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Yesterday, we spoke about the steering principle of words.

Today’s steering principle is works.

At some point, words have to put on overalls. These are the active decisions you make in the direction you want to go, prioritising actions that lean toward your dream.

Many SAY they want to be a writer but never put their butt in the chair to write. Would-be composers who never pick up their instruments. Closet creatives who sit behind good intentions.

Remember this:

It’s only in the doing that you develop.

Developing greatness in any pursuit requires habit-muscles that are well built.

Here’s what Paul said to his disciple, Timothy:

“Exercise thyself rather unto godliness…” (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV)

The word “exercise” here literally means “to practise naked.”

That’s why many talk but don’t do.

The practice part is exposing. Embarrassing even. It draws attention to our most unseemly parts and leaves us ready to run and hide again in the mediocre crowd. Let’s face it. It’s far easier to stand on the sidelines judging what others are doing than climbing into the ring yourself.

That’s one reason I choose to cheer you on. To champion your cause and creativity. It is not easy, and we need supporters.

On the Creative Highway, a self-paced online experience I developed for Christian creatives, students (I prefer to call them fellow travellers), one of the exercises is to create a “fearless declaration.”

Recently, David C shared his heartfelt words with the group. Here are a few sentences from his declaration that resonated so deeply with me:

“Knowing deep down that I'm loved and accepted for who I am changes everything about how I approach life and the things I create. God's unconditional love gives me peace. It means I can try new things, make mistakes, learn, and create without being afraid of failure. I was made to do good things! Things that were planned out way before I even existed. I'm meant to create!” — David C

What’s not to love about this rooted word!

Recognising our identity in Christ as a creator, and then allowing Him to lead us to take fearless action is what the Creator’s Highway is all about. To join go to https://christiancreative.academy/ and see where it will lead you.

Without exception, every great writer once put their first word on a page.

Every painter brushed their primary stroke.

Every dancer took their initial step.

Sure, it may feel risky. It may feel exposing.

But the exhiliration of transforming ideas into actions is one of the most maginifcent muscles you can exercise, and it just gets stronger with every step you take, every creative rep you make, and every word that takes the leap to become a work of grace!

Left to the waves, your boat will wind up on the rocks. The sirens of the world will seduce you to chase their deadly call.

The currents of the world are strong and very insistent.

To move with God requires contrarian intention.

You cannot let your direction in life be determined by default.

If you exert no energy steering your ship, the currents will carry you anywhere. They will dumb you down to the common denominators, sweep you into a swirl of self-doubt, and leave you marooned in a life you never wanted.

Scripture urges:

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14–15 KJV)

Note this carefully.

How do we henceforth (from this moment on) be no more tossed back and forth at the mercy of the waves?

– Speak the truth!

The rudder right below your nose is the answer to your problems. Your spirit is the pilot.

“Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member” (James 3:4–5 KJV)

So here is the steering principle number 2:

You will have what you say.

The words that you speak matter.

The thoughts and beliefs that fill your heart and mouth affect your direction in life.

Speak ONLY those things that align with God’s word and refuse to amplify your doubts. Don’t lie, but be very selective in your agreements. Don’t agree with the devil’s assessments, cut him down to size with “it is written”.

Your mouth produces. Your words bring things forth (they make things happen):

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good… for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45 KJV)

Selah.

For an in depth teaching on this subject check out my book, Choose Your Words Change Your World.

The Bible is not just a book to be READ – it is a book to be SAID!

If I could hand you a key that is guaranteed to change your life and circumstances; a principle that places the supernatural power of God on tap for every situation in your life and ministry, would you want to know what it is?

Thankfully the Scriptures make plain how we are to engage with God and receive and release His transforming power consistently in our everyday lives.

In this practical Spirit-filled book pastor and Bible teacher, David Lee Martin unpacks the amazing truth concerning the power of the words that you speak and shows clearly how you can apply this truth to change your world and the world of those around you.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” Proverbs 18:21

This edition includes a comprehensive teaching on the power of words and three complete volumes of powerful personalized Biblical confessions drawn from Paul’s letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians

Read on Amazon

There are a few steering principles I apply to my author/creator business.

One:

Your business should work for me, not the other way around.

Work hard, of course, or better described, “work well”.

Don’t become your own glorified (and often underpaid) employee.

Build something that works for you on several levels:

• It works for you because it dovetails with your personality and passions.
• It works for you because the energy cost is less than the return on investment. Earning a ton of cash that costs you your health and sanity is a poor trade.
• It works for you because you can extricate yourself, through delegation and automation, from the parts and processes that you don’t enjoy.
• It works for you because you can honestly say, “I work to live, not I live to work”.

And since your business is custom fitting, it will not look like everyone else’s. The way you build will be different, and that’s ok.

My accountant cannot comprehend why I don’t hire offices, take on staff, and thrash this horse.

He can’t quite grasp that my ambitions are harnessed to the Holy Ghost in a way that refuses to reach beyond His leading.

So first, build a business that works for you.

It may take time and trial to discover what that looks like for you. Allow God to lead and apply yourself diligently to the process of discovery.

Next week, I’ll share some other steering principles for peaceful prosperous living.

My favourite ones have “joy” as a key ingredient. I think you’ll like them.

So easy.

So, so tempting.

To run after things outside ourselves, thinking they will satisfy.

And sure, I won’t pretend that outside trappings don’t deliver for an instant. They do.

“Things” have their proper place, for “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matthew 6:32 KJV). He has “given unto us all things that pertain unto life” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV) and that includes much that we pursue.

But their power is as fleeting as the morning dew.

This sad, temporary creation can never fulfil the cry of the heart.

Never.

Do a 180.

Turn around and run with all your might inwardly.

Stop your ears to the noise and set your sights on things unseen.

Your Father awaits with open arms, ready to run and meet you.

The secret place is where your soul finds rest. It is here, in the caverns of the inner man, that you find out who you are. And here, with wide-eyed wonder, you discover that nothing compares to the sweet real fellowship of God.

How to run inward?

Close the door, turn your heart, and let your spirit lead.

“Daddy, I’m tired of running away. Weary of dashing in every direction. I want You and no other. Show me how to come to You. Take my hand and lead me in.”

Do it often enough for the layers to fall away, and you’ll never turn back.

Prayer is the passionate path to unspeakable pleasures.

Selah.

Oh, the beauty of prayer.

To know the Father fully and fellowship with Him freely.

To shed the garb of insecurity and seek refuge in the One who loves you without limit.

As the world hurtles toward inevitable destruction, there remains a refuge for the people of God.

God Himself invites you to steal away with Him to deserted places, far from the maddening crowd, to find rest for your soul.

I see you coming in from the desert, riding free, the dew of the morning dripping from your garments. Holy awe clings to your clothes, clean, full, and free from fear.

Heaven’s perspective restored.

In times of drought, dig deep. Go far outside the camp and make passionate progress on your knees.

Know that the highest place to be found is with your face to the floor.

We are promised “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19 KJV), and even scorching heat cannot prevent you tucking into the shadow of the almighty, finding cool shade where He will shower your soul with peace.

The world is fast and furious, friends, but your Father walks in gardens in the cool of the day.

Slow the pace.

Set hours aside, not minutes.

Unhurried fellowship is sweet and real.

Prayer is a precious jewel that no one can steal.

Selah.