I saw a poster once that had a big yellow backhoe digging a hole with a tremendous amount of water spewing out of it that read: The First Law of Digging: If You’re in One Stop Digging.
I deal with so many people who keep taking their drugs of choice because they believe it’s impossible to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves. This is simply not true, though. Some holes may take longer than others, but we can stand on level ground and breathe fresh air again through the Spirit’s power. Jesus is The Redeemer!
Having said that, it’s much easier to stop digging while the hole is smaller than it is to climb out of a much bigger one!
Set Free No“W”ww

King Hezekiah, from the very beginning of his reign, challenged his people to learn from history (2 Chron. 29). His countrymen’s fathers turned their back on God; ceased worshiping Him by shutting down the Temple; and, stopped living His way by copying the lifestyles of the nations around them. Because of this, their forefathers were killed and enslaved by those nations, rather than ruling over them.
God, in His great love, sent messenger after messenger to get them to turn back to Him. But they wouldn’t listen as they were what the Bible calls “stiff necked.” They would not bow their head in surrender to Him.
Are you making excuses as to why you can’t get into and listen to Jesus through the Bible? Stiff necked. Are you even attempting to listen to and follow Jesus everyday everywhere? Stiff-necked.
Your God loves you. It’s much more pleasant to bow your head without the pressure rather than it is with it. Trust me. I know from experience. Relax your neck and learn from your past (fail forward) rather than repeat it. Relax your neck and you’ll rule rather than be ruled. You’ll be victorious rather than defeated.
Set Free No“W”ww

It’s been said, “It is easier to destroy than to build.” We all know this to be true, yet we do it to ourselves anyways. We can be our own worst enemies by how we talk to ourselves.
“I’m stupid. I’m ugly. I’m alone. I can’t do anything right.” The list could be longer of course, but why give you any more ammo. You already know the lie-filled broken tapes you play. These beat-me-up sessions are not only destructive, but they lead us down the path to our drug of choice.
In order to experience victory instead of defeat, let’s change the way we talk to ourselves. Here’s a simple exercise. Make a note, either write it on paper or type it into any electronic device, of all the adjectives you use to describe yourself, especially the ones after you say, “I am….” Circle in red all the adjectives or phrases that are either temporary or a lie. Put a red line through all of them. Then focus on and repeat to yourself the truths that remain or ask the Spirit to give you new truths to focus on during the battles you’re currently facing.
Believe me this works! I’ve done it. Here’s one the Spirit’s given me, “I’m a significantly secure child of God.” This truth is doing its job in my life as it helps me fight a battle I’m facing. Whether you build or destroy will depend on you and what you focus on.
“S”et Free Nowww

“The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2b)
“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)
Your God wants constant contact with you, but it starts with, “Do you want to be near Him?” It’s such a privilege to be able to be constantly in the presence of our God. It’s our choice, however, to listen to and follow Jesus everyday everywhere. Think your joy would rise exponentially as you constantly defeat your drugs of choice because you’re in constant contact with Jesus?
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God,” Brother Lawrence.
“S”et Free Nowww

Because we’ve been doing certain behaviors so long we’ve more than likely forgotten where the lie got into our thinking. To expose and exchange that lie with the truth, we must be willing to let the Spirit of God shine the light of truth into our lives so we can dig up the skeletons we had forgotten were there or had hoped to remain hidden.
It doesn’t matter how shallow or deep those skeletons are either. They are the reasons we continue to repeat the behaviors that are destroying our freedom and keeping us apart from Jesus, the source of all the good stuff.
It’s going to take Spirit led courage to start digging if you’re going experience the joy of on going freedom. Jesus has given you the shovel of security no matter what is found. The Spirit will give you the power to dig up only what needs to be exposed today. Therefore, the only question that remains is, “Are you going digging?” Start today. You’ll be rejoicing when you’re done.
Set Fr“E”e Nowww