Individuality is over rated and is so not true. Those who want to look different simply end up looking like someone else. You can see this truth in a popular comic strip. It had a sign in the window that read, “Show your individuality, pick one of these popular tattoos.” Be different by copying everyone else!
Trying to be an individual is what gets us into trouble. Being a secure child of God, who is uniquely made, is what brings victory. You were given a unique nature and mind the moment you put your faith in Jesus – Christ’s. You were given purpose and meaning the moment you were born again. You were given a task specifically made for you, though it may be extremely difficult and painful (e.g. our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world), the moment you became a secure child of God.
Why try to look like someone else, when you’re a truly unique child of God? Why try to be an individual that copies others, which is only a means to fit in, when you already “fit in” as a child of God? Stop the stressful life, which leads to your drugs of choice, by thanking God for who you already are!
Victorious living starts when you realize what it means to be a secure child of God who appreciates what Jesus did for and in you; and then, who makes daily decisions to stay close to Jesus – the only One who can truly bring pleasure in an often painful world.
“S”et Free Nowww

They stole my identity, but I will not let them steal my soul. This was a great line from a show my wife and I recently watched. One of the main characters had their identity stolen. It wasn’t just their money that was stolen. They were also robed of their integrity and the trust of their employer, which could have cost them their livelihood as well.
Wait there is more! Their financial loss was so great that, though they were very accomplished in their field, the courts treated them like a child! They had to have someone else pay their bills, handle their finances and ultimately give them a weekly allowance. It was pure humiliation!
How would you react once the person was caught? Anger would be justified. Hatred? Bitterness? What made it worse was that the person who stole from them not only was a friend, but showed no remorse over what they had done. In fact, the culprit blamed the person they stole from for what had happened!
Feel like forgiving? Nope. I once read, “Life is much easier when you learn to accept the apology you never got.” This is so true! Biblical forgiveness is not about the person who wronged you. It’s about not letting them steal your soul.
Yes, we seek justice and restitution, but what if it never comes or the person never cops to what they did? Biblical forgiveness is about working through your pain to be free of what they did to you. People can hurt you, but is that any reason to let them destroy your life?
Think about it. You can either wait for them to ask, which may never happen, or you can forgive in order to be free to enjoy your walk with Jesus and become more like Him. (Remember this statement, “Father forgive them”?) Experience the significance of forgiveness. It sure beats letting the other person continue to rip you off.
Set Free N“O”www

Take a look at the picture. It’s a leaf on a road. What makes it significant is what is on the leaf and what is not on the pavement. The night before this picture was taken, it snowed a good half inch. The snow fell on the road. It fell on the trees. It fell on the houses. And it fell on the leaf.
The snow that fell on the houses and trees stayed well past sunrise. The snow that fell on the road melted right away into water and then dried in the morning sun, leaving the pavement dry. The snow that fell on the leaf melted into water.
Here’s the point. Those around you need Jesus water. They are so burned out on the world not meeting their needs that they’re like the snow that simply melted and then evaporated, leaving them as dry as the pavement. You are that leaf in their life. You’re on their path of life. As a secure child of God, you can be the bearer of Jesus water they need because you’re choosing to let Jesus meet your needs. You’re staying moist and supple despite life’s attempts to suck the water out of your life.
You are a secure, significant child of God. Each time you allow Jesus to meet your needs, you become a living example that Jesus really does work in the world in which you and they live. Today, choose to live out the significance of one. Choose to be the bearer of Jesus water to those around you.
“S”et Free Nowww

Wow. It was one of those deep chest inhales of fresh mountain air that makes you go, “Ahh,” with a smile on your face. I went out this morning on a walk-talk with Jesus just after it had finished raining, which brought out the fresh smells of the pine trees and the wet ground. You could even hear the calming sound of the creek water running along side the road.
It was a great way to start off the day. The freshness reminded me that each day is a fresh new day to give thanks for who the Lord is, especially on a Monday, which is always a hard day to get started.
Remember that you not only get a fresh start each Monday, but each opportunity is a fresh start to choose to draw closer to and become more like Jesus. Take a deep breath. Hear the calming voice of Jesus. Then choose to go, “Ahh,” as you enjoy a closer walk with Jesus and victory over your drug of choice.
Set “FREE” Nowww

I’ve got houses with dogs on almost every street where I walk and talk with Jesus. One night while walking, I let them get to me…bad. I’d bark back at them, which only made them bark all the louder. I know, smart move on my part. It was just that all the barking was getting under my skin and I simply reacted.
On another night time walk and talk, it was the same houses, same dogs, same barking; yet this time, I simply laughed. Their insistent barking didn’t bother me, let alone keep me from enjoying my walk-talk with Jesus.
It was the same situation; yet the results were totally different. Why? It was what was going on inside of me that matter. I was wrestling with something one night while the next time I passed by their howling, I was in a different place…mentally.
Sometimes the chains that prevent us from being free are more mental than physical. Jesus set us free. Why, then, do we let others keep us in chains? Our reaction (using our drug of choice or experiencing a sense peace) to life (like barking dogs) is based upon where our focus is – inner thinking or physical stimuli. Choose Jesus. Laughter is indeed good medicine.
Set “FREE” Nowww