There seems to be a universal truth for all humanity: it takes pain to get us to grow!
This truth hit me like a ton of bricks while reading the Word yesterday. Abraham’s dad had to die to get Abraham to go where God told him to go – Canaan (Gen. 11-12). It took the discipline of a loving Father to get His children (Jn. 1:12) to move closer to Jesus (Heb. 12).
I can get very comfortable with hanging with Jesus, my friend. There are times, though; He will take a step forward, leaving me standing still. Scripture adequately describes the consequences of this choice – discontent and discouragement, which is exactly the opposite of what Jesus promises to those who stay in His presence – joy and peace.
We can choose to stay in our comfort zones with their consequences or use those negative consequences (aka pain) to move closer to Jesus where all the good stuff is found. The choice is ours – grow through our pain or stay in it. I recently choose the path of growth (Gal. 5:25); and hopefully, so will you.
Set Fre“E” Now“W”w

Cleopas. Probably not a name you would remember; but, we can learn a lot from him about peace in challenging circumstances.
He and a friend were leaving Jerusalem the day Jesus rose from the grave, which was three days after Jesus was crucified. They were having a discussion that was leaving them visibly shaken and down in the mouth. Their thoughts and words led them down a very dark path that took their emotions with it (Luke 24:13-35).
Why? They had forgotten what Jesus had taught them: He would die and rise three days later. Their disbelief ran so deep that they wouldn’t even believe what Mary Magdalene, Peter and John had told them about seeing Jesus and an empty tomb. They ended up depressed because they forgot what Jesus, the Word of God, had told them.
Scripture tells us that peace reigns when we stay focused on the truths the Spirit gives us in God’s Word. What truths will you focus on today? Now is the time to be in (reading) and with (walking with) the Word of God, Jesus. Your face and heart will look and feel much better if you do.
S“E”t Free Nowww

Jesus was a true revolutionary; yet not as one might think. One author put it this way. “Jesus never taught revolution, the kind with swords and battles and bloodshed. He talked about a revolution of love. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. It’s a revolution that changes a person to be able do something even that impossible.”
Jesus told the Twelve that those around us would see Him in us through two outwardly visible signs: the way we love each other (Jn. 13:34-35) and how we work as a team (Jn. 17:20-23). Love and getting along with others is a mark of a Jesus believer because it goes against the we naturally think and act.
We have a tendency to protect “I” at all costs. Thus, even after salvation, reducing the “I” and raising up Jesus is a struggle (“we demolish pretensions” – 2 Cor. 10:5). Every person on this planet wants to be loved and accepted by someone, but it takes supernatural power to do it!
Want to be a Jesus revolutionary? Ask the Spirit to empower you today to love the person(s) in your life that are the hardest to love. Let Him show you how to express His love in practical ways so they will see Jesus in you. As you do, you’ll be part of a revolution that changes the world.
Set Free Now“W”w

It’s been said, “Nothing guarantees the triumph of evil like refusing to fight it. Great evil is therefore never defeated by peace activists, but by superior military might.”
For the believer in Christ, inward peace comes through spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18). We stand firm when the enemy attacks, not sit down in a peace circle or run. We can win each battle, not because of who we are, but because of Whose we are – Jesus’. He has given us superior military capabilities – the armor of God.
We have peace with and of God going into battle knowing that our cause is righteous – becoming more like Jesus (feet fitted); the ability to win in each situation we face (breastplate of righteousness), a victorious strategy to follow (belt of truth); and, a shield to stand behind when life’s arrows start flying (shield of the faith). We start from a position of strength not weakness, wholeness not ineptness (helmet of salvation). We’ve got a source of truth that cuts through the enemy’s propaganda (sword of the Spirit) and a power source that gives us the strength and how to use them all (pray in the Spirit on all occasions).
War is not desirable, but it’s inevitable for the believer. Victory is already ours, but we’ve got to fight.
S“E”t Free Now“W”w

A recording artist, who had contracted cancer, tells the story of one of his songs. He was asked, “Do you follow the Lord?” He said, “Certainly.” Then after thinking about it some more, he thought, “Do I really follow the Lord around each day or do I ask Him to follow me around?”
Who’s following who? Your conversations with Jesus, or prayer, is one way to reveal what’s true in your life. Are you doing most of the talking or is He? He surely talks to us as we listen to Him in the Scriptures. He also likes to talk to us as we are quiet before Him.
It’s a safe bet you’re asking Him to follow you around, if you’re not seeking to hear His voice throughout your day everywhere you go. If you want to be near the source of all you need in life, Jesus, follow Him around. It might mean slowing down a little. A noisy world and mind make it hard to hear.
Set Free Now“W”w