We live in a communication savvy society. Yet, most of us are lousy God talkers. Ephesians 6 talks about the believer’s armor; and yet, we often fail to recognize prayer as our last piece of equipment.
I want to translate Ephesians 6:18 literally. Paul writes, “through all prayer and petitions pray at all times in the Spirit.”
First, there is no stoppage in Paul’s discourse between verse 17 and 18. Second, the verb “pray” is in a form that takes its meaning from the previous verb “take” in verse 17. Thus, the believer is instructed to take their helmet, their sword and now their communication device/prayer. Just as we are to keep wearing our helmet and swinging our sword, we must keep talking with Jesus through the Spirit “at all times.”
What part of “all” doesn’t take into consideration what time of day it is? If you stop talking with Jesus, you’re going to have an extremely tough time experiencing victory over “the devil’s schemes,” who’s goal is to get you to take your drug of choice (i.e. satisfy your needs your way).
Keep your communication lines open. Be ready to hear Jesus give you vital intel on the battle coming your way. He will show you when and where to use the Sword – the specific lie-fighting truths you’ve input into your brain, and where to put your shield of faith in those truths to ward off the flaming lies heading your way. Keep talking with Him.
Here’s a closing thought. If you talk to yourself, why not catch yourself and take that same time to talk with Jesus. He is the power source on the path to victory.
S“E”t Free Nowww

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you – the problem isn’t always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can’t explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So, does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!
Author Unknown
Set Free Noww“W”

Let’s continue with last entry’s thought on the story Jesus told of the seed and four soils. In them, Jesus never mentions water. Yet, the seed can only go so far without water, no matter what soil it’s planted in.
I’ve seen this truth in action in the wheat fields close to my home. The early rains allow the seed to initially grow. Right now, I can see plenty of green stems and leaves over some 200+ acres. This initial rain, however, will only go so far. If these fields don’t get another dousing, this growth becomes stunted. The seed will not bear fruit as the head containing the wheat kernels isn’t produced. This farmer isn’t irrigating his fields. He is totally dependent on nature’s rain, a source outside himself, as his water source. This is called dry-land farming.
This story has tremendous power for a healthy Jesus disciple. You absolutely, positively need the seed. No seed means no fruit. But the story doesn’t stop there. You’ll also bear no fruit if you don’t get help from a source outside yourself. We need the watering of the Holy Spirit and other believers (1 Cor. 3:6 – Apollos watered, but God caused the growth).
You can’t become more like Jesus without the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the people of God. Prayerfully, you’re planting and being with the Word of God throughout your day. Please, don’t stop there. Ask to be watered! Ask the Spirit to empower you to make Christ-like decisions wherever you are (Gal. 5:25). Be ready to pray for or receive prayer from other believers (James 5:16) no matter the time of day.
We must have the seed, the right soil (surrendered heart focused on Jesus), and a source of water if we want to become like Jesus. If you don’t have a fellow believer ready to and already praying for you, may I suggest you download a BIG card in the Resources tab and get started? I speak fresh from victory this past week because of the prayers of my wife and my Bible Impact partners. I needed their “raining” prayers and so do you.
Set Free Now“WW”

Jesus told a parable that He said if His hearers didn’t understand it, they’d never understand any thing He’d say from that point on. He then proceeded to tell the story of a person sowing seed into four types of soil.
They key to the story is the seed itself. Luke 8:11 tells us the seed is the Word of God. If you jumped to the conclusion that He meant the Bible, you’d be wrong. The phrase is logos theos in Greek or the logos of God. This phrase goes back to John 1:1 where it refers to Jesus Himself. Revelation 19:13 also calls Jesus the Word of God.
As the New Testament was being written, this phrase would take on additional meaning – the written word of God as well, but even then it would speak of Him (John 5:39). Fruit bearing seed will produce fruit. No seed means no fruit. No Jesus, no Word of God, equals no fruit.
You CANNOT experience Jesus, any of His life, nor the life He promised to those who follow Him without planting Him and His Word into you! It’s that simple.
Ask yourself, “I am listening to Jesus while reading His written word and His voice throughout my day?” How you answer that question will determine whether Jesus exchanges you with Himself to the point you’ll experience all that you’re looking for in life. You determine the type of fruit you’ll bear by the seed you plant. I pray the seed you plant is Jesus.
S“E”t Free Nowww

I saw a most interesting phenomena this morning on my prayer walk. I was out early enough to see the dew laying heavily on the newly planted fields across from my house. The sun was just beginning to rise over the hills. This combination caused my eye to see a rainbow just above the dew laden fields.
What was interesting was that with every step I took the rainbow moved along with me. It wasn’t out in front of me, nor did I leave it behind with the next step. Instead, it moved with me.
The rainbow is a symbol of God’s promises that He will keep. Our freedom is based on those promises. Our victory is grounded in Him keeping those promises. We’re toast if He doesn’t. We need those promises made and kept with each step we take…today. Tomorrow is another day. And yesterday is already gone. I need those promises the moment I have a decision to make.
Isn’t it good that God gives us ground hugging rainbows to remind us that He’s made us promises that if we choose to follow Jesus’ Word, we’ll experience all that we’re looking for in life? As secure children of God, our Father doesn’t give us burnt toast to eat, but living bread.
“S”et Free Nowww