When we understand and act upon who we are in Christ – children of God (Jn. 1:12) – even when times are tough our sense of well-being sky rockets. It’s as the Psalmist says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” A research study that followed the winners of multi-million dollar jackpots reiterates this truth. This study “found that a year after the windfall, big lottery winners were generally less happy than before.”
A Christian website noted, “Trusting that God’s love is real and faithful offers a freedom unknown by even those with billions. Money can be lost overnight. Houses can burn. The stock market can crash. Yet, those who trust in God’s abounding love know that whatever happens, however scary the situation, everything will work out for great things. He clothes the lilies. He watches over the sparrows. He is good. When mountains can be tossed into the sea by a word, they lose much of their ability to cause stress. They become another way for God to show His wonderful power. What life could be happier than walking, child-like, hand-in-hand with the Creator of the Universe?”
“S”et Free Nowww

I heard the thumping sound of a helicopter loud and clear. I stopped walking and scanned the sky looking for it. I could hear it alright, but I just couldn’t see it. After about 3 minutes of searching, I finally saw it flying directly over my head.
I could hear the helicopter long before I could see it. It’s the same with victory over our drugs of choice. We must first choose to believe the truths found in the Word of God, before we see the results in our lives. Jesus talked about this John 8:31-32. He said that if you trust Him by putting what He says to do into action, then and only then will you know it’s true and see results – being set free. First you hear and look for the helicopter and then you’ll see it. First, you hear and practice the Word and then you’ll you see it work in your life. Seeing results starts with believing.

Se“T” Free Nowww

I love being next to the ocean and not just because of the cool breezes either. As a kid, I would write in the sand only to have the water erase what I just wrote. The water washed away my misspellings and the words that were not expressing what I wanted to say.
This reminds me of what the Word of God can do with the lies in our heads, lies that lead us away from Jesus. As we read the Word, the Spirit can wash our brains of these lies so that we can have victory throughout our day (Eph. 5:25-26).
If you want victory, it’s wash’n time. You’ve got to read the Word so the washing can begin. All excuses that you don’t have time to read are just that, excuses. Then, once you’re in the Word, slow down and don’t make your Bible reading a to-do list item to be checked off. Instead, read the Word and let the Spirit point out truths that you need to wash away the lie-based messages in your head. As you allow the Word and Spirit of God to wash your brain, your victories will increase.

S“E”t Free Nowww

God really spoke to me through my BIG reading this morning. I was in the OT book of Habakkuk of all places where 3:17-19 reads, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”
From a human perspective, this person was in big trouble. An agricultural society depended on all of these for their livelihood. In other words, this person was flat broke! Yet, He was rejoicing and secure about the next step he’d take in life. The reason is where his eyes were…on the LORD, not his circumstances. This person knew what their God could do despite the circumstances they faced. This is exactly what Paul states in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
This is a beautiful illustration about how living with a Biblical worldview operates in the real world. We’ve all faced dire circumstances of one kind or another. We must come to grips with this reality. Life can be tough. Understand this, though, Jesus came to give you a better life, not the good life. He’s more concerned about exchanging your sin-stained character with His holy and victorious One than He is about the circumstances that helped this process this along.
Can your God come through in tight situations? If so, it’s time to trust Him by living with a Biblical worldview in the midst of your circumstances rather than by asking Him to change them.
Set “Free” Nowww

In an old Indiana Jones movie there’s a great fight scene where “Indy” is trying to save the day. Then a friend of mine, who also saw the movie, asked me, “Hey, did see the part where Indy eats a fly?” I thought they were joking…until I re-watched the movie. Sure enough, one second there is a fly buzzing around Indy’s mouth and the next second it’s gone! I would have never noticed it had not a friend pointed it out to me. It’s the same with our walks with Jesus. We need other believers to see things that we just won’t see.
A few weeks back I was told through a common friend that I had eaten the fly by hurting another friend’s feelings. I was clueless as to what I had done so I called this person up to find out what I had done and to clear the air. Come to find out, they thought I didn’t like them because I raised my voice during a discussion a group of us were having. You have to know me, but when I get excited about something, the pitch and volume of my voice tends to rise. I’m not angry at all, just excited. When my friend told what I had done, I quickly asked for their forgiveness, which they did, and said that’s something the Spirit is working on in my life.
We can’t “see” everything in our lives. Sometimes the Spirit will point out flies all by Himself. Other times He will use other believers. If you’re going to live with a Biblical worldview and taste and see that your Lord is indeed good, you will need other believers to loving point out what you simply can’t see. I praise God for my friend who pointed out where I’d eaten the fly. Do you have someone who will apply James 5:16 with you? If so, are you in a Bible Impact with them? If not, it’s time you do. You’re eating flies and not even knowing it.

Set Free Noww“W”