There is some pretty good theology in the comics at times. In the first frame, Garfield says, “I’m feeling down. Pooky, any words of encouragement?”
In the next frame, Garfield says with a sad look, “No?”
In the final frame, he says with a grin running ear to ear, “Pooky’s just there.” (The Press Enterprise, 10/24/13). Pooky is a stuffed animal by the way. No words were spoken. It was merely the presence of another that brought encouragement.
This is a wonderful example of the importance of walking with other believers. Sometimes all it takes is another person’s presence to encourage us to keep walking with Jesus. At other times, it’s a listening ear that allows us blow off a little steam that keeps us from taking our drugs of choice.
Will you allow someone into your world? If you have, will you pick up your 100 pound phone and make the call when you sense your face turning red? Let someone in. Make that call, today.
Set Free Noww“W”

Remodeling is never easy or clean. In order to accomplish the end result, sometimes large sections of the old house must be taken down. This can be dirty, exhaustive and uncomfortable work. It’s totally necessary, however, if we want to see a beautiful more functional finished product.
It’s the same with our lives. Our God can see the big picture. He knows what must be torn down, specific character flaws, and what it must be replaced with, Christ’s eternal character. This life-change process is neither easy nor comfortable; but totally necessary if we want to be more like the Prince of Peace.
As secure children of God, demolition day is coming or for some it’s already upon you. We can either surrender gracefully to the process or fight it. Do you trust the General Contractor that it’s worth the effort to pick up and use your biblical tools and let Him bring about a more functional finished product in the end? Trust me. It hurts, but it’s worth it.
“S”et Free Nowww

“Ezra devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD.” (Ez. 7:10) There is an important principle hidden within this verse that leads to a healthier faith.
It is often thought in Christianity that getting into the “meat of the Word” is about learning new facts from Scripture. This is a misinterpretation of Hebrews 5:13. Yes, we need truth from the Word, but the “and” is just as important. We must be able to “distinguish between good and evil” and be “trained in righteousness” as well.
Healthy believers are not simply data gatherers but data observers as well. Our brains were not only meant to store data. They were also meant to process that data, which eventually comes out in our behavior. These behaviors can either hurt or help us on our journey to become more like Jesus.
Thus, the reason for reading the Word of God comes into focus. Do you do it to check it off your to-do list or to learn something new? It should be to hear from Jesus to input the truths you need into your biblical processor so you can walk closer to Him everyday everywhere.
S“E”t Free Nowww

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