Do you have the stomach for it?

September 19, 2024

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! Thanks for reading. This week … do you have the stomach for the best things, unlock new horizons, and live with royal bearing.

The Smart Edit is here to help you to break free from a Reactive Model and quest for a Readiness Model in all things, bad and good.

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KINGDOM DYNAMIC
Do you have the stomach for it? How bad do you want it?

I’m sure there are things you need to face down and deal with in your life. You can almost taste the release and joy of being on the other side of it.

But you may feel stuck or frozen.

• Procrastination is an insidious, tormenting force that binds you to the present or past.

• Fear is an ugly energy that ties you to a stake. You can barely imagine seizing new territory or moving toward hope-filled horizons.

• “I want to be comfortable” is a vapid approach to life that opens the door to regret next month, next year, or at the end of your life. It’s said the best stuff is on the other side of being uncomfortable.

Do you know that when you answer the call to follow Jesus, he has assignments for you? We will give an account to him as Lord.

And these assignments are laced with fulfillment and joy. At least at some point after we begin to obey.

You will always feel a little over your head. Or maybe a lot! But his empowering grace to live according to Higher Design is accessible.

So the question is, “Do you have the stomach for it?”

How bad do you want it—the good things of your personal life as well as the highest things of your calling?

Paul left Timothy and put him in charge of the church in one of the most significant cities in the Roman World at the time, Ephesus. He was way out of his depth in the natural.

I’m going to take a little liberty here … I’m hearing Paul tell his timid mentoree to “use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (1 Timothy 5.23 NKJV).

Paul was addressing a physical issue with Timothy, but we have infirmities, too, and may not feel like we have the stomach for things we’re facing.

🍇 🍷 Father, give us new wine for our “frequent infirmities” of procrastination, fear, and addiction to comfort. Help us deal with things a little “drunk” on the person and energy of your Spirit (can you pray that?).

You know, it’s interesting. Paul wrote to the church Timothy pastored and said, “do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit” (Ephesians 5.18 AMPC).

So in this sense, stop being so sober! Stay under the influence. Loosen up and let go of your tired inhibitions. Sync with the Spirit. Advance into everything he has for you.

He’ll give you the gift of a strong stomach for it.

Redefine your life: unlock new horizons

Click the play button to hear EP 318 now, or search Jesus Smart X on your favorite podast app.

Outsmart. Jesus has us on assignment and says, “be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10.16 NLT). You have access to the mind of Christ—and you can progress in that. You can outsmart the Adversay and display the excellencies of the Creator.

Heightened Kingdom value. Via common grace, we believe unbelievers can come up with valuable ideas and solutions. Those who know the Lord can often bring heightened Kingdom value to these ideas and solutions via the special grace of God’s Word and the Spirit’s revelation. The Lord elevates everything.

Reactive vs. readiness. Whatever edges you are dealing with and working on, break free from a reactive model and quest for a readiness model. Christ will prepare you for all things, bad and good.

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STELLAR QUOTE
Prayer is a “disinfectant and a preventive”

Prayer cleanses and primes the atmosphere for God’s overcoming activity. E.M. Bounds (1835-1913) was an American attorney, minister, and author. He is known for writing 11 books, 9 of which focused on prayer. See powerful quotes on prayer by E.M. Bounds on Goodreads.

WORD WEALTH 🪙 
Majesty — live with royal bearing

Out-of-the-ordinary things were happening via Jesus’ influence—”And they were all amazed at the majesty of God” (Luke 9.43 NKJV). “Majesty” is the Greek word megaleiotes. It means grandeur, glory, splendor, superbness, greatness. If you are born again, you have the royal anointing of Christ within you. We can live and act with Kingdom bearing.

Father, I thank you for the royal anointing of Christ. Holy Spirit, lead me to live and act with a Kingdom bearing that is worthy of Christ’s Call.

• Prayer technology. How technology is amplifing prayer in America. The intersection of faith and digital media is making a big people’s spiritual lives.

• Animal sacrifices in NY. Authorities to ‘crack down’ on animal sacrifices in New York. An increase in ritualistic killings of animals, including chickens, pigs, and rats, believed to be part of religious ceremonies in the area. Brian—the church must rise in strong prayer against this demonic issue.

• Doubt and faith. Top reasons people question Christianity (Barna).

• “Reckless escalation.” RFJ Jr. calls on U.S. to stop escalation of Ukraine war. The Biden administration is set to approve Ukraine using Western-made long-range missiles to strike inside Russia. Brian—pray against escalation and widening of the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Interest rate cut. Fed makes biggest interest rate cut in 16 years. Some good news for mortgage rates and credit card debt.

• “Deep doubt” era? Will AI make people doubt everything they see online?

Do you appreciate the diversity of the Body of Christ? The Word of the Week is omnifarious — comprising or relating to all sorts of varieties. The (non-compromising) omnifarious nature of the Body of Christ releases creativity and insight. Source: WordDaily