This is a picture of a San Diego, California lighthouse. Notice how small the bulb is inside the glass enclosure. It’s not the size of the bulb, but the size of the magnifying class that allows the light to shine so bright.
The Spirit of God is the magnifying glass. As we allow Jesus to make even small changes in our lives, the Spirit can magnify that change to keep others from destroying themselves on the rocks of life.
I recently read a study that shows there is a growing interest in atheism among high school students. This was due to several factors, including disenchantment with organized religion because of recent scandals and the rise of the Internet, which gives young doubters a safe forum to ask questions.
These kids are not looking for theory or pontification. They’re asking, “Can Jesus really make a difference in my life?” They are looking for people who have an honest everyday faith that makes a difference in their everyday lives to ask their life questions.
Don’t underestimate the value of being a secure child of God. The Spirit of God can take even the small changes in our lives to make a big difference in the lives of those watching us.
“S”et Free Nowww

“It’s not that bad!” This kind of fuzzy thinking leads to our drugs of choice. It basically says that what I’m doing is not so bad or is just a little bad when it’s compared to something that is really bad.
Really, compared to what? And, who decides? We’re in deep trouble if we and/or our culture are the measuring sticks by which bad or good is measured.
From Genesis to Revelation God is bringing order to a chaotic world brought on by our enemy who controls a great deal of the messages we hear each day. Fuzzy “not that bad” thinking leads to failures. Clear biblical thinking leads to experiencing the good stuff Jesus has for us.
The source of clear thinking is Jesus and His Word. Fuzzy thinking gives us all the reasons we shouldn’t listen to Jesus. Clear thinking breaks through that fuzziness to listen to what we need to hear to experience victory. So, what did you hear in the Word today?
S“E”t Free Nowww

I remember playing baseball in high school. I also remember the day I put on my first pair of glasses. Wow, I didn’t realize that is what a thrown baseball looked like! Before what I thought was clear was actually fuzzy. Before I thought everyone saw the baseball like I did. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Now I was actually seeing what everyone else saw – a distinct rotating sphere of speed.
We believe what we’re thinking is sharp and clear. We make decisions based upon those “sharp and clear” thoughts as well. What if, however, what we’re seeing is fuzzy? This is why we need to be listening to Jesus in the Word of God. He and the Word are like my glasses. They expose that our thinking is not as sharp as it should be.
Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth.” He leaves no room for fuzziness with that statement. He is making a clear distinction between my way and His and our culture’s fuzzy definition of truth and His very clear and sharp definition.
The sharper image of truth, the more specific truths we put into our shields of faith, the more distinct our thoughts will be, which leads to a greater ability to defeat our enemy’s lies and experience victory over our drugs of choice. We’ve got to daily put on our glasses, the Word of God, if we want to experience the good stuff of the Life Jesus promised.
S“E”t Free Nowww

A friend of mine asked me today how I had lost so much weight. I said I don’t diet anymore. It’s really been about changing my eating lifestyle. Where is Jesus in that? No where. Bad me.
Yet, where did I get the biblical tools that helped me process life when I felt like eating like I used to – the seefood diet. I see it. I eat it. The Word of God. Who gave me the strength to pick up those tools when I was staring at a jar full of candy? The Spirit of God. Who gave me the ability to process my eating using those biblical tools to change my eating habits? Jesus. Therefore, who is the one who gave me the victory each step of the way? Jesus.
It’s easy to praise God when you see Him change other people’s lives or when you see an on the spot miracle in your own life. But what happens when it’s one faith step after another faith step that brings you closer to Jesus? It’s harder to see, but it’s still Jesus who was there every step of the way giving you victory over your drugs of choice.
The biblical life-changing tools come from the Word of God, without which there is very little hope for life-change. The power to pick them up comes from the Spirit of God, without Whom those tools stay in your tool belt. And the faith to exercise the truths when I don’t feel like it comes from Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Therefore, when victory comes all credit and praise should go to Jesus, not any eating program or my will-power to exercise that program.
It didn’t this morning. Yet, I’ve since asked His forgiveness for not giving Him the credit. I am declaring His praise to you now. Jesus thanks for the victory!
As you give Him credit with every faith step you take you’ll be prepared with the right answer to the question, “How did you lose so much weight?” And you’ll say, “I’m glad you asked. Jesus gave me the faith and strength every step of the way. I praise Him for the victory.”
Set Free Now“W”w

Expect to have tough days as you continue to get better at listening to and following Jesus. Those tough times, however, will be worth the faith effort.
God’s Word says as much in Galatians 6:7-9. “A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his flesh, from his flesh will repeat destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Yes, planting is hard work, but keep in mind that a harvest will follow. Listen to John’s words, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way love is made complete among us so that we have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him.” (1 John 4:16b-17)
The more we allow the Spirit to exchange us with Jesus, the greater our hope will be, and the greater the harvest of peace, joy and meaning in life will come. Keep sowing truth into your life through the Spirit’s power; and life, both now and forever, will be experienced.
Set Free No“WW”w