We can do good things and still end up in bad places. I recently heard the story of a couple who were leaving the US to live where the pace of life was much much slower. They discovered that most Westerners are running, some real fast, but are going absolutely no where.
This is just as true of believers in Christ as it is for those who are not. Some have bought the lie that busyness leads to godliness. It’s an obedience that can mask true spirituality. “I’m obeying; thus You should be happy with me God!”
I wonder if the reason that we busy ourselves with so many things is that we’re hiding from ourselves and Jesus. Our “get it done” “do more” mentality only hides our insecurity, our sense of insignificance, and our fear of being found unworthy of love if someone really knew us.
Yet, Hebrews 4:13 states that “no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” He sees where you’re running and it’s not a good place if it is not where and when He’d have you run.
Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and then follow Him. It’s pretty hard to hear His voice, though, if your mind’s pre-occupied with so many things, even good things. Can you slow down? Let me re-phrase that, are you afraid to slow down? Here is an important truth: Jesus knows more about you than you do and still He says He loves you…forever. So stop running and talk a walk with Him today. You don’t validate yourself by what you do, but who you do it with.
“S”et Free Nowww

Science shows that our thoughts, laid down as neurons on the brain, are interlinked. Meaning, one thought can trigger another thought. And because of this, when we let our guard down in one area of our lives, it tends to spread to other areas of our lives as well. This is why we must keep our guard up as to protect ourselves from spiraling downward, one small, seemingly insignificant decision at a time.
I find it interesting that King David singled out 4,000 Levites to be gatekeepers at the Temple (1 Chron. 23:5). The Jerusalem Temple not only was a place of worship, but it was also the storehouse of Israel’s riches. Thus, these guys regulated who was and wasn’t allowed into the Temple, as well as protected Israel’s treasury!
Kind of gives meaning to Colossians 1:27, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Just as tremendous wealth was stored in the Temple, we too have tremendous wealth stored in us – Jesus Himself.
You have all resources you’ll ever need to become more like Jesus with each and every decision. Let this victorious thought trigger other victorious thoughts. Keep walking by the Spirit to protect your riches!
Set Free Now“W”w

There are times when “fighting the good fight of faith” becomes wearying. And, if we’re honest with ourselves, quitting seems so much easier than plugging away in exercising the truth by faith.
I read a story about King Alfred the Great of Wessex, the last kingdom on the island of Britain that hadn’t fallen to Viking invaders. Alfred decided that it was better to fight and die than to die in bed. He knew from how the Vikings had treated his northern brethren that life would be much harder after surrendering than it would be if he’d fought instead. He chose to risk death for freedom, which he did and achieved.
Blessing and joy are on the other side of obedience. As secure children of God, we trust Jesus to have only our best interest in mind. Based on this truth, we’ll keep doing what He says to do, no matter how hard that might be, because we know real living and peace will be found as we do. Fighting our enemy is extremely hard, but what are the alternatives? Surrender only brings more grief, less meaning in life, more guilt, less satisfaction, more fear, less…you fill in the blank.
Yes, fighting is hard, but surrender brings even more grief. Be encouraged! Keep fighting the good fight of faith and you will experience the good stuff Jesus promises on the other end of obedience.
“S”et Fre“E” Nowww

Today is Memorial Day in the US. It is a day we remember and give thanks for all those who died to obtain and maintain the freedoms we enjoy.
It’s very appropriate, then, for all believers to give thanks on this day to the One who set us free from all the negative consequences of our bad choices/sin and gives us the ability to live in freedom each and every day – Jesus. “It is for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
Let us remember this to give thanks to and focus on Jesus every day no matter where we are, especially though, on this day Memorial Day.
“S”et Free Nowww

The parent’s of Rachel Scott, a 17 year-old martyr for Christ, wrote that Rachel “knew she had failed to be faithful to God, but she did not get frustrated and give up; her flaws helped her remain humble before God and dependent on Him for her sense of balance and satisfaction.”
The pain of failure didn’t cause her to spiral downward, but to become even more dependent on Jesus than before she fell. Pain led to growth.
Recently, I was experiencing headaches and stomach discomfort. I thought it was residual effects from a recent concussion sustained from a surfing accident. Yet, the Lord showed me both were a result of sin in my life. I had forgotten a prior life lesson from the Lord: Jesus doesn’t need me to do anything for Him. He simply wants me to do everything with Him.
I was taking my schedule back again. I was focusing on getting things done rather than the One I was supposed to be doing them with, Jesus, which resulted in stress related headaches and stomach discomfort. If I hadn’t felt both, I wouldn’t have known what I was doing.
Don’t run from your pain (don’t seek it either!), use it to draw closer to Jesus. You fail, but you’re not a failure. You’re an awesome masterpiece of God (Eph. 2:10)!
“S”et Free Nowww