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Larna and I laughed last night about rattling cages.

My own cage was rattled by something and I shared it with her to get perspective. When my emotional bars are shaking it’s hard to discern whether my response (or more likely, reaction) is honest or not.

Larna, in her indisputable and oh-so-compassionate way, pointed out that my cage can only be rattled because I’m choosing to stay in there, and that maybe God was allowing a mini-heartquake to alert me to the fact that the door to the cage is actually swinging open on it’s hinges if I would only choose to step out.

It is part of the journey of self-discovery we have embarked upon, and the highs and lows of getting bigger and mustering courage to grow a business or ministry are an inevitable part of the deal.

It’s easy to look outside ourselves and think that the roller-coaster is driven by external forces.

In reality, you are holding the levers.

Here are three things that I am leaning into to navigate the course of growth and the peeling away of the old man.

1. Prayer and Meditation

A regular time each day simply being in God’s presence is a number one necessity. I can’t speak for anyone else but I quickly find myself overwhelmed if I’m not dumping my days into the Father’s lap on a regular basis. There are some conversations that can only take place in His presence, because He alone has answers deep and resonant enough to affect lasting change.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

Transformation and becoming happens through beholding. In Him we see ourselves as He intended, and the reflection of our true selves rubs off!

2. Hearing With The Heart

Ears are great collectors of sound and information, but the heart is the translator. Like any system with input and output the old adage “garbage in, garbage out” is at work here. Conversely, if you put in the right nutrients, the right words, the right teachers and mentors, the most powerful promises, and learn pathways to see them realised, your growth and formation will be apparent.

Paul told his young mentee, Timothy, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15 NKJV)

The system is designed by God to work, every time. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes through words. What you feed the system will produce after it’s own kind.

Listening to God’s Word is a no-brainer of course, but beyond that we must be sowing into the areas we seek to grow. Among others, I particularly enjoy listening to books on prayer, business and simple living for instance.

Some of my recent favourites include:

The Practice by Seth Godin – https://amzn.to/3oh2WYc

The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz – https://amzn.to/3t0vYio

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer – https://amzn.to/3iSpwoM

Fresh Power by Jim Cymbala – https://amzn.to/3iOsjj5

The Word of Promise Audio Bible – https://amzn.to/3otlTHq

The Breathe New Testament – https://amzn.to/39jSjj0

3. Two-Way Journaling

There are three things that have radically moved the needle for me in my prayer life and deepening relationship with God; baptism in the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues, the discovery and practice of Tabernacle Prayer (for a free guide go to: https://www.davidleemartin.net/tabernacle-prayer-guide) and engaging in a two-way conversation with God through prayer and journalling. I’ve been a praying man for as long as I can remember, but after reading Mark Virkler’s 4 Keys To Hearing God’s Voice (https://amzn.to/3iOHuc1) and consistently applying the principles he teaches, the detailed and personal direction God offers each one of us, was opened to me in a richly satisfying way. Truly life-changing.

What regular practices do you apply to keep extending the boundaries in your life? How are you responding to the clanging of your mental and emotional cages?

Do you have keys you can share with others that will help them step out of their incarceration and enjoy a brighter, broader and less boarded up and boring future?

“He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19 NKJV)

Financial Disclosure: The Amazon links in this article are associates links and I will become indescribably rich if you click on them (not really, but I will earn a few cents).

Out of literally millions in the race you were the sole victor!

Only one very special seed broke that finish tape and fertilised that egg, and it was you!

You started as a winner, and you’ll end as one also. As a Christian, even death will not be able to hold you. Sin has already lost it’s grip and the grim reaper has no claim to your eternal destiny.

The greatest power in this natural universe, death itself, is rendered null in your presence. He may take a swipe, he will cost certainly swing his weight, but the final bell will declare your triumph!

You begin as a winner.

You end as a winner.

It seems that there’s a pattern here.

What happens between Victory one, and the grand victorious finale is largely upon you and the decisions you make. But know this, the marks of majesty are upon you, and the way that the Maker of the universe describes has never changed:

“…we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37 KJV)

I joke, probably too often, about being a bit of Gideon.

The Holy Ghost comes and says, “Great and mighty man of valour…”

And I look around to see who He’s talking to.

Then there’s a word. It’s small but potent. Worse than a silent but deadly.

This stenchy little dream killer chokes the life from creative projects and God-given gifts and ideas.

Verbal flatulence.

“But”

But I’m the least in the least family in the least tribe.

That was Gideon’s excuse.

What’s yours?

What recourse do you take when faced with your own fabulous?

What accusations do you pour on yourself when confronted with your own awesome?

Because God does not change His testimony.

He didn’t turn around and say, “You know, actually, Gideon, you are right. Sheesh, you’d think that being all-knowing I would have remembered that? Maybe you aren’t so great, valiant or worthy after all.”

Thank God, no.

He didn’t bat an eyelid. God didn’t even flinch.

He pretty much ignored Gideon’s protestations and simply declared identity over him once again.

Gideon.

Glenda, Sarah, Sam, James, Giselle, Jim, Jack, Jason, Mary, Margaret, Bill, Brigit, Bob.

Mighty man or woman of valour.

Write your book!

Start that blog!

Share your story!

Create your course, run your retreat.

God is with you to keep that winning streak alive!

The universe is hurtling in every direction at breakneck speed, never having ceased for one moment following the words, “Let there be!”

Expansion!

It’s the nature of God, and the nature that he placed with people. We are wired for growth and fruitfulness. Anything less runs contrary to our design.

But how do we become bigger people? How do we access the vast inner resources that have been deposited with us?

Think!

Jesus spoke about the human heart as being like a well that springs up from the inside, spilling wisdom and worth in every direction.

Like any watercourse, the avenue of entrance requires a conduit? What’s the pipeline this wisdom flows through? 

Does it result from as a man striveth? As a woman worketh? 

No, as a person thinks, so they will be and become.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

Our thinking determines the boundaries of our life. You’ll live by what you believe.

That’s true regardless of whether what you believe is true or not. 

The key to expansion is learning to think beyond your current situation. 

So how do I expand? That was my question to the Lord a few weeks ago.

He addressed it in the thought realm, and told me that the key to expansion is learning to “think WITH Him, not just about Him”.

Our lives, business, and ministry will grow in accordance with our thoughts and the expansion of our heart to engage and accommodate more of God’s thoughts.

Lift the limits

The following verse is a scary one…

“Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” (Psalm 78:41 KJV

The word “limited” means to “scratch a mark or set a boundary”. It also means to “grieve”, in the sense that it does not believe in who a person is and what they can accomplish. 

What marks have you scratched over the years? What boundaries have you set that you fear crossing in case you are proven wrong?

Sometimes sitting inside our insecurities feels like a safer way to view the world than stepping outside of them and believing for more.

Safe inside your fears

My heart was convicted the other day when I noted a negative reaction to another person’s success. A pang of negativity, a sense of grievance that someone else was proving my own limitations wrong. 

Seeing someone soar beyond the marks I have scratched challenges me to reach beyond my own fears, and that’s uncomfortable. I want to justify where I am at, blame external circumstance or something (or someone) outside myself, and stay within the enclave of my own errors.

And while I barricade my thoughts to shut out new possibilities God is patiently waiting to engage in my own uniquely crafted program of expansion. 

So why doesn’t He jolly well just do it?

Because God is interested in the man not the ministry.

He is concerned with the girl not the growth of her business.

Jesus asks stupid questions

Remember how Jesus asked stupid questions?

“Do you want to receive you sight?” To a blind man.

“Do you want to walk?” To a cripple.

What’s He asking you?

“Do you want your business to grow? Do you want to make more, do more, be more?”

It is in the process of becoming God reveals the person. That’s why He asks, even though His will is already declared. 

Essentially He says, “I’ve done this already for you, do you want it?”

I’ve spoken it.

I’ll do it.

But I will yet for this be inquired of. 

God wants to engage in a conversation. He is ready to act, but He is waiting for you to ask. He will then direct your steps, and on the journey you will learn to think with Him, act with Him, take pleasure in His company.

And as you delight in Him, you’ll begin to see the desires of your heart realized, and you’ll expand your experience far beyond your present reality. All the while staying in step with the only One who holds the blueprint.

One of the boldest statements you will find in Scripture is the time Jesus put it out there and declared, “I am the Light of the world!” (John 8:12)

Perhaps even more mind boggling is that He also said, “YOU are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14)

It is a startling statement, but it’s right there in red. He said it, I believe it, and to hell with any other opinion.

And if you are the light of the world, is it not time to stop skulking in the shadows?

I’m choosing to speak I boldly. I’m deliberately wanting to poke and prod you to squirm if you are still holding back.

Trim Your Lamp, Ladies

There’s a story Jesus told about ten young women, all were waiting for their bridegroom. Five were prepared, trimmed their lamps, and were actively waiting with their light burning bright. The other unfortunate ladies had tucked their lamps away, thinking wrongly that their day would never come.

I want to remind you, your day has come!

Jesus is calling you to shine your light.

It might seem like a “little light o’ mine” in the vast ocean of shiny people punting their opinions, products and publications, but your light is nevertheless significant.

Whatever your estimation of what you have to bring, please recognise that your commission is not to compare your brightness with Bill or Brigit.

You have your own assignment, your own unique hue.

Let it shine!

Bring Your Glow To The Show

That can only happen when the treasures you carry on the inside of your heart are pulled from the shadows and you allow inspiration to spark your desire to bring your glow to the show.

It may mean stepping outside your comforts. I get that.

It may mean pushing aside your feelings of inadequacy. I know that one well.

But it is worth it all. Whatever it takes, unleash your genius, and make your move today.

Remember what happened to the unprepared virgins! Let’s make certain we are not part of that company, and be sure to prompt others to do the same.

You have good works waiting to be created and shipped, prompted by your desire to help others rise.

Together we can make a difference in so many lives, all of who need to see the shining lights of God’s people blazing like a city on a hill.

We are stand out people.

Stand up, take your place, and stand out just as you were made to do.

If you need help and want to be part of a community of fellow Christians who have their lights shining bright, I’d love to welcome you into the Christian Creative Academy. The Academy is here to help you discover your awesome, and share it with the world!