I love it when people start exercising either by going to a fitness center or by hitting the road. I know exactly what I’m going to hear the next day. “Man, I thought working out would make me feel energized; but I ache in places I never knew existed before!” They’re feeling the affects of making their muscles get out of and go way beyond their comfort zone.
Walking with Jesus is an exercise of the willing. If we want to follow Jesus we have to get out of our comfort zones and exercise some faith. We have to believe the truths Jesus tells us. Yet, how is it that it is far easier to listen to the negative voice in our head than to the voice of Jesus? We all know it’s true.
So it’s time for a little brain workout. Let’s practice listening to the only voice that can lead us to victory over our drugs of choice – Jesus. Start exercising the next time a negative thought pops up in your head. Grab it. Exchange it with the truth. (If you haven’t put  that truth in your head yet, now’s the time!) Then act upon that truth. The more you exercise your faith in Jesus’ voice the more you’ll experience great tasting freedom.
Remember, you will act consistently with the way you think. It’s time for a brain workout.
Set “Free” Nowww

Ever had a day where your schedule was blown to pieces? Appointments go longer than expected. Unscheduled, though important, calls must be taken. Projects sent that must be handled now rather than when it’s convenient. Get a brain cramp that makes doing a certain task take even longer than planned.
Today was one of those days and I loved it! I had such peace in the midst of every single “set-back” I faced. I knew I was doing “the good work” that my God had created me to do long before I was ever born (Eph. 2:10). Yes, I still have “stuff” on my to-do list that needs to get done as I write this blog. Yet, I’ve got a smile on my face and peace in my heart.
This is made possible only by knowing who and whose I am. As a child of God, I don’t get my satisfaction from accomplishing the items on my to-do list. I get it from filtering each situation through Jesus and then following Him. Should I stay? Am I supposed to take this call? Can I put that project off to later?
The more we rest in who we are and trust Jesus the more we can give up the illusion that we’re in control of our lives. I choose to give Jesus control over my daily schedule because I love and trust Him. He is my Shepherd, who can talk with me throughout my day. He is my Redeemer, who can make time stretch. He is my Savior, who can save me from the stress of an undone to-do list, which can lead to taking my drug of choice.
It truly is freeing to relinquish control.
“S”et Free Nowww

A well know pastor once said, “You can blame others for your beginning, but how you end is your responsibility and choice.” We don’t know what the sin nature did to our brains. We can’t always remember the contributions, good or bad, others have made to our lives. We had no control over some of the situations we had to endure in the past. Yet, we do have control over our thinking today.
Remember, you will act consistent with the way you think. What you think about yesterday and today will eventually come out in your behavior tomorrow. Your behavior will reflect what you think. It’s time to take an inventory of your thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5). Today, jot down on paper, put in your phone, or wherever you make notes, the thoughts that come across your brain. Then ask, “Do these thoughts line up with the Word of God?” It doesn’t matter who put them or how they got there! The point is they’re in your head and you have the choice to erase them using the truths of God’s Word.
How consistent is your thinking with the Word? The closer they are aligned, the freer you’ll stay.
Se“T” Free Nowww

I heard the most interesting statement yesterday, “The more you know the less you have to know.” I understand it to mean that if I learn something now, I don’t have to learn it tomorrow. Therefore, I can learn something new.
I was exposed to this same thought in a different way. “Learn it now or later, but you will learn it; so you might as well learn it now.”
No matter who we are, where we live, where we’ve come from or what’s happened to us in the past, we will continue to face new challenges the Spirit will use to transform our character from ours to Jesus’ (Heb. 12:4-13). This takes the Spirit revealing new things about who Jesus is and what He can do. It’s our drugs of choice, our repeated attempts to meet our needs our way, that get in the way of us learning more about Jesus.
My friends, there is so much more to learn about and fall in love with Jesus for. Don’t hide from the truth behind your unsuccessful attempts at meeting your own needs. Keep filtering your life through your biblical tools of freedom and your love for Jesus can and will grow deeper and more meaningful to you.
S“E”t Free Nowww

I recently watched God work in a mighty way at one of our MiniChurches (our home fellowships/churches). As the group worked their way through John 10, lights went on big time. The group discovered and discussed the important points of a shepherd in John 10:1-10. Among other things, the group saw that Jesus knows His sheep by name and that His sheep know Him by voice and follow Him.
“Frank”, a person in the group, spoke up. “I’m going through that right now. I think I know what He wants me to do, but I’m not sure.” After letting the group in on a few details, people, with filters on, were getting insights from the Spirit to share with him. A few moments later The Light went on in his head. He realized he was basing his decision on fear rather than on the truths of God’s Word. The group didn’t tell him what to do. They simply listened to the voice of their Shepherd along with him. Everyone went away stoked at what God had done!
I often hear Christians say, “I don’t need the church. I can worship Jesus on a mountain top by myself.” This statement is both true and false. True, they can worship Jesus on a mountain by themselves. False, they don’t need the church. The Spirit of God using the Word and people of God are needed for us to become more like and in love with Jesus. Yeah, we don’t need a church service, but we do need those in the church to draw us closer to Jesus. Who are the people of God in your life?
Set Free Noww“W”