I sit here typing this entry with a literal painful reminder of a recently reinforced lesson. I love to surf and desire to get out every opportunity that presents itself, which isn’t too often these days. I recently was given a board that fits me perfectly due to my infrequent opportunities and current shoulder issues.
I was presented this past Friday night with a chance to surf with my son and his friend. I jumped at the opportunity. We checked the surf report and prepared for our way too early morning departure. Problem. I never asked the Lord about it.
The reason this is important is that He’s been trying to teach me: My schedule isn’t mine. It’s His. I need to retrain my brain as my drug of choice is to control my schedule by choosing what does and doesn’t go on it and in what order items get done.
I was given a fresh reminder of why His way is better than mine two days prior. I was given “divine appointments” to minister on His behalf because I was in the right place at the right time. This only happened because I let Him set my day’s agenda.
Well, I paid a price for this lesson reinforcement. Lets just say that the waves were a little too big. I lasted about an hour and half in the water, even though it took almost that long just to get to the beach! I paddled more than I surfed. Broke my leash and had to swim over 50 long exhausting yards through several crashing waves to get by board.
As I sat on shore, shoulder throbbing and pride bruised, I just smiled. “Lord, I get it.” He lovingly reinforced “it” all the way home until my friends Ibuprofen kicked in. Yeah, I’m still a little sore, but if it helps me to remember what He’s teaching me, it’s worth every ache. I thank Jesus for the truth: never give up yourself as He won’t. It takes time retrain the brain (aka renew the mind). Praise Jesus that He gives us this time.
It was a painful reminder, as all bad choices bring pain. But one I hopefully remember tonight when I…oops…He lays out my schedule for tomorrow.
Set Free No“W”ww

I heard a very thought provoking statement the other day. “The world has enough greatness, but not enough goodness.” In our search to find meaning in life, we often forget that goodness spreads faster than greatness.
We seek the impossible. We want the miracle. We desire the visible power of God. Okay, sure. Want to know what will make a bigger difference? Doing good. Only Jesus is truly good. As we let Him transform our lives with each decision, with the next choice, and follow Him, our actions will be good – every day, normal, vanilla good.
Think about that for a minute though. With all the evil we’re seeing in our world, what would happen if we all followed Jesus to let Him shine each day, how much good could be done to over come that evil? Remember, it was Jesus who said that the gates of hell can’t withstand the onslaught of Him making more and healthier disciples.
We see our brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East being murdered. You might be thinking, “What can little old me do?” Maybe nothing and therefore you’ll do nothing because you don’t feel you can do anything about it.
Wrong, we can do the good thing each day by listening to Jesus and following. And if enough of us who call ourselves believers in Jesus Christ choose every day goodness over a one time act of greatness, can you imagine the difference we could make in the battle against evil?
Doing the great thing, well, it kind of depends on too many circumstances. Yet, I can do the good thing each moment of today because of who lives within and empowers me – Jesus. Frankly, I’ll choose goodness over greatness anytime. How about you?
Set Free Now”W”w

We saw last time that our walkie-talkie is our last piece of God-given armor. Let that sink in. As a secure child of God, you can talk with the victorious Commander-in-Chief at any moment. You are that special to Jesus. That alone should make your day.
Now, let’s finish this thought from Ephesians 6:18. Paul writes on, “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the holy ones (saints).”
The word “always” means to do something continually. In this case, using your walkie-talkie for other children of God (saints). We’re to stay awake (alert), ready to do battle for each other. I know I talked about this last week, but the Spirit put upon my heart to reiterate this truth. We need each other to fight our battle with us.
It’s interesting that the word for “struggle” in verse 12 describes a wrestling match. Now, wrestling is usually a one on one match. Yet, the Spirit is telling us, “Why fight fair against your enemy? He won’t. Why should you?” It’s a wrestling match where more than one wrestler can enter the ring. We must have each others’ backs. Soldiers do not go to war alone and neither should believers.
First, have someone who is entering the ring with you. Second, be ready for the Spirit to nudge you to use your walkie-talkie at any time, day or night, work or at play, to do battle on each others’ behalf. And finally, don’t be afraid to text/call/email/Skype/Facebook messenger or whatever other device you have at your disposal to reach out to your prayer warriors so they can do battle for you…no matter what time of day it is! Battles are not always fought when it’s convenient. But they will be won as we hit our knees for each other.
You need it. They need it. And we both win when we do it.
“S”et Free Noww“W”

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”