talk out loud with another person.
If you want to become more like Jesus, you’ll need others to watch your life and listen to your words. Who’s watching your life? Who have you given permission to tell you straight up what they’re hearing? Freedom comes to those who are transparent.
Set Free Noww“W”

I received a very important text before I went to sleep last night asking me to pray. This person was under heavy spiritual warfare and was asking me to join the battle for them. I immediately spent time in conversation with God. Afterwards, I read my Bible and drifted off to sleep.
Throughout the night, however, I kept waking up. I’ve learned over the years to ask the Lord, “Is there someone You want me to pray for?” when this happens. Sure enough, the Spirit brought this person’s name to mind. I went to war for them in the heavenlies and then back to sleep. What seemed like minutes, I was awake again praying for them. This happened repeatedly throughout the early morning hours. Funny thing about all this though was that I woke rested despite not getting a full night sleep.
This kind of warfare is talked about in Ephesians 6, especially the war talk in verse18, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”
Notice the passage says “at all times.” This means early morning hours and any time the Spirit puts someone on your heart. This is what is meant by praying for each others’ healing in James 5:16. Victory comes when we go to war with each other by talking to God for each other. Yet, you never know when your Bible Impact partner is going to be attacked by the enemy to take their drug of choice!
Our victory is dependent upon us praying for each other, but we never know when our enemy will attack. So constantly be ready to go to war with and for each other, even at the strangest times like the early morning hours.
Set Free Noww“W”

This is funny…in a comic strip, but not in real life. Yes, there is freedom in choice, but not in their consequences. Yes, we will be forgiven for our sin, but that doesn’t mean the consequences of that choice come rent free here on earth.
This is an excellent example of abusing, not using, God’s grace. 1 John 2:1 states, “If we sin” not “when we sin.” We don’t make mistakes because we know we will be forgiven. We strive to exercise the truth in each situation we face knowing that if we fail, we’ll be forgiven.
When we decide to fail, we are purposefully hurting ourselves as the consequence of that choice brings shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, broken relationships, etc. with it. These consequences all stem from the choice to disconnect from the very source of everything we need – Jesus.
I encourage you not to live with the mentality of this young man. Getting closer to Jesus should always be our goal while using, not abusing, grace as the tool to do it.
S“E”t Free Nowww

There’s a gut check moment in the movie The Patriot. In this particular scene a young woman is standing in the midst of a memorial service to friends killed in the American Revolutionary War. She challenges the men of the congregation to act upon their beliefs. The US Continental Army was raising a militia and was asking these men to join.
She pointed out each man’s stated principles about freedom and how far they said they were willing to go to get and keep that freedom. It was then she said, “Is it now that your efforts are needed most that you stop merely at words? I am only asking you to act upon the principles that you hold so dear.” One by one, including the minister, these men rose to their feet, left the church building, saddled their horse and rode to join the fight.
I believe the Spirit is asking believers in Jesus to act upon their beliefs and join the fight today. Our brothers and sisters around the globe, especially right now in Gaza, Israel, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, and Syria, are being affected by war or war-like situations, some simply because of their faith in Jesus. Some are losing their lives, livelihoods, dignity, homes, jobs, countries (to stay would mean to be heavily taxed or killed by the sword) and/or courage to hang tight in the midst of it all.
Do you believe prayer (talking with God) can really change things? If so, it’s time faith translates into action. Will you pray like you’ve never talked to God before? Serious prayer, not before you eat your meal type of prayer. We’re facing real spiritual warfare. These people are being harmed simply for their faith in Jesus. Will we join the fight with and for them, at least on our knees? Ask the Lord to give you insight or what to pray about and then enter the battle for our fellow brothers and sisters.
Do you believe in the power of one – where one God can use one person to accomplish much? If so, it’s time for faith in action. Spread the word about what’s happening to our brothers and sisters to those in your congregation or “friends” on Facebook, Twitter, and emails. Ask them to at least join you in prayer.
Do you believe in a Sovereign God who can take you home when and where He decides? It’s time to put your beliefs into action. If God lays a certain country on your heart or know of ministries in these affected areas, ask Him what you’re supposed to do about it. Even ask Him if you’re supposed to go and be a source of encouragement…in person!
It is time to exercise the truth of what you say you believe. Let God use you to change a life, at home and around the world.
Set Fre“E” Nowww