Whether a distraction, an interruption or just a nuisance—constant noise can inhibit our thinking and our ability to get things done.
So, this week, TURN IT DOWN. Lower the noise around you. Stop listening to the news, to sports radio, to your brother-in-law and his issues … turn down the noise around you so you can think with the mind of Christ.
Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. 5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] (Philippians 2:4 AMP)THINK LIKE JESUS
Think like Jesus. His strength came from a mindset of humility. Humility is living without the noise.
As soon as Jesus began his ministry, he moved to a new house in a new area. He moved from the small, insular blue-collar village of Nazareth and from the business he entrusted to his brothers, to Capernaum—a beautiful and bustling village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Sophisticated, well appointed, enlightened and, except for the men who cut a hole in his roof, a place where he could get away.
Think: pray, refresh, renew.
Because it had a large synagogue and was on a trade route, Capernaum would be a place that men from every part of the world would arrive. This would enlarge the conversations and inspire expansive thinking. From there, Jesus often retreated to the desert and other places for times of quiet contemplation.
Jesus knew he had to turn it down, to turn it up.
TURN DOWN NEGATIVITY, TURN UP FAITH
He had to turn down the distractions so he could turn up the anointing and presence of His Father. Turn down the small village mentality and turn up a larger worldview. Turn down negativity and turn up faith.
Yet I totally trust you to rescue me one more time,Get somewhere quiet. Take a paper and pen. Meditate on the goodness of God and the blessings you have. Contrast God’s faithfulness to the issues you are facing. Remember His goodness. Then write down two or three actions you could take right now that would launch you in the right direction. (Paper is preferrable to writing digitally. Lots of studies on this.)
so that I can see once again how good you are while I’m still alive!
Here’s what I’ve learned through it all:
Don’t give up; don’t be impatient;
be entwined as one with the Lord.
Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.
Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you! (Psalm 27:13 TPT)
Then…TURN DOWN THE NOISE. Your own doubts, the nagging fears, the attacks of the enemy on your identity … TURN IT DOWN.
NOW, DO WHAT YOU WROTE DOWN. DO IT. Don’t back off. Get it done.
Perhaps the opposite of noise is fresh air. I think of that when I’m around the ocean, on a mountain, or just walking through my local park. Get out and get clear air. Refesh your thinking, reset your heart … get perspective. That’s what Jesus did.
The more I study Jesus’ life, the more I’ve seen how he prepared. When I was younger, I was so taken by His actions I didn’t see the preparation that preceded the action.
Write this on that paper you just grabbed: The practice of preparation always precedes powerful performance.
That’s what this STRONGER intensive is all about.
You’re on your way to a great 2021!
