I listened to a lot different music styles growing up. When I became a believer, though, Christian radio pretty much played only hymnal music. These songs and style might have been contemporary in their day, but not mine. Because of this, what was I going to listen to? It was either not listen to music at all or I had a lot of filtering to do. I chose the latter. I listened to the lyrics. If they lined up with the Bible I kept the record. If they didn’t, I didn’t.
I remember the lyrics to one particular song: “You can run but you cannot hide/This is widely known/And what do you plan to do with your foolish pride/When you’re all by yourself alone.”
People are going to hurt us. We have two options when they do. We can run away from the hurt or process it through our biblically-based truth filter. If we physically run, we still go with us. If we emotionally run, we still go with us. We can’t run from the thoughts in our heads!
I’ll bet you have a third option in mind. You’ll try to push those thoughts down and pretend they don’t exist. The problem with this option is that those thoughts eventually will squeeze out in your behavior, often in a negative way, and may even cause physical problems.
Running away from a challenge is no more effective than trying to run away from what’s in your head. You may run and you may live, but you will never run and be free! If you want to be free from the pain and the disappointment, process them using the FREEdom principles. Yes, it may hurt, but only temporarily. In the long run, you win as you replace that hurt with a closer walk with Jesus.

Set “FREE” Nowww

In its simplest form, living with a Biblical worldview means to listen to and do what Jesus says in every situation. He asked me to accomplish a certain task (it doesn’t matter what it was as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that even eating is to be done His way) and this past weekend that’s exactly what I did. It felt great…until the enemy started pushing.
I was relieved the task was over. I felt a strong sense of accomplishment. Frankly, I felt good! Then, what seemed from like out of nowhere, I started to feel agitated. If I had just stopped to think about it (FREEdom principles), I knew it would be coming. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 that we should “watch and pray” so we don’t fall. The moment you step out on faith in doing what Jesus tells you to do, your enemy will want to start pushing you toward your drugs of choice.
My filter, however, was in the “off” position. Not a smart thing to do and that is why there was no Monday post. It took me longer than it should have to process this agitation. What in the world did I have to be angry about? I did what Jesus said to do!
The enemy loves to attack right after a victory, so expect it (“watch and pray”)! Put up your shield of your faith and shove right back in the Spirit’s power.

Set Free No“W”ww

We’ve come to the end of another work week. Hopefully, your week has been like mine. I’ve experienced a lot of victories. I’ve walked in Jesus’ presence. I’ve seen Him guide me in some tough decisions. I’ve past some life-tests. It’s been fun walking with my God.
In the midst of this wonderful Jesus story, I’ve also experience a few defeats. I’ve stumbled and taken His hand to get up and walk again. I don’t like to fall, but learning to live with a Biblical worldview is a process. It’s not a quick fix. We live in hostile territory where our enemy wants to trip us up at every step. He wants to rob us of our freedom, not ensure we have it.
Living with a Biblical worldview is a tool to make the choice to walk with Jesus throughout our day. Living this way will not happen over night, or in a week. It’s a day by day renewal.
This week we’ve talked about going a new direction by becoming more selfless. The scriptural process to make this happen takes time. I would love to say otherwise. The truth is, however, there are no easy fixes or pills to pop to solve our problems or remove our drugs of choice.
Don’t let your enemy beat you up over the process God made. Relax. Becoming like Jesus is not easy, but it’s certainly worth it.

Set Free “N”owww

God loves you, but so stinking what? You might be thinking, “Wow, that’s a harsh statement.” Yes, I know. Here’s why I make it.
91% of born again Christians know that God loves them. They hear it at church. They can even read the placards at football games. Yes, they are loved. Yet because of other held beliefs, it doesn’t translate into their everyday life; thus, they don’t live with a Biblical worldview.
Research shows that these Christians do not believe Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. Among other things, this means that Jesus made mistakes. They also hold the belief that God is not the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe who rules today. He is in-effect powerless to do anything in their universe.
No wonder Christianity is just a Sunday only faith to them. Their view of Jesus keeps them from turning to Him. He can’t help them because He messes up just like they do! They can go to Jesus when they need a hug, but not when it comes to daily decisions. He didn’t have the power to keep away from His own drugs of choice, let alone have the power to help them with theirs.
It’s also no wonder why their lives are so unsatisfying. They are trying to live each day in their own limited power. It’s no surprise as well that they go to church two to three times a month hoping their lives will get better, but to only end up “hanging in there” each day until Jesus comes. This is not the life Jesus promised to give those who follow Him!
Jesus came to give us freedom from our drugs of choice (Jn. 8:31-32). He can do this because He never sinned. Jesus also came to give us eternal life that starts today (Jn. 17:1-3). He can make this happen because He is God Almighty.
If you’re hanging in there without hope, maybe it’s time to examine and change what you believe about Jesus. What you believe does indeed affect how you live today, tomorrow and for eternity.

Se“T” Free Noww

One of the reasons we play music (i.e. worship songs) during our church service is they help us come into Jesus’ presence throughout the week, not just on Sunday. Right now the song How He Loves by the David Crowder Band is playing in my head.
Here’s a portion of the lyrics. “He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree/Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy/When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory/And I realize just how beautiful You are/And how great Your affections are for me/And oh, how He loves us so/Oh how He loves us/How He loves us all.”
We must come to grips with how much our God loves us if we are to walk down that new street toward Jesus and freedom. Once we realize that our path to living doesn’t satisfy, we must choose another path. There seem to be so many from which to choose. Which one will you walk down?
Life has its share of hurricanes that bend us like trees in its strong winds. In His great love for us God uses those strong winds to shape us into Jesus’ image, the only path to satisfaction. Hopefully, we’ll bend to His wind in order to choose His path on a daily basis. Once we make this decision we’ll see just how wonderful our God is. Our God loves like a hurricane. Bend to His will and you’ll find what you’re looking for in life – Jesus’ love.
“S”et Free Nowww