Facing the Son

imageimageThis is ancient Shiloh, which the Israelis excavated right where the Bible says it would be. Funny how that works, huh? They also excavated where the Tabernacle stood. What’s pictured on the right is where the Holy of Holies once stood.
As the Tabernacle opened towards the east, those who worshipped the Lord had to face west with their backs toward the sun. This is the exact opposite direction for those who worshipped idols, who faced the sun.
In other words, one must turn their back on their idols, their drugs of choice, if they want to experience victory with each choice. One must turn their face toward God if they want to come into His presence where security, significance and love are found.
It was totally a kick to actually stand where God lived at one time on this planet! It was an awesome feeling. Yet, I know through the Son, I have everlasting access to the Father. I can stand in His presence no matter where I am on this planet. I can have victory every day if I choose to face the Son and listen to and follow His instructions. It’s not always easy to make this choice. Yet when I do, it always ends up with a smile on my face and peace in my heart.
Let me encourage you to face to the Son, rather than the sun.
S”E”t Free Nowww

Fight through Fear

imageWhat an interesting first day of Experience Israel 2014. At Independence Hall, we heard the story of one who said, “We don’t like having to send our children to the military. We want peace, but we do not apologize for wanting to live.” Fight through fear.
We met a Messianic family who reaches out to both Palestinians and Israelis with the love of Jesus…at a great cost. Intimidation tactics, physical threats and actual bodily harm have all been used against them to make them stop. Fight through fear.
We ended the day by visiting a military base and a museum that tells the story of Israel’s fight to exist both in the past and in the present. Fight through fear.
David Ortiz, a believer in Jesus, who faces tremendous amounts of persecution for his faith said, “You die each time you give into fear.” This made me stop and think. You die a little bit every time you let fear make your decisions? Wow. Then it hit me what he was trying to say. Fear keeps you from going forward towards Jesus, who is life. Thus, fear causes death as it separates you from The source of life.
Fear, not doubt, is the opposite of faith. Fear says, “I can’t take another step closer. It might hurt if I do.” Where doubt says, “I’m not sure if it will hurt, but I’m still going forward anyway. I’ve tasted Jesus and I want more.” Faith, trust, belief, whichever word you choose to use, draws you closer to Jesus as it enables to make healthy choices.
The Bible says that faith without works is dead, useless, has no value. If you say you believe in Jesus, you will fight through your fear and let Jesus run your life, not your fears. You will keep moving forward to get closer to and be more like the Jesus you say you believe in and love.
We don’t have to be afraid because of who our God is. As believers, Jesus paid the price for our right to eternal existence with Him today, tomorrow, and forever. Fight through your fears. Being believers in the Bible will bring persecution. Fight through your fears.
We don’t have to be afraid. Today is the day to exercise your faith. Jesus is well worth walking toward.
“S”et Free Nowww

Keep Walking

walking up a hillMan, it sure would be nice if Jesus finished His job early, like yesterday. What am I talking about? I wish He’d make me completely like Him right now. This battle to defeat my enemy and my drugs of choice is a daily battle that sometimes, I should say often times, is quite wearisome.
It’s at times like this that I must keep up my shield of faith that contains the truth that it takes time to retrain the brain. Paul said in Galatians 6:10, “Let us not us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we don’t give up.”
Keep walking forward my brothers and sisters, even if it seems like it’s uphill! God’s Word is true and will come true in your life. You’re in the process of becoming like your Savior. Give the process time, which you have a lot of it as we have eternity to know Jesus.
Set Free “N”owww

Not Fair or Is It?

not fairIn my BIG reading this morning I came upon an interesting passage. In 1 Kings 13, God sends an unnamed Judean prophet with a message to the Israeli King Jeroboam. God told the Judean prophet to return home by a different path without stopping to eat anywhere in Israel after giving the message.
Well on the way home an Israeli prophet stops him, says God told him to tell the Judean prophet to come eat at his home, which the Judean prophet does. At the meal the Israeli prophet told him he was going to die for disobeying God! How fair is that? Or is it?
The Judean prophet needed to keep up his shield of faith, regardless of who was speaking to him. He should have filtered what he heard this man say through this biblical filter. He died because he didn’t.
Was it fair? Fair or not there are dire consequences to letting down your shield of faith – the truths the Spirit gives you from the Word of God to fight off and filter out your enemy’s lies. Life isn’t fair, but just make sure you’re not the cause of your defeats. Keep your shield of up at all times, no matter who you’re talking to or where you’re at.
Set Fre“E” Nowww

Silence Can Be Golden

silence is goldenThis was a great morning. I took my daughter out for her birthday breakfast. I do this every year with each of my children. This year, due to the fact that I’ll be in Israel, my daughter and I went out few days early.
After having a wonderful time, she asked, “Dad, do you have time to cuddle?” What father could resist? This one surely couldn’t. So after arriving home, we got a blanket and snuggled up on the living room sofa. I then asked, “Is there anything you want to talk about or do you just want to cuddle?” Cuddling was enough.
Silence – both outside and inside – can make one uncomfortable driving them to their drug of choice – doing something. Some are afraid of silence as they might have to deal with something inside that doing allows them to avoid. Some are afraid of silence because their significance comes from accomplishments, even if it’s conquering a simple to-do list.
Yet a secure child of God is comfortable in their own skin; and thus can live with silence. Their significance comes from being with Jesus, not doing something for Jesus. They can live with silence because they actually trust their God to only bring up “stuff” He knows they are ready to see.
Can we be still? A secure child of God can. Doing does not equal significance. Being a secure child of God does. Can we be still? A secure child of God can. Doing something to hide our defects or hurts is unnecessary as we know our Father already sees everything and loves us anyway.
You can hang out (masculine term for cuddle) with your Father. Start today by calming your mind by focusing on a single truth about Jesus. Let Him take it from there. And remember, sometimes it doesn’t require talking at all.
This goes to the heart of the Psalmist’s statement, “Be still and know that I am God.” Yes my friend, silence can be golden.
“S”et Free Nowww