I heard a very thought provoking statement the other day. “The world has enough greatness, but not enough goodness.” In our search to find meaning in life, we often forget that goodness spreads faster than greatness.
We seek the impossible. We want the miracle. We desire the visible power of God. Okay, sure. Want to know what will make a bigger difference? Doing good. Only Jesus is truly good. As we let Him transform our lives with each decision, with the next choice, and follow Him, our actions will be good – every day, normal, vanilla good.
Think about that for a minute though. With all the evil we’re seeing in our world, what would happen if we all followed Jesus to let Him shine each day, how much good could be done to over come that evil? Remember, it was Jesus who said that the gates of hell can’t withstand the onslaught of Him making more and healthier disciples.
We see our brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East being murdered. You might be thinking, “What can little old me do?” Maybe nothing and therefore you’ll do nothing because you don’t feel you can do anything about it.
Wrong, we can do the good thing each day by listening to Jesus and following. And if enough of us who call ourselves believers in Jesus Christ choose every day goodness over a one time act of greatness, can you imagine the difference we could make in the battle against evil?
Doing the great thing, well, it kind of depends on too many circumstances. Yet, I can do the good thing each moment of today because of who lives within and empowers me – Jesus. Frankly, I’ll choose goodness over greatness anytime. How about you?
Set Free Now”W”w

We saw last time that our walkie-talkie is our last piece of God-given armor. Let that sink in. As a secure child of God, you can talk with the victorious Commander-in-Chief at any moment. You are that special to Jesus. That alone should make your day.
Now, let’s finish this thought from Ephesians 6:18. Paul writes on, “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the holy ones (saints).”
The word “always” means to do something continually. In this case, using your walkie-talkie for other children of God (saints). We’re to stay awake (alert), ready to do battle for each other. I know I talked about this last week, but the Spirit put upon my heart to reiterate this truth. We need each other to fight our battle with us.
It’s interesting that the word for “struggle” in verse 12 describes a wrestling match. Now, wrestling is usually a one on one match. Yet, the Spirit is telling us, “Why fight fair against your enemy? He won’t. Why should you?” It’s a wrestling match where more than one wrestler can enter the ring. We must have each others’ backs. Soldiers do not go to war alone and neither should believers.
First, have someone who is entering the ring with you. Second, be ready for the Spirit to nudge you to use your walkie-talkie at any time, day or night, work or at play, to do battle on each others’ behalf. And finally, don’t be afraid to text/call/email/Skype/Facebook messenger or whatever other device you have at your disposal to reach out to your prayer warriors so they can do battle for you…no matter what time of day it is! Battles are not always fought when it’s convenient. But they will be won as we hit our knees for each other.
You need it. They need it. And we both win when we do it.
“S”et Free Noww“W”

We live in a communication savvy society. Yet, most of us are lousy God talkers. Ephesians 6 talks about the believer’s armor; and yet, we often fail to recognize prayer as our last piece of equipment.
I want to translate Ephesians 6:18 literally. Paul writes, “through all prayer and petitions pray at all times in the Spirit.”
First, there is no stoppage in Paul’s discourse between verse 17 and 18. Second, the verb “pray” is in a form that takes its meaning from the previous verb “take” in verse 17. Thus, the believer is instructed to take their helmet, their sword and now their communication device/prayer. Just as we are to keep wearing our helmet and swinging our sword, we must keep talking with Jesus through the Spirit “at all times.”
What part of “all” doesn’t take into consideration what time of day it is? If you stop talking with Jesus, you’re going to have an extremely tough time experiencing victory over “the devil’s schemes,” who’s goal is to get you to take your drug of choice (i.e. satisfy your needs your way).
Keep your communication lines open. Be ready to hear Jesus give you vital intel on the battle coming your way. He will show you when and where to use the Sword – the specific lie-fighting truths you’ve input into your brain, and where to put your shield of faith in those truths to ward off the flaming lies heading your way. Keep talking with Him.
Here’s a closing thought. If you talk to yourself, why not catch yourself and take that same time to talk with Jesus. He is the power source on the path to victory.
S“E”t Free Nowww

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you – the problem isn’t always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can’t explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So, does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!
Author Unknown
Set Free Noww“W”

Let’s continue with last entry’s thought on the story Jesus told of the seed and four soils. In them, Jesus never mentions water. Yet, the seed can only go so far without water, no matter what soil it’s planted in.
I’ve seen this truth in action in the wheat fields close to my home. The early rains allow the seed to initially grow. Right now, I can see plenty of green stems and leaves over some 200+ acres. This initial rain, however, will only go so far. If these fields don’t get another dousing, this growth becomes stunted. The seed will not bear fruit as the head containing the wheat kernels isn’t produced. This farmer isn’t irrigating his fields. He is totally dependent on nature’s rain, a source outside himself, as his water source. This is called dry-land farming.
This story has tremendous power for a healthy Jesus disciple. You absolutely, positively need the seed. No seed means no fruit. But the story doesn’t stop there. You’ll also bear no fruit if you don’t get help from a source outside yourself. We need the watering of the Holy Spirit and other believers (1 Cor. 3:6 – Apollos watered, but God caused the growth).
You can’t become more like Jesus without the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the people of God. Prayerfully, you’re planting and being with the Word of God throughout your day. Please, don’t stop there. Ask to be watered! Ask the Spirit to empower you to make Christ-like decisions wherever you are (Gal. 5:25). Be ready to pray for or receive prayer from other believers (James 5:16) no matter the time of day.
We must have the seed, the right soil (surrendered heart focused on Jesus), and a source of water if we want to become like Jesus. If you don’t have a fellow believer ready to and already praying for you, may I suggest you download a BIG card in the Resources tab and get started? I speak fresh from victory this past week because of the prayers of my wife and my Bible Impact partners. I needed their “raining” prayers and so do you.
Set Free Now“WW”