Security Beyond Secure

Look at the picture to the left. What do you see? Hopefully what catches your eye is the huge rock in the lower right hand corner. This city wall was built upon a rock! There is no way an enemy could dig under this section of the wall, especially in the days when they didn’t have TNT.
This is a picture of what David is talking about in 2 Samuel 22:2-3. David’s security wasn’t found in his position as king, his military skills and abilities (which brought him tremendous fame), his looks, his money, or in anything else that could be taken away from him.
No, David’s security, peace of mind and strength came from his close relationship with his God. When life struck and it does to all of us, David stood upon the Rock. His mind went to Who his God is and how his God could help him face any and every situation that life threw at him. Keep in mind that there were people who wanted David’s head! Yet David kept his by standing upon the Rock, heading into the truths of God’s fortress for protection.
We have the same security as children of God. Because of what Jesus, not what we do or don’t do, we have a rock solid foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11) that can’t be undermined or exploded. Where will your mind go when the car breaks down or the bills pile up? You can be secure beyond secure when you stay focused on Jesus and keep listening to Him.

“S”et Free Nowww

One Step at a Time

There is a fable that goes something like this. “One day an ant asked a centipede, ‘How do you know which leg to move next?’ The centipede pondered the question and replied, ‘I guess I’ve never thought about it.’ But the more he thought about the question, the more perplexed he became until finally he was so confused he couldn’t walk at all.”
We get so wrapped up in trying to figure everything out, why this is happening, why that didn’t happened and a multitude of all sorts of other questions that we simply forget to walk with Jesus! We contemplate our navels to the point that we, not Satan or others, rob of us the joy and peace Jesus wants to bring into and burst forth from our lives.
If God was willing to send Jesus to die for you and make you His child, will He not continue to provide for you along the way (Rom. 8:31-32)? Stop over thinking life and live it! Let’s stop thinking about ourselves and be ready for the opportunities to bring hope to those around us, those who don’t yet realize that Jesus is the answer.
So relax, keep listening to and doing what Jesus says to do each step of the way and be ready to let others know where your hope comes from.

“S”et Free Nowww

Get Rid of the Garbage!

There a numerous open patches of land around our house. I always find it interesting why people feel they can throw their garbage, torn up sofas and badly used beds on these vacant pieces of land. Instead, you can replace them with new ones from Konservatory.
I’ve seen owners put up signs, “No Dumping,” “You are under surveillance,” and “Keep out private property,” to no avail. The dumping continues and the owner has three options to deal with it. They can fence in their property, which is quite cost prohibitive. They can let the trash pile up, which is a fire and health hazard. Or, they can clean it up.
It’s the same way with people. You can put up a fence, your boundaries, to keep people from dumping on you through their hurtful words and actions. This option will work some of the time, but not always. This leaves Options #2 and #3: you can let the garbage pile up, causing you both physical and mental health problems or you can clean it up through forgiveness and experience peace (Col. 3:13).
I hear a, “It’s not fair. I’m not the one throwing the garbage out!” coming. You’re right it’s not fair. We live in a fallen world, however, where it will happen whether we like it or not. Yet fairness doesn’t help you take out the garbage. The person who tossed it your way might never come clean it up (i.e. ask your forgiveness). Will you choose to leave it there and let the smell of it rob you of your joy or will you clean it up through forgiveness and keep your joy? Make the faith choice to follow Jesus and get rid of the garbage by forgiving others as He forgave you – a lot!

Set Free N“O”www

Rabbit Trails

It’s so interesting to watch rabbits scurry away when I walk past them. You can see their trails all over the hills caused by them running misdirection plays to keep their enemies away from their homes. These trails lead no where in particular and to follow them would be a waste of time. This is where we get the phrase “rabbit trails” because we can waste time doing unproductive activities that make us feel useless and like a loser, which can lead us down a path to our drug of choice.
From our point of view “rabbit trails” are a waste of time, but not from the rabbit’s perspective! Their lives depend upon acting this way. Same trail, but two very different out comes.
This goes to why you need to listen to and do what Jesus says so to do (i.e. a Biblical worldview) for yourself. What He might say to someone else to give them victory might not be what He needs to say to you. What He might say you can do with your eating habits, He knows someone else can’t do or it would harm them.
Stay away from comparing your life with others. Be the child of God He made you by listening to your Father for yourself. You’ll be happier if you do.

“S”et Free Nowww

Turf Wars

No, I’m not talking about gang warfare. I’m talking about the battles that take place in the home between husband and wife. It’s the arguments that arise when needs and/or expectations are not clearly communicated. Uncommunicated expectations can never be met creating “losers.” Unbiblical expectations, even when expressed, will also never be met, which means eternal frustration in the home and more fights. In either case, one person is unhappy and unfulfilled, which brings on the need to hold their ground (aka turf) and “fight” so they can win and hopefully feel better about themselves.
This is where another one of the “good works” God has for us (Eph. 2:10) enters the real world, the world of your marriage. Jesus wants to use each spouse to help their partner become more like Him. This good work in marriage is to stop the turf wars! Either partner can call a time out and arrange a moment to talk at the first opportune time. Both parties can now reduce the noise in their heads by listening to Jesus (i.e. a Biblical worldview). “What is it that I really want? Does what I want line up with the Word of God? If not, am I willing to allow the Spirit to change me; thus stopping the turf war? If so, have I clearly communicated this need so the other person understands exactly what I want (Eph. 4:29)? Am I asking something from my mate that only God can give me?”
It takes the first principle of the Set Free Nowww to start this process: Being secure because you’re God’s child. He meets your needs, not your partner, though at times He may use your partner. He can show you if what you’re fighting over is something He wants for you (i.e. biblical). He can show you how to communicate with your partner.
It takes a secure child of God to create an atmosphere where Jesus is heard and not us. When this happens, it’s no longer about winning or holding onto our turf, but becoming more like Jesus where both spouses win.
“S”et Free Nowww