I just read in Ezekiel where God’s presence left the Temple in Jerusalem, some years after the first group of Israelis were kicked out of the Land. Before God took off, however, King Manasseh put all kinds of garbage “in the temple of the LORD” to foreign gods, even an Asherah pole carved by human hands!
This had to tick God off; and yet, He stayed. Keep in mind, in 1 Samuel 4, God made Dagon, the Philistine god, bow down to Him. And yet, even through Judah’s darkest hours, God hung in there. What a picture of grace! God was being slimmed and He took it.
Now think about the current temple in which God resides, believers in Christ. Think about how much Jesus puts up with our antics. Our junk thoughts. Our purpose based goals and driven actions, even “Christian” ones. Our time fillers that leave no room for Jesus and His Word. (The Temple was so thrashed they had to “find the Book of the Law” buried under lots of junk!)
This perspective on grace should give you something to raise your voice in thanks about this Friday. Give thanks to the Father for the reality of Romans 8:37-39 where nothing, not even the junk in our lives, can separate us from His love. Thank the Spirit for sticking around through the stench of our garbage to remove those junk thoughts, words and actions. Thank Jesus, that despite our junk, He walks and talks with us. What a great God we have indeed. It’s time to thank Him for all He does for us, despite ourselves.
S“E”t Free Nowww

David makes what looks like contradictory statements in Psalm 51:15-19. On the one hand he writes, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
It appears, at first glance, that animal sacrifices were unnecessary, even though God commanded them in Leviticus 1-6, but only the sacrifice of praise from a broken heart was.
Yet, David goes on to write, “Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.” Now God’s okay with sacrifices and burnt offerings. What’s going on?
God hates outward religion with no heart involvement! Going through the motions of making any sacrifice simply because it was the thing to do, wasn’t doing David or God any favors. David knew he needed his sins forgiven and religious acts in and of themselves couldn’t cover them. He needed his sins covered and praised God that He provided a way…sacrifice.
Simply put, going to church on Sunday is not earning you any brownie points with Jesus nor is going to weekly Bible studies; unless, you come recognizing that only Jesus can cover your past; and, come with a heart willing to be changed by the Spirit.
When you get sick and tired of playing church, you’re ready to become more like Jesus. Church services without Jesus have little value to either of you.
S“E”t Free Nowww

Yes, that’s a great idea. Go for it! We all know people like this. When asked for their opinion, they first think about what they think you want to hear; and then, will give you the answer they think want you want to hear, even if they believe or know it won’t be good for you. They are known by various names, some not so nice, but basically they’re known as yes men/women.
No, Jesus doesn’t need yes men or women. He wants us to be honest and transparent with Him, not because He needs it, but because we need it. Being honest with ourselves is the first step to seeing our lives changed into His image. He’s God. He can take how you honestly feel or think, even if it sounds unchristian to say!
Jesus does want yes men and women, though. He wants them to be real by telling Him what’s really going on in their hearts and minds. And, as He will always tell us what’s good for us, even if we don’t want to hear it, He then wants us to listen to and say “Yes” to follow what He says to do. His way of thinking when combined with a yes choice to follow Him will change your life for the better, even if you don’t think so at the moment.
S“E”t Free Nowww

It’s been said, “Our knowledge often gets in the way of our understanding.” Knowing facts doesn’t mean we know what they mean, let alone how to use them in our daily decisions.
Imagine being hungry and walking up to a “mature” fruit tree to only find leaves during fruit picking season. The tree drew nutrients from the soil and produced wonderful leaves, but no edible fruit! You’d walk away disappointed with a growling stomach. The Western world is engrossed with knowledge, but not too enamored with maturity.
Maturity is not how much of the Bible we know, but how much we let it change our lives. James writes, “Anyone who listens to the Word, but does not do what is says is like man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (1:23-24)
Are you in the Word of God, but not with the Word of God throughout your day? Become a mature believer. Use the FREEdom process throughout your day to be with Jesus, who will change your life using the knowledge He gives you.
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“Focus on your challenges – you’ll be distressed. Focus on yourself – you’ll be depressed. Focus on Jesus – you’ll find rest.” Corrie ten Boom
It’s our choice who or what we’ll focus on each day; thus, we choose the outcome of our day. Who or what will you focus on today?
S“E”t Free Nowww