Our lives will be lived in constant frustration if our dreams, goals and desires do not line up with God’s Word. Jesus never promises to bless our words, only His.
When we’re frustrated, we must ask ourselves, “Am I a prisoner locked away inside the cell of frustration to my unfulfilled and futile dreams, wants and desires?” Think about it. Isn’t frustration one of the reasons we head to our drugs of choice/sinful choices, which only robs us of our freedom?
Listen to what Jesus says in 1 John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence you have in approaching Me: that if you ask anything according to My will, I hear you. And know that if I hear you – whatever you ask – know that you will have what you asked for.” His dreams for your life bring freedom from all the negative things your dreams bring!
When your frustration levels start to rise, it’s time to slow down and ask the Spirit to shine the truths of Scripture into your mind. “Are my goals biblical? Is what I’m wanting even good for me?”
God is good…all the time; and yes, His best for you really is best for you.
S“E”t Free Nowww

At our Gathering this week we discussed 1 Samuel 9 and 10. Saul was from the smallest tribe in Israel, Benjamin, of which his clan was the least important. Despite this auspicious start, God saw something in Saul that Saul didn’t – a king. Isn’t that just like God to take something small and turn it into something big? God not only saw Saul’s potential but He gave Saul a new heart and power source – the Spirit of God.
When it came time for Saul to be named king, however, where do we find Saul? Hiding in the baggage! Saul saw himself as porter, not a king. And throughout Saul’s life, he settled for staying with his baggage, rather than tap into God’s power and who God made him.
God whacked me upside the head with this story. My Father sees the potential He put in me as I am His masterpiece (aka workmanship). He’s given me a new nature, mind and power source as well. I should live in victory throughout each day; and yet, at times I live in the baggage of doubt, which leads to discouragement and defeat.
It’s time to let the baggage go and walk in victory. It’s time to believe what God says about me, rather than what I say about myself. It’s time to faithfully pray toward the fulfillment of what God has told me.
How about you? What baggage are you holding on to that keeps you from becoming who Christ made you? Use your FREEdom tools to hold onto the truths that will set you free from that baggage.
Set “FREE” Nowww

I recently spoke at a Celebration of Life service for a very dear friend. I believe the Spirit had me say to this man’s daughters and wife, because it wasn’t in my notes, “Joe was ready, but he didn’t want to go.” Joe would have loved to stick around to see his much wanted grandkids, but he was ready to depart when Jesus called him home.
I often hear Christians say, “I sure wish Jesus would come back to take us home” in reference to the rapture/home going of the Bride. The context of this statement is usually that they’re tired of living with all the hardships and aches and pains that come with living in this world.
Take it for what’s it worth, but I think Jesus would rather we have Joe’s perspective: We’re ready, but don’t want to go. Jesus loves people and wants  an eternal relationship with them. How will they see Jesus if not through us sticking around, loving and walking with Jesus through the thick and thin of life, and then being ready to share His love with them both verbally and physically?
We know how the world ends. (Read Revelation in case you need a fresh reminder.) Those around us – coworkers, family, friends, the grocery bagger, the cashier at our favorite restaurant – need Jesus! Let’s be ready to go when Jesus calls, but willing to stick around for them to see Jesus in us.
Set Free Now“W”w

A vast amount of those who call themselves Christians have little or no walk with Jesus, though they have a tremendous amount of biblical knowledge. It’s these Christians who give Jesus a bad name. Their words are not backed up by their lives.
A rather famous movie character once said, “There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” James said the same thing to his believing Jewish brothers scattered throughout the world, “I will show my faith by what I do” (James 2:18).
We absolutely need to be in the Word of God; but we also must walk with the Word of God, Jesus, each day. A healthy believer allows the truths discovered in Scripture to transform their life through actually using that knowledge in their daily decisions empowered by the Spirit.
If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it must be a duck. Today, ask the Spirit to empower you to walk closely with Jesus, not just talk about Him.
Set Fre“E” Nowww

I saw something most interesting on my prayer walk – an ant carrying a single kernel of wheat. It was almost as big as the ant! I’ll bet that ant was very thankful too. The farmer had just harvested his crop and plowed his fields. The entire crop was gone!
Where would the ant get its food to store for the winter now? Unhappy ant? I don’t think so. I think it was extremely thankful, despite the barren fields.
The farmer had actually done all the heavy “lifting” for the ant. The harvest and the discing machines had separated the kernel from both the stalk and the chaff. All the ant had to do was pick it up and carry it home.
I read once, “You don’t have to be happy to be thankful, but true happiness only grows in a thankful heart.” The ant could focus on the entire crop being gone and been extremely unhappy. Or, it could be thankful for the take away ready kernels and be happy.
We don’t have control over all our circumstances, but we do have full control over whether we’ll be thankful or not. Stop complaining, which only takes you toward a frown (and your drug or sin of choice). Instead, remember who Jesus is, what He can do, and all that He is doing in you. It will put a smile on your face, just like the ant’s.
S“E”t Free Nowww