Everyday we live in either a negative state or positive state by our own choice. It was once thought that a negative person was born that way. It was as if some people were naturally upbeat and others were not.
This is simply not true, especially for the believer. What do you we have to positive about? Jesus! We are safely in two sets of hands all day long – Jesus’ and the Father’s. He has given us eternal, not temporary, life. He is greater than any enemy that we’ll ever face and He goes with us everywhere we go. He’s given us all the authority we’ll ever need to fight, even the unseen world. So again, what do we have to “rejoice in the Lord always” about?
Research study after research study shows that those who live in loving relationships improve physical health. One showed that a stressful marriage can be as harmful to the heart as a daily smoking habit. We don’t always get to choose our thoughts, but we do have control over what we will do with them. We can squeeze them out like putrid water in a towel or let them soak, which only leads to negativity and our drug taking.
You are a valuable and secure child of God. It’s time to choose to have a positive outlook. The negative ramifications are simply not worth it.
“S”et “FREE” Nowww

Someone once said, “Don’t let your future be based on yours or someone elses past.” The only good that can come from looking back is to give and/or to get forgiveness and then learn from it. Don’t let yours or others past mistakes affect your present.
It’s a new week. Look forward to how you can spend it with Jesus. See it for the many new opportunities to choose to express your love for Jesus. Focus on the truths the Spirit gives you from the Word to experience Jesus show up in your life and to achieve victory over your drugs of choice.
You don’t know how our week will unfold. You do know, though, who’s in charge of the unfolding. Choose to keep listening to and following Him and come next Sunday, you truly will go to a celebration service!
Set Free N“O”www

Today we’re going to get rid of one last stinky thought – over-analyzing, the art of making a mountain out of nothing, let alone a mole hill; so we can successfully “run the race” God has for us.
People give us a “certain look” and we think they hate us. A friend compliments us; and then, we start wondering why they said it or what they want. We make a comment to our spouse; and then, begin telling ourselves they didn’t believe us. You know the drill. All theses thoughts start banging around inside the walls of your mind like a pinball. What does it get you? Down, discouraged…and deceived!
Admit it. You don’t know what the other person is thinking, feeling or their motives for doing or saying anything they do or say. Yet, you allow what you don’t know or what think you know to steal your joy and open the door to your drug of choice.
It’s time to get rid of those pinballs using your FREEdom tools. There is only one voice you should be listening too and it’s none of those banging around inside your head. Use your biblical tools to listen to the only One who counts – Jesus. How would He talk to you? Don’t know? Listen to it in the Word of God. What does He think of you? Don’t know? Get into the Word to memorize specific truths you’ll need to fight off your enemy’s lies. The Spirit knows the battles you’ll face with it’s ensuing lies. He will prepare you for victory with the truths you’ll need.
Here’s a wondrous truth to use in filtering out those banging thoughts: If it helps you become more like Jesus, keep it. If it draws you closer to your drug of choice, squeeze it out. Stay focused on anything that builds you up. Squeeze out anything that brings you down.
Give your mind a rest. You’ll feel the joy and love of the Lord as you do.
Set “FREE” Nowww

Today is Day 3 of how to squeeze that sponge-like brain of ours to “throw off everything that hinders” us so we can “run the race” set before us.
It’s time to squeeze out using the FREEdom process those stinky feelings brought on by procrastination – the art of putting something off we know must be done. A healthy faith, one that is very satisfying, comes from listening to and following Jesus throughout our day everywhere we go. Notice I said, “throughout our day.” Not just when we’re motivated, on fire and ready to charge. Those are the easy times to get things done.
It’s those others times, the gloomy days, which allows that unfulfilled to-do list to drag us down. Putting off tasks/projects we know need to be done only brings on guilt and feeling terrible about ourselves. “I’ve got to make that phone call, but (you fill in the excuse, any old excuse will do like, “My toes hurt” should do the trick).” Not making that call only makes us feel worse about ourselveswho we; thus, in walks our drug of choice to make us feel better.
Overcome procrastination by giving your daily to-do list or series of projects to Jesus. Listen to Him as to what those projects and daily lists should be. We can either be overly ambitious in order to meet our need for significance, which only wears us out, or under ambitious because we fear failure, which heaps burdens on our ever sagging shoulders. Both are joy killers!
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke (daily to-do list, series of projects) upon you and learn from Me (He cleared everything through His Father), for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Rest in this case comes while you’re doing something, but the something first comes from Him.
After getting that list from Him, see it as an act of worship, just as much as singing your favorite worship song. Ask the Spirit for strength to accomplish each item on your list. Don’t skip the hard ones either. This is just another form of procrastination hoping that task will some how magically go away! No, learn from Jesus. “Lord what’s next and then give me the strength to enjoy you while enjoying You.” Then get up and do it with Him.
Today, not tomorrow, is the day to just do it and enjoy Jesus while you do.
Set “FREE” Nowww

Our minds are like sponges. They soak up information, some of which needs to be squeezed out so that our lives don’t end up stinking. This follows the admonition of Scripture to “throw off everything that hinders” so we can “run the race” set before us.”
Yesterday, we talked about doubts (see yesterday’s entry). Today we’ll squeeze out another putrid thought: the fear of failure as it can paralyze us from experiencing who Jesus is and what He can bring to our lives.
In reality, though, it’s not failure that we fear. It’s the results of failure that hold us back: a bruised ego, embarrassment, what others might think, not getting to that next rung on the latter of success, etc.
None of that matters, however, if we remember one thing: We are a secure child of God in Christ. By actually doing what Jesus asks, the outcome boils down to one issue: trust. Can following Jesus actually deliver the love, peace, security and significance that we’re looking for in life?
A world famous trapeze artist crossed Niagara Falls while rolling a barrel. He asked the audience, “Do you think I can do it again?” The crowd roared it’s approval. He asked, “Do you believe that both the barrel and I will safely cross the Falls, even if someone is inside that barrel?” Again, the crowd roared it’s approval. He asked one last question, “If you believe that I can safely cross with a person in the barrel, who will get into the barrel?” You could hear a pin drop.
Following Jesus will get us safely across that chasm of fear. Bruised ego? By doing what He’s asking us to do, we’re getting rid of, not protecting or building up, our ego, which is what gets us into trouble in the first place! Embarrassment? If we’re doing what we’re doing for the only One who counts, Jesus, He’ll be smiling and saying, “That’s my girl/boy! I’m proud of you!” What others might think, again, who cares? There is always someone who will criticize you no matter how great you do something.
“But, what if I mess up?” Does that change God’s opinion of you? No, He loves you the same. Will He beat you up? Nope, He’s there to give you hand up. Will He give up on you? The answer again is, no, as He already knows the exact moment when you’ll get it right anyway, even though that might be months away.
Your God loves and believes in you…period. In reality there is no failure in Christ. There is only failing backwards (not learning from it) or failing forwards (FREEdom processing it). Trust is the answer to overcoming the fear of failure. What do you have to lose, your pride? I think it’s worth giving it up to gain something you’re longing to experience – the results of living Jesus’ way.
“S”et Fr“EE” Nowww