A brother and I were talking about the Feast of Shouts that recently came and went this past Sunday. This led to a discussion on Jesus coming for His bride or what some call the Rapture.
My brother said, “Why is it that believers are always asking Jesus to come when they’re in the midst of tough times or simply tired of living on this planet; instead of being so in love with Him they simply can’t wait to be with Him?”
I thought it about it. It wasn’t the former just days before my wedding date! I couldn’t wait to take my new bride (until then she was my girl-friend/best friend/fiancé) into my arms for the first time. Let me tell you. It was a joyous anticipation. I also know what I wasn’t thinking. “Wow, life is such a bummer. I can’t wait to get down the aisle.”
Are you only asking for His return when life is a stinker? Jesus is the lover of your soul. He is your best friend. You are His bride/fiancé. Let your mind entertain this truth. And your face will radiate with the joyous anticipation of Him gathering you in His arms and taking you home. What a witness to the love of Jesus, right?
S“E”t Free Noww
Uncomfortable Faith
A guy looks at his friend and says, “Oh, great…we locked ourselves out again” as he pulls on a door labeled Comfort Zone. This is a great definition of faith…out of your comfort zone.
Hebrews 11:1 states faith is the “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” In other words, faith means to get out of your comfort zone where you can handle things into an arena where you can’t. It’s where we must rely on Jesus and His power to take the faith steps He’s asking us to take.
Walking with Jesus requires an uncomfortable faith. I have to admit I dislike the next sentence, but it’s true nonetheless. Let the Spirit move us out of our comfort zones into a closer walk with and deeper love of Jesus.
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Head Check
The author was focusing on those who were getting ahead by, let’s just say, less that righteous ways. It bummed him out big time. Yet he ends by saying, “It’s good for me to be close to God. My Sovereign Lord is my refuge.” (Psalm 73)
The writer had to do a head check. Sovereign means having the overall power and authority. Who was that – the “seemingly” winner or Jesus? Once he was able to see through his distractions and focus on the Lord (FREEdom process), he was able to get back to where the good stuff was located – God’s presence.
Life is full of distractions as well as things that we’ll never understand. There will always be why questions left unanswered. The real question is, though, will you let those draw you closer to or away from Jesus?
It is good/your best interest to be close to Jesus. When you feel your attitude heading south, it’s head check time. Where’s your focus – on the One who has control or those who don’t? Get back and stay focused on the truths Jesus gives you from His Word.
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Live Lighter Today
Psalm 68:19 seemed so strange to me that I had to dig a little deeper. It basically says to kneel (Praise) to the Sovereign Master (be to the Lord) who day by day carries our burdens (who daily bears our burdens). He is the one who makes us safe, rescues us (to God our Savior). Stop the music. Let what was said hang in the air for a moment (Selah).
God is saying to you and to me, “Slow down and think about what you just read. I, your Master carry your daily burdens; when in reality, as My creation, you should be carrying My stuff. Think about that for a moment. I’m carrying what weighs you down. So why do you carry it around as well? I’m your rescuer, so let Me!”
God takes what’s bothering and weighing us down, so why are we? Let Him rescue/save you from it today. Give it to Him, literally. Visualize what’s bothering you as rocks in backpack. One by one hand them over to Jesus. And if you take a rock back, give it back to Him again, and again and again. Live lighter today! Don’t you think it’s time?
Set Free No“W”ww
Give It Your All
I agree with those who say that we should be passionate about our lives. In other words, are we living each day with regrets for what we didn’t do or are we giving it our all?
Colossians 3:17 states, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” What part of whatever, doesn’t mean total effort in everything we do throughout our day?
Jesus deserves our best effort. Think about it. When all has been said and done on this earth, it will be His name that everyone bows down to, right?
Be able to say when you look back on today, “Jesus, I did the best my current faith allowed me to in following You in everything I did.” It will bring peace to your heart and prayer to your lips for the next day’s increased faith to follow a little closer behind Him.
Set Free Now“W”w