“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

On our final day on increasing our joy through the simple tool of counting our daily blessings, I’d like to leave you with this most obvious practical suggestion: your personal quiet time each day with Jesus.
Yup, you read that right. Research shows that setting aside at least 20 minutes each day thinking about the ones you love can begin to rewire your emotions. Some studies suggests that for those who can’t carve out 20-minutes, if they “just spend several seconds regularly, throughout the day, dwelling on blessings and actively experiencing gratitude” they became more positive people who are more likely to experience victory in their lives.
By slowing down and telling Jesus that you love Him and letting Him tell you that He loves you back for at least 20 minutes each day, you can go a long way in retraining your brain for victory.
S“E”t Free Nowww

Today is day three of how to lead a more joy-filled life simply by learning to count your blessings. Believers are commanded to do this in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which states they are to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.”
Today’s practical step in counting your blessings is to tell others “Thank you” for making a difference in your life. Think of a person who has touched your life in some way, big or small, and text/email/write them a thank you note for blessing your life. Research has shown that those who did this felt 100% better about themselves after completing the assignment. When people actually delivered their thanks in person, they had even greater levels of joy up to a year later!
If both parties are filling their minds with “happy thoughts” because of these thank you notes, it leaves less room for the negative ones that drive them to their drugs of choice. Telling people to their face how thankful we are for them gives both of us a greater chance of victory by giving us more truths to drive our enemy away days, weeks and years later.
Isn’t it interesting that the Bible tells us to encourage each other…today and everyday (Hebrews 3:13)? Doing so will give both parties – the giver and receiver – greater levels of joy.
Again, my US readers have a natural opportunity, Thanksgiving, to do that around the dinner table today. No matter what country you live in, though, why not tell those around your dinner table tonight what you are thankful about in their life. It will do you some both good.
S“E”t Free Nowww

Scripture describes how to live in the real world in which we live. I don’t need science to back it up, but it’s cool when researchers discover truths – like be thankful – already contained in the Book of books. We started a series that will continue through Friday about how those who daily count their blessings lead much happier lives than those don’t, regardless of their circumstances.
This is an insight into the Spirit’s command to secure children of God to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Yesterday I gave one practical way to count your blessings, which was to talk with Jesus – pray without ceasing. It’s a blessing that even scientific research reveals leads to healthier lives.
Today’s practical way to count your blessing is to brainstorm a list things you’re grateful for in your life. Research has shown that people who talk “about things they were grateful for recorded a greater sense of happiness and well-being,” which lasted for months. You can reduce the down hill slide in your head, which leads to your drug of choice – say worry – simply by intentionally reminding yourself of your blessings.
This goes to the heart of “give thanks in all circumstances.” Your circumstances may be lousy, but stopping to remember what you’re thankful for or pulling up that list from your phone and reading it aloud to yourself, will start to move your attitude upward.
Right now stop what you’re doing. Brainstorm a list of things for which you are thankful. Keep going until you reach at least 25 items on that list. Then each day remember to rehearse that list of truths that will set you free from the negativity that drags you down, especially in “circumstances” that tend to point you in that direction. And for those living in the US, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Why not share a few items from that list with those at the dinner table?
S“E”t Free Nowww