Thursday. March 13, 2025

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! Brian here. Let’s appreciate that we live in season of history “pregnant” with possibilities—the big and the small. See your life as ripe.

This issue … seeing things in an above-normal way, recreative power of quality sleep, pushing back against DECREATION, and more.

🚀 SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

P.S. — Amazing. Why honey never expires.

Unlocking extraordinary sight—see with the “eyes of your heart”

Stephen Covey once said, “The way we see the problem is the problem.”

That resonates, doesn’t it? Often, the real issue isn’t the challenge itself—it’s how we’re seeing it.

In the natural, and even more in the mental-emotional-spiritual, seeing is interpreting.

What if you could get God’s light on things?

What seemed ordinary then takes on extraordinary potential. When you see with his light, you can call out the gold and catalyze transformation!

Be sure of this—this dark world needs developing Christ-followers to see differently.

The way you perceive determines how you proactively respond. Living in the light of Christ means walking in above-normal possibility …

Actually, this is normal Christ-following. There’s a difference between normal and average.

Seeing more like Jesus

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1.5 NKJV).

One of the key things Jesus does in our lives is shift us from relying on natural sight and thinking to seeing and interpreting with the eyes of our heart.

🙏 Paul prayed that our hearts would be “flooded with light” so we could grasp the hope of our calling (Ephesians 1:17-18, AMP). His prayer in Ephesians chapter 1 is a dynamic prayer framework to build into your life. You can pray his words.

For instance, a good parent doesn’t just see a child’s bad attitude—they see the person their child is becoming. They see beyond the disappointing moment and invest in their future.

Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22). It could be translated, “If your eye is healthy or sound.” 

Born-again sight opens Kingdom reality

Jesus said as we are born again, we see and enter (start experiencing his reality) the Kingdom (John 3). Let His light flood your life.

Increase your intimacy with Him, and welcome his light to shine over every challenge, every opportunity. Apply your faith. Pray. Decree truth. Act.

Stay in the light, and more light will come—"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light" (David in Psalm 36.9 ESV).

🌅 Don’t settle in the shadows. Discipline yourself to see and think from your spirit and renewed mind. You’ll think better. Emote better. Pray more accurately.

It really comes down to a few things:

➡️ Investing quality time with Jesus
➡️ Word saturation
➡️ Obediently walking in the light of God.

Jesus says, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8 ESV).

Lord of Light, we invite your Lordship and Light into our lives. The big things. Each little thing. Holy Spirit, empower us to lead our lives in the Light of Christ.

🙄 Your humble newsletter publisher speaks!

WORD WEALTH 🪙 
Ready. A sound mind for serious times.

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers! (1 Peter 4.7 NKJV).” Sophroneo (so-fron-eh-oh) is a NT Greek word meaning to be of sound mind, self-controlled, serious, disciplined, able to reason. From sozo, to save, and phren, the mind.

“Lord Jesus, we receive your mind. We live in serious times. Empower me to be disciplined and of sound mind” so that I can be fruitful in prayer.”

Related: see the new, growing collection of Smart Edit ‘Word Wealth’ segments.

🎧️ On the pod

Processed to organic: finding what enriches your life (Ep 333). In a world filled with quick, processed everything—content, spirituality, relationships—it’s easy to miss what truly nourishes us. We explore how embracing what’s real and organic leads to fulfillment and significance—from our faith to relationships, work, rest, and more.

Sleep—the ultimate reset button for your brain and body

Sleep isn’t just downtime—it’s a full-scale reset for your brain and body.

Scientists are still uncovering sleep’s deepest mysteries, but one thing is clear: without it, we unravel.

Chronic poor sleep is linked to cognitive decline, emotional instability, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s.

The sleep cycle moves through four stages: light sleep (memory processing), deep sleep (physical restoration), and REM sleep (where dreams and learning take shape).

One fascinating discovery? Sleep isn’t just about rest—it’s when your brain flushes out toxins built up during the day. Think of it as a deep clean for your brain. Vital for long-term brain health.

Prioritize quality sleep—it’s one of the most powerful ways to sharpen your life.

(Adapted from Morning Brew)

Scriptural affirmation: I will lie down in peace and sleep—the Lord makes me dwell in safety. I receive good things from the Lord, even in my sleep. (Psalm 4.8, James 1.17, Psalm 127.2)

Does a bad night’s sleep affect your health (Cleveland Clinic)

10 tips to beat insomnia (WebMD)

What they say …

Joshua— “The Smart Edit brings insightful Biblical information whenever I see it come across my inbox. Even something as simple as how God chooses us to partner with him can bring fresh new perspectives. Recommend whether you’re newer in the faith or have been following Christ for a while.”

Decreation. Sin is not just disobedience—it’s a force of degeneration and decreation. It actively works against the order and design God established in creation. Satan, the Original Degenerate, aims to unravel the fabric of life itself. But in Christ, we find the power to resist this force of decay and begin the journey of restoration towards God’s deign. “Holy Spirit, I will actively partner with You in Your work of renewal and recreation.”

Time to flood the zone? Is there a challenge you're facing right now, or an opportunity waiting to be unlocked? Sometimes the breakthrough comes when we flood the zone with Got-tel—the intelligence of God—backed by powerful, prayer-sourced action. Don’t confuse passivity with waiting on the Lord—true waiting leans forward in expectation, ready to act as the Spirit leads.

“Consumed” by zeal. Paul Hubbard, a minister and Smart Edit reader, is helping me understand that the zeal of the Lord of Hosts doesn’t just touch us—it can get into our bones and consumes us. In the best way. This Godly zeal performs his purposes in and through us … for his glory, his story, and his people. As we invest time with him, the flame grows within. See Isaiah 9.7 (“the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this”) and Acts 18.25 and Romans 12.11 (“fervent in spirit”).

Related newsletter: Kingdom “presencing”—quest for the highest possibilities

LexiQuest: Forsooth (fərˈso͞oTH) — Indeed, in truth (used for emphasis or to express surprise or indignation). “Forsooth, the rumor is true: this lovely lass and I are getting married!” Old English. Source: WordDaily

Trivia answers: B) Exposure to natural light during the day helps regulate sleep cycles C) Keeping a consistent bedtime schedule