I read a statement that caused me to ask, “Can what this person be saying actually be true?” They wrote, “Unconditional love is such an amazing non-reality.”
As I processed this statement through the Word, it started to sink in as true. We live in a fallen world, which means people as imperfect beings can and will hurt us. In order to protect ourselves from this hurt, we make boundaries or put up defensive walls. This very action means love can’t be unconditional. In effect we’re saying, “I’ll love you only so far. I’ll open up to you only as far as can I trust you not to hurt me.” Life on this planet is bathed in conditional love for this reason.
This is why we needed God’s unconditional love to break through our existence. He opens Himself up to us knowing that we will hurt and disappoint Him. He loved us long before He ever got anything out of the relationship too. He is our example of pure unadulterated unconditional love.
His unconditional love has been poured into our lives through the Spirit of God (Rom. 5:5). It’s already there; and yet, the Lord knowing it’s extremely difficult to not only grasp this kind of love, but experience it as well (Eph. 3:17-19) asks us to pray for each other to make it happen.
Who are you allowing to pray for you? Experiencing this love has to start with first believing it’s possible and then opening up to it. Let someone pray for you today!
Set Free Noww“W”

Landon Donovan, arguably one of America’s greatest soccer (futbol to the rest of the world) players, had this to say about one of the biggest disappointments in his life – not making the American squad for the 2012 World Cup, in what would have been the final Cup of his illustrious career.
“I know this is going to sound stupid to a lot of people, but I’m glad I didn’t go. It’s good for me to see it’s not always going to go [my] way. I grew a lot more by that happening than by me going to the World Cup. To me, life is about growing as a person.”
Realty, as Scripture describes it, states that life is unfair and at times, unjust. No matter how hard we try, life might turn our differently than we had planned or hoped. This can lead to great disappointment. How we handle those disappointments is crucial.
We can either surrender to Jesus and let Him use those disappointments to shave away our unChrist-like character and replace it with His; or, we can let those disappointments draw us closer to our drugs of choice that reinforce our unChrist-like character and ruin us.
No Donovan. What you said is really quite enlightening. If only we all would listen to this sage advice and choose to turn disappointment into life-changing victory.
S“E”t Free Nowww

I was reminded of an important truth today: pain is my friend if I choose not to ignore it. Scripture is a wonderful book. It tells us like it is – the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly sides of many of its characters.
We see the pain caused by their bad choices, the taking of their drugs of choice. Like them, we have two choices in dealing with this pain. We can either ignore it and repeat their mistakes and feel the pain associated with it for ourselves; or, we can learn from it by making better choices to be closer to Jesus.
We don’t have to like pain, but it can certainly become our ally. Ignore it and the damage only gets worse. Use it and your life can change so you can experience the joy that comes from the freedom Jesus gave you.
S“E”t Free Nowww

“We all have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” This verse in Hebrews 12 took on new meaning for me this week.
I had never experience the first part of the verse as I never had an earthly father who disciplined me. It wasn’t like I disliked the man. It’s just that I didn’t know him enough to trust him, let alone respect him.
As I was processing a certain situation this past week, I heard my Father’s voice as clear as a bell, “No. And that should be enough for you and the end of it. Do what I said to do.” This was a strange experience as it was the first time a Dad ever said that to me.
Sure, I said this to my children. I expected them to trust my judgment, whether or not they got it, and do what I said. Why couldn’t my Heavenly Father do and expect the same from me, His child?
Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, not try to figure it out. It’s His job to lead and guide. It’s my job to follow if I want to experience what only He can provide. I’m still hearing that no. And believe me, when your Father says no, He means no, not maybe. And it’s time to show your faith in Him when He does.
“S”et Free Nowww

Scripture says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Do you realize this phrase is used in the context of our relationship with Jesus, not other believers (James 1:13ff)? Life hits us and we often are quick to talk to God or get angry with Him. We’re even tempted to start whining.
Yet scripture teaches us to shut up and listen! Jesus said, and I’m paraphrasing now, “My sheep listen and follow. They don’t try to figure it out and then follow. They don’t try to analyze it and then do what I tell them. They simply listen and follow, especially when life doesn’t make sense to them.”
Our first reaction to life should be to stop and listen, rather than to react. Yet, “it is natural to struggle with silence. Sitting silently is intimidating, awkward and uncomfortable. Well-intentioned people therefore sometimes fill the silence by saying things that are in fact insensitive, thoughtless or even hurtful” to others, themselves and/or to Jesus.
Silence is indeed golden at times. Be quick to listen to Jesus. Very slow to speak and drop the anger to the perceived wrong you’re facing. Instead, slow the thoughts down and learn the art of listening, so you can follow the only One who can make sense of what you’re going through.
S“E”t Free Nowww