I’ve traveled to a few countries and to various parts of the US. I’ve loved every one of them. The food is different. The people are different. The music, movies and TV shows are different. What they wear to the beach is different. Even what’s an appropriate word can be different. Notice I didn’t say any particular culture is better or worse, just different.
The question for the believer in Jesus is, who decides how you live in those different locations – the culture or Christ? The answer sounds obvious, but is it? AW Tozer once said, “One compromise here, another there and soon enough the so-called Christian and the man in the world look the same.” When someone can’t tell the difference a believer and a pre-believer in Jesus, culture decided.
Yes, we live in the world, but we are not to be like it. Christ is a wonderful example of this. He lived in a Jewish world, yet He broke all kinds of cultural taboos when He visited the woman at the well in John 4. Paul speaks about this in Ephesians 4:8-10, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Jesus found what pleased His Father, not His culture, and did it.
Not all cultures have it wrong, but none have it all right either. The Word of God must be our filter to discover what pleases the Lord, no matter where we find ourselves on this planet. Tozer went on to say, “What you do not absolutely surrender and give up to God comes between you and God.” Do you want a certain TV show, clothing item, or word coming out of your mouth to become between you and Jesus? The Bible calls this separation, death.
Don’t let your culture come between you and Jesus, even if it’s a Christian one. Instead, continue to use the FREEdom process to filter your culture through so you can stay focused on allowing the Spirit to change you into Jesus’ image. Then go disciple others to do the same. Guess what? The culture will change.
Set “FREE” Nowww

I was reading the comics yesterday where the main character answers the door dripping wet with a towel wrapped around his waist and says, “Could you come back at a more opportune time?” The person who knocked was carrying a suitcase that read, “Opportunity.”
We often think the phrase “opportunity knocks” is about being ready to take advantage of a good situation when it presents itself. Though this is true, I’d like to put a different spin on it.
How about being prepared for when opportunities disguised as challenges come your way, are you ready to use them to become more like Jesus? Great opportunities may never come your way, but challenges certainly will.
Use your FREEdom process to practice exchanging your “have to obey” mentality with an attitude of gratitude. Remember, we don’t have to do anything for Jesus, but we have the awesome privilege of doing what we do with Him. We get to walk and talk with the King of the Universe wherever we go throughout our day!
As we practice making this exchange, we’ll be ready for all the opportunities that come our way to draw closer to Jesus – the great ones as well as the challenging ones. I know. I’m experiencing the later at the moment; and I’ll tell ya, peace sure feels good.
Set “FREE” Nowww

“At age 3, Isaiah Austin had already attended basketball camp and could dribble between his legs. Despite being blind in one eye and lacking depth perception, Austin worked tirelessly in pursuit of his lifelong dream: playing in the NBA.
“The 7-foot Baylor University center, described as having ‘limitless potential that inspires daydreams,’ was projected to be top-round pick in this year’s NBA draft. Yet four days before the draft, the results of a blood test showed that Austin has Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. High-level physical exertion could rupture his heart. The diagnosis ended his basketball career immediately.
“What happened next was truly inspiring: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, with great compassion and kindness, invited Austin to attend the high-profile NBA draft event, then fulfilled one part of the dream by ceremoniously “drafting” Austin in the first round.
“But what Austin did is most remarkable of all. Calling his reversal of fortune an opportunity for a ‘new beginning,’ Austin tweeted: ‘Blessed is all I can say. Thankful is all I can be. I know God has a plan.’
“Austin promptly created a Dream Again campaign to support the Marfan Foundation, and is spreading the message of not taking anything for granted. Many people talk about having faith, but one never knows until they are tested at the core. This week, Isaiah Austin showed that he walks the walk. ‘I have a whole life ahead of me,’ he said. ‘When one door closes, God opens another.’”
When Austin was squeezed by life, Jesus oozed out for all to see. Oh by the way, the preceding article was written by Rabbi Shraga Simmons. What a Jesus story as Austin has an every day faith that others can see.
“S”et Free Nowww

A sports journalist recently asked a very famous baseball player and recovering drug user why he doesn’t watch ESPN, follow any of the critics, or read anything written about him. The athlete answered, “I separate myself from that stuff because it will drive you crazy. The best thing you can do is not read it at all. All that can do is bring resentment and bitterness. You can’t live a productive life having that stuff in you.”
Sounds like the FREEdom process in action, doesn’t? This athlete is a strong believer in Jesus who knows that if he lets the journalist’s negative critiques of his play enter his brain, that line of coke is just waiting for him around the corner. He also knows that he has no control over what others think or say about him.
He does have control over his walk with Christ. He does have control over his choice to “do the good works” God created him to do, which in this one instance is to play baseball. He knows that whatever he does in word or in deed, he’s to do it all “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Because of this, the writer noted, “For someone who smiles a lot, the guy really knows how to take the fun of this business.” This athlete smiles because he’s living in freedom, not just from his drugs of choice, but because he’s filtering out the negative responses of others that could cost him his freedom.
Know who you’re playing for…and it’s not to please the critics! You’re a secure of child God who can please Jesus by doing what He asks you to do with and for Him. So play for Him. Let His smile will rub off onto your face!
“S”et Free Nowww

A special ops officer once said, “When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Live your life that the fear of death never enters your heart.”
A healthy secure child of God never has to fear death or waste time regretting how they lived because they’re too busy experiencing real living right now. As a secure child of God chooses to use the tools from their life giving toolbox, the Bible, they’ll experience the life Jesus gives – one with meaningful purpose and life-connecting love.
My friends, God is not dead, but alive and well. He wants to walk with His children wherever they are at each given moment throughout their day. Each task done in His presence is real life being experienced. Choose then to walk with Jesus today in your thoughts, your emotions, your words and your actions; and you’ll never regret how you lived and be ready to leave this planet because you’ll already be and feel alive.
“S”et Free Nowww