“Now we who have believed enter that rest.” (Heb. 4:2) As I researched the word “rest” throughout both sides of the book, this is what I came to discover. One, the word means to stop working or to quit. Two, it means to trust in the promises of God. In Israel’s case, could He bring them into the Promised Land? Could He get them home? Some didn’t and rebelled by doing their own thing (wouldn’t stop working or quit their agenda) and ended up dying outside the land (Ps. 95; Heb. 4). Three, it is where Jesus will ultimately establish His throne (Ps. 132:14).
Rest for the believer today is the promise of life change. Do you believe that only Jesus, not your efforts, will make you closer to and more like Him, the One who holds all the good stuff you’re looking for in life? It’s as you focus on the truths, not your efforts or the lies in your head, the Spirit gives you that will bring you the life Jesus came to give. When you do, you will worship at the throne of Jesus.
If you want to live in freedom, it’s time for more faith, not more effort. Today ask the Spirit to increase your faith.
S“E”t Free Nowww

One fighting formation the Roman army used to defeat their enemies was their human tank called the “Tortoise” formation. This formation provided protection from arrows finding their targets as they knew their fellow soldier’s square shaped shields would protect them as they moved forward in battle.
Our archenemy, Satan, shoots deadly arrows at us. Who has you covered? The moment you became a believer in Jesus you were placed into a family of fellow soldiers. Just as it meant extra work and possible death for the Roman soldier to go into battle alone, the same result awaits the believer who thinks they can be victorious in the battle without their fellow soldiers.
“If we confess our sins one to another and pray for each other so you will be healed (victorious).” (James 5:16) Right now pray for your BIG partner’s victory. While you’re at it, please pray for mine as well. The battle’s raging right now.
And if you don’t have a BIG partner or someone who is praying for specific victory in your life, more power to you. You’re going to need it.
Set Free Noww“W”

You become what you focus on and what you focus on only gets bigger. You’ve heard me say that many times. You’ll continue to hear me say it as it’s 100% true. What you allow to run or roll around in your head today will eventually come out in your life tomorrow. You don’t just fall!
Based upon this, I want to say that first sentence another way. Stop focusing on stopping sin and stay focused on becoming like Jesus and the process to become like Him. We are children of God because of Jesus. We are God’s workmanship in Christ. We are made citizens of heaven by Jesus. We are friends with Jesus. We are redeemed based upon Jesus’ life, death and life. The more you focus on Jesus and who you are in Him, the more you will become like Him.
Yet, we tend to focus on the negative or sinful behavior that needs to be removed from our lives. Folks, you are giving sin too much attention! Too much time and effort! Focus on Jesus and truths He gives you. Focus on Jesus and the tools He has given you. Focus on Jesus and the process of change He’s shown you.
Guess what? You will become what you focus on and what you focus on will only get bigger.
“S”et Free Nowww

I have an awesome Jesus story to tell today. I was given a compliment this morning that caught me completely off guard. This person and I were in a conversation when they said, “You look so calm.”
My response was, “It’s true and it’s Jesus.” This wasn’t a cliché answer either. The calmness to my uncertain situation is in fact due to Jesus continuing to change my life.
This calmness, which is opposite of what I should be feeling, is founded upon the truths He’s put into my shield of faith from my BIG reading. Consider the following: “I will praise the LORD all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes (outside authorities), in human beings (including myself), who cannot save. Blessed (happy, calm) are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth…The LORD sets prisoners free…the LORD lifts up those who are bowed…The LORD watches over the foreigner…He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The LORD reigns forever. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of the warrior; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 146:2-3,5-6,7b-10b; 147:10-11)
That about says it all, doesn’t it? This calm feeling in the midst of a storm comes from Jesus; not me, my abilities nor my strength. Period. Therefore, we must filter out our ‘I’ problem as it is the problem. “I think. I want. I have to have. I desire. I’m not getting this or that.”
Those who use their biblical tools to stay focused on The Answer to life find answers in life and can give answers to life’s questions to others. It is indeed all about You, Jesus.
“S”et Free Nowww

I was on a prayer walk at The Oaks Retreat Center when I came upon vast tracts of land burned by a fire. On this walk I also saw what a good fire road or break can do as well.
If you look closely on the right side of the photo (to the left of my shadow) you will see the charred base of a small shrub. Yet across the road the landscape shows no signs of fire damage whatsoever. It was the road and a lot of help from firefighters that not only saved the animal habit to the left, but the retreat center that is just a short distance from here.
As the firefighters used the road as a firebreak to keep the fire from causing further damage, Jesus wants to use you and me as a firebreak to keep the fires of life from similarly destroying the lives of those around us.
People’s lives are being destroyed by life; and yet, they are hesitant to turn to Jesus. Part of the reason is that they are without firebreaks in their lives. They watch believers in Jesus being destroyed by the same flames at the same speed as it’s destroying theirs.
Choose to be that firebreak! Allow the Spirit to change your life by picking up and using your biblical tools each day. It’s a win:win situation. Your life gets better and at the same time you become living proof that Jesus can make their lives better as well.
Each one can reach one for Jesus as they watch Jesus, the ultimate firefighter, change their life. Don’t settle for the slow burn. Become a firebreak by listening to and following Jesus every where you go, no matter what time of day it is.
Set Free Nowww