Eddie Jones's Blog, page 19

Expect God to Work for Your Success

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (2 Chronicles 32:1-23)

Hezekiah assembled his military officers before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words:

“Be strong.”
“Be confident.”
“Be courageous.”
“There is a greater power with us than with our enemies.”
“Our enemies only have the arm of the flesh.”
“The Lord our God who is with us helps us fight our battles.”

But the king of Assyria said:

“On what are you basing your confidence?”
“You remain under siege.”
“Your king is misleading you.”
“You will die of hunger and thirst.”
“How then can your god deliver you from my hand?”

Have you reached a point in your book marketing where you lack confidence? Do you feel as if you’re trapped without any way to move forward, any reason to keep trying? Have all the marketing pitches and promises left you bitter and cynical, doubting that your books will ever sell? Out of money, time, and ready to give up? Do you doubt that even God will help you?

If so, let’s look at how  King Hezekiah devised a strategy for success that depended solely on God.

King Hezekiah cried out in prayer to heaven. Turn to God. Lift up your eyes. Look to heaven for your help. Do not look to the past. Our God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living (Mark 12:27). He has plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).The Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. Ask God to send his mighty angles to defend you. Ask God to destroy all barriers to your success.

The Lord our God will command his angels to guard you. (Psalm 91:11) (Luke 4:10)
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him. (Psalm 34:7)
The angel of the Lord delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)
“I tell you that your angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
All angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)
I will send an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way. I will bring you to the place I have prepared. (Exodus 23:20)

The Assyrian king withdrew to his own land in disgrace. Expect the obstacles to your success to withdraw and melt away.Some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword. Expect the obstacles to your success to be cut down and cast away.The Lord saved the people. Confess that the Lord saves. Through Christ we are saved. In Christ we have the promise of abundant life. Your faith in Jesus brings victory.He took care of them on every side. Rest in peace with the knowledge that nothing surprises our Lord. He protects your flanks and back. Advance with confidence.Many brought offerings for the Lord and valuable gifts for the king. Once you begin to see success, bring your best to the Lord as an offering. Praise him. Proclaim his name. List the ways he has helped you achieve success.From then on Hezekiah was highly regarded by all the nations. Once the Lord has established you, embrace the title of victor. Stand tall. Stand firm. With quiet confidence and in humility accept the mantle of best-selling author in order that others may be encouraged to put their trust in Jesus.So it will be for everyone who places their confidence in the Lord our God. (Romans 10:11, 1 Peter 2:6 / Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 49:23, Psalm 25:3)

What lessons can we learn from this story of having confidence in the strong arm of our Lord?

Assemble your people, your “tribe,” those committed to offering help and who believe in you and your books. Give each a task and follow up to make sure they execute their work. Feel free to delegate this supervision task to one “officer.” Ask each member to recruit one more person to your team.Receive courage from the Lord. Jesus says:

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
“Daughter, take courage. Your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:22)
“Take courage, stand up! Jesus is calling you!” (Mark 10:49)

We do not need to muster up false courage. Jesus is on our side. Jesus on our inside. We are inside him. He is our courage.

Believe a greater power is with you. This is your VISION for victory and success.Declare and believe that your adversary only has the power of man.Ignore the words and signs that sow seeds of doubt.Look beyond your circumstances and trust in the vision.Pray to the Lord.Do all within your power to achieve success, then expect, watch, and wait for God to act on your behalf.Bring offerings and praise to the Lord.In humility accept the high regard God has for you.

 

Iwo Jima — Our Operation Detachment Moment

On February 19, 1945 at 08:59 a.m., the first wave of Marines landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima. Although the marines expected stiff resistance, they found the beaches deserted. Ahead lay 15-foot-high slopes of soft black volcanic ash. The ease with which the Marines came ashore gave them hope and a false sense of relief that things would be easier than expected. It wasn’t until later, after the third wave arrived and Marines packed the beach, that the enemy attacked.

In many ways the modern church is facing their Iwo Jima moment. Many have enlisted to serve Jesus and call him Lord. We’ve promise to serve him, follow him, and trust in him with our life. But we don’t really expect the enemy to attack. Sure, we might encounter some difficulties, but nothing that will cost us our soul. The soft ash on the church beach leaves sand in our shoes and perhaps even a smile on our face.

But we’ve failed to consider the lengths to which the enemy will go to defend his home, earth. (Revelation 12:12).

Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi knew that Japan could not win the battle on Iwo Jima, but he hoped to inflict massive casualties as possible so the allies would reconsider carrying out their invasion of Japan Home Islands.

On Kuribayashi orders, the enemy created an extensive maze of tunnels that connected bunkers and pillboxes. The Nano Bunker which lay east of Airfield Number 2, had enough food, water, and ammunition for the Japanese to hold out for three months. The bunker was 90 feet deep and had tunnels running in various directions. Approximately five hundred 55-gallon drums filled with water, kerosene, and fuel oil for generators were inside the complex. Gasoline-powered generators allowed for radios and lighting to be operated underground.

Our enemy also has an extensive infrastructure in place. For yeas he has trained spies in seminaries to infiltrate our ranks. His soldiers have built a maze of tunnels which connect outposts that can take out believers. Often these tunnels run under and around churches with access points that can quickly be filled one of their own falls. Many times, due to camouflage, we can’t even tell that the movements within the body are directed by the enemy. Our enemy anticipates positions to be bombarded and pulpits cleaned out, but with his series of tunnels he can quickly reoccupy each pulpit, each committee chair with fresh troops.

All the while those brave souls on the beach, lounging on pews, anticipate an easy victory.

Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on February 19, 1945, sporadic machine-gun fire began to quickly intensify. Bullets, first first over the heads of the Marines, gradually began to find their targets. Unable to stand or kneel, the men on the beach scooped out ash-sand as if digging their own grave.

Mortars and heavy artillery began to rain down on the crowded beach, quickly turning the wide band of dark shoreline into a surreal image of machine and men being blown into the air. Shells screeched, then crashed, carving out large divots where men lay moments before. As men sought to run for cover in the soft-ash sand, land mines exploded underfoot, sending body parts skyward. The walking crumpled and fell.

What had seemed so easy an hour earlier now became a living hell. Despite careful planning, the high command had failed to account for the ferocity of an enemy defending their home.

Rather than fight us on the beachhead, our enemy allows us to wade into a church with seeming ease. Once lulled into complacency and thinking the battle won, he attacks with truth wrapped in a lie, our good intentions twisted into shrapnel that spares the body but damns the soul.

The marines on Iwo Jima eventually captured the island but because they did not anticipate the underground infrastructure of the enemy, they paid a heavy price.

Satan knows his time is short. He knows the victory belongs to Jesus. And before he’s swept away by a word from the Word, the Truth, the Life and Light of men, he wants to take as many souls with him to hell as he can. It is time we stop looking for the enemy on the landscape and begin to anticipate that he might be beneath us in a tunnel, beside us in a rock, behind us in a cave.

This is our Operation Detachment—our time to expel the enemy before he can take out more of our brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, family, friends, and neighbors.

If walking with Jesus is too easy: be warned. The enemy may have his sights on you.

Reaching Today’s Youth With the Good News of Jesus

Pray the best for others. Pray Jesus.

Jon Steingard, former lead singer for Hawk Nelson, a Canadian Christian rock band announced his disbelief in God on Instagram at the height of the pandemic. Both his father and father-in-law are pastors,so his announcement sent shockwaves throughout the Christian music community. Steingard said he thinks there are three recurring reasons why people leave the faith: differing beliefs on gay rights, failed support for social justice issues, and political platforms using faith to advance certain polarizing agendas.

“I see the value in religious practices,” Steingard said, “even if I don’t believe in the metaphysical (divine) claims of Christianity (Christ).
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2022/january/the-nones-are-on-the-rise-thats-why-this-church-movement-is-lighting-1-000-little-lights-in-the-darkness

Adam Hamilton is correct when he suggests we need to adjust our strategy for reaching today’s youth. Question is, what strategy will we adopt?

Back in the 80’s and 90’s I sold printing paper on straight commission. I couldn’t afford to fail. Most of the products I sold were on the high end. Our competitors sold quality paper, but their products were often of a cheaper grade and lower price. Many times I found myself tempted to drop my price in order to gain a sale.

I see this same tension in mainstream churches. Jesus is the better product, the best product, but too often we are tempted to diminish the value of his sacrifice (devalue sin) in order to “increase sales,” and gain new members.

In Jesus we have:

an active, charity-oriented love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, gentleness, and faith in a Father and his Son who seek to give us an abundant lifethe wisdom of God and knowledge from Godthe keys to the kingdom of heavenauthority to bind unclean spirits, sickness, disease, and deathauthority to give sight to the blind, loosen the tongues of the oppressed, break the chains of those imprisoned by addiction and affliction: even free those incarcerated (See the prayers of those for Peter when he was jailed.)dominion over the earth and the power to move mountains, roll back seas, and calm stormsan advocate who carries our petitions before the Fatherthe Spirit of God within usthe ability to see unseen things in the heavenly realmand so much more…

The spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12) sells a product based on:

fearshameblamedoubtdivisiondeath

We only need to watch the news (of both left and right persuasions) and what passes for entertainment to see evidence that the spirit of the world dominates our culture. The power of darkness preaches and reaches through the screen and ear buds.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” – Jesus (Matthew 6:22-23)

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

In THIS age and the age to come Jesus offers life, hope, restoration, reconciliation, and a future more glorious than anything we can imagine. (Luke 18:29-30)

Science demands we believe in facts. Jesus calls us to believe in him.
Science studies the past. Jesus offers us a future in heaven with him.
Science is fine to a point, but science will never point us to Jesus.

Our natural eyes cannot see the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). For that we need spiritual eyes and spiritual vision that only comes from the Holy Spirit within us.

How do we reach the younger generation? The better question is how to reach our generation? Jesus said:

“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24)

The seeds sown by our generation over the past 50+ years is the harvest we now reap. I do not have to imagine the heartbreak of Steingard’s father and father-in-law. I’ve lived it within my family. I bet you have as well. To a large degree our generation has failed to make disciples of Christ. Within the modern church we can’t even agree on who Christ is, what he said, and what he meant by what he said. It’s no wonder kids don’t want to come to church.

How do we reach the younger generation? Meet them at their points of pain: isolation, fear, fragile identity, desire for significance, and truth—real truth, not our opinion. (Kill, steal, or rape—3 of the 10 Commandments—and you can bet someone is going to seek justice.)

In Jesus we have fellowship, confidence, an identity (transformed into the image of God), purpose, and the very words of God burned into our hearts.

In Jesus we can change the world and our culture, but first Jesus must change our hearts.

God gave Adam and Eve sovereignty over the earth, animals, and themselves. We cannot override the will of another. We cannot force someone to believe as we believe. Goodness knows over the past 2000 years Christians have tried… and failed.

How do we reach the younger generation (and our own kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews)? The keys to reaching today’s youth is praying for them.

1. Pray that God would send laborers into their lives who would transmit the gospel in a way that is relevant to them. It is the Word of God that opens the hearts and transforms them.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

2. Pray that the Word would reach their heart and reveal God’s love. The revelation of God’s love is the most important revelation that one can receive. Love this person with the love of God.

“I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-18)

3. Pray that the Spirit would convict them of their need and the gift of righteousness. This is not a condemning conviction, but a revelation of their ‘lostness’ and that Jesus is the answer.

“When he comes, he (the Advocate, Holy Spirit) will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me. (John 16:8-9)

4. Pray that the seed of the Word that already exists in their heart, or that will be heard by them, will spring up and grow in their life. Believe that the Word of God will transform their heart and mind.

 “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”Mark 4:26-29)

5. Pray that they would have a revelation of God’s goodness. It is His goodness that leads us to repentance.

“Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

– borrowed from Barry Bennett

Others may have a different approach to reaching today’s youth, but for me prayer and knowing that God’s will is that none should be lost, leads me to believe that if I remain obedient to his word and pray his words back to him, his will will be done. The lost will be found. Those trapped in darkness will be freed. Those blind will see.

You get what you pay for.

We get what we pray for.

Pray the best for others. Pray Jesus.

My Chosen Moment

When Jesus Shows Up

I’m a fan of The Chosen. I own season one on DVD and plan to grab season two this weekend. For me The Chosen puts skin on the Gospels. I see the compassion in Jesus’ eyes when he looks upon someone suffering, lost, unsure if he is the Messiah.

One of the things I love most about The Chosen is how Jesus is portrayed in those moments before he heals. Often he will close his eyes, look up, then reach out. It’s as if he is “seeing” what has happened before it happens.

Vision is an important part of the Jesus narrative. In the Garden the devil deceived Eve by accusing her of being blind to what she could become apart from God.

When you eat from it (fruit) your eyes will be opened.  You will be like God. (Genesis 3:5).

God told Abram to:

Look at the sky. See if you can count the stars. That’s how many descendants you will have. (Genesis 15:5)

God gave Noah a vision for the ark.

This is how you are to build it. (Genesis 6:14-16)

The vision God gives us with our spiritual eyes allows us to conceive in our hearts what will be.

This week I had my Chosen moment. At 6:33 PM while driving home from swimming I prayed aloud that God would provide funds for this week’s Moore Square purchases.

Each week I gather with my new friends in a parking lot across from Moore Square in Raleigh. I pass out sandwiches, distribute the previous week’s orders, and take new requests. Jesus promised abundant life, not a hand-me-down existence. I want those “in between addresses” to know that Jesus sees them, that Jesus wants the best for them. Wants a new life for them. Thus, his calling to me to buy new shoes, boots, socks, underwear, coats…

At At 6:27 PM God provided for this week’s needs. 

At 6:33 PM my request went before God. 

All I needed to do was see what already was and ask.

Will we ask?

Will we believe?

Will we conceive the vision God has placed in our hearts?

He is waiting to give us more than we can imagine. Ask the Lord of Creation to create his vision in your heart.

 

If you wish to help buy new items for those “in between addresses” you can send an Amazon gift card in any amount to: eddie@eddiejones.org. I’d love to send you a screen shot of what your donation buys. I’d also love to send pics of those wearing new outfits purchased in the name of Jesus.

 

God’s View of Climate Change — Saving the Planet (Luke 17:6)

Will You Exert Your Authority Over Earth?

“My father has given you dominion over the earth. Therefore if you say to a mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ it will obey you.” (Luke 17:6)

According to a new poll among 13- to 29-year-olds, a majority of young people in the United States are optimistic that it’s still possible to prevent the worst long-term effects of climate change, even as many of them point to the multiple ways they believe climate change will affect their personal lives. – PBS News Hour

Global warming, climate change, rising sea levels… for many of today’s youth saving the planet remains an important issue. It’s also an important issue to God. And for good reason. When natural disasters strike we tend to blame God.

Traditionally, homeowner’s insurance policies have contained an exclusion clause for damages caused by “acts of God”, a catch-all term that covers any sort of act of nature that cannot be controlled, like earthquakes or hurricanes. But it can be used in a different settings under the law. For example, think of an extraordinary natural event (such as a typhoon or earthquake) that cannot be reasonably foreseen or prevented. – LawInfo

Is it fair to blame God when we have dominion over the earth?

The earth is given to mankind. (Psalm 115:16)

You made mankind rulers over the works of your hands. You put everything under their feet. (Psalm 8:6)

God put all things under the feet of mankind. God left nothing that is not subject to them. (Hebrews 2:8)

Jesus declares that with a word, we have the power to uproot trees and plant them into the sea. Jesus said with a word we could cast mountains into the sea (Mark 11:22–23). Was Jesus speaking hyperbole? Or did he really expect us to exercise our dominion over the earth?

Notice what Jesus does not say. He does not command us to form a movement—demand nations, governments, and businesses to change. He does not command us to rally crowds, give speeches, levy fines, or raise taxes to save the earth. Instead he commands us to speak a word. “Be uprooted. Be planted.”

Creating safeguards for the planet are beneficial. Acting as good stewards of the environment is part of our charge to exercise dominion over the earth. But if we’re serious about caring for the planet we need to start with:

FaithPrayerWords spoken to that which is subject to us

Men and women are not subject to our words. Wildlife is. The earth is. But people are subject to no one but themselves. God does not rule over us. He gave us free will—and God does not take back what he freely gives. Satan rules over us but only as far as we allow.

With a word Jesus silenced the wind. (Luke 8:22-25)With a word Jesus calmed the seas. (Luke 8:22-25)With a word Jesus cursed a tree and caused its roots to die. (Mark 11:12-25)

If we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us, then we have the same power he exercised when he walked on earth.

Concerned about climate change? Get into Jesus. Get Jesus into you. Gather in prayer and command the seas to roll back, trees to grow, the sky to be healed.

A healthy planet is God’s will. God always honors prayers made in his will. Pray in faith. Believe.

Change the climate of your heart and you’ll change the climate around you.

Blessing I Will Bless You

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Genesis 22:17)

“Blessing I will bless you.” (Genesis 22:17)

Lord I pray back your word to you. While you are blessing us, you will bless us. You said that through Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).  Through your Holy Spirit the apostle Paul testifies that if we belong to you, the Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).

Your promises are pictures of what you desire us to become. Your promises are a picture of who you are. Multiplying you will multiply (Genesis 22:17). No matter how many promises you made, they are “Yes” in Christ. Therefore, through Christ the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of you, our father in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:20).

For this reason in the mighty name of Jesus I declare that while you are blessing Dead Man’s Hand, you will bless Skull Creek Stakeout. While you are blessing Dead Low Tide you will bless Rumor of a Werewolf. While you are blessing Phantom Gunslinger, you will bless Medium Well Done.

While you are blessing Curse of the Black Avenger, you will bless Dead Calm, Bone Dry. While you are blessing The End of Calico Jack, you will bless No Good Stede Goes Unpunished. While you are blessing Down to Davy Jones, you will bless The Day The World Sneezed.

While you are blessing Summers’ Love, you will bless My Father’s Business.

What Doors Do You Need Opened Today?

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Luke 11:5-10, 13)

Your pantry is empty. You have nothing left to set before your guests, your family. Spent, exhausted, frustrated, all you can do is borrow from friends.

Late at night you go next door and ask your neighbor for a little something to eat so you can feed your guest, but your neighbor replies”

“Don’t bother me.”“I’m in bed.”“Go away.”

Jesus warns that when we ask our friends for help—even when what we seek is for others—many will reply, “Don’t bother me. I’m your friend, yes, but…”

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Do not be surprised by this. The nature of man is to withdraw, withhold, allow others to go without.” Instead Jesus encourages us to:

“Ask your Father in heaven for what you need.”“Seek from your Father in heaven your provision.”“Knock on heaven’s door for the help you need.”

Then turn to and grab these promises of Jesus. Hold onto them with both hands.

“I promise you will receive from my Father.”“I promise you will find all you need in my Father’s house.”“I promise my Father will open doors for you.”

These promises from Jesus are not simply for those who are “good,” righteous in their own eyes—for those who can quote chapter and verse. These promises from Jesus are for all who come to the Father in humility, repentance, and faith.

What doors do you need opened today?
What supplies do you lack?
What have you conceived but have yet to received?

Jesus says,

“EVERYONE who asks, receives.”“EVERYONE who seeks, finds.”“EVERYONE who knocks, a door is opened.”

How is that possible? Jesus replies, “Your father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

God’s Holy Spirit reminds us of the character, works, and words of Jesus and the father. (John 14:26) God is good. God is loving. God is generous. God is compassionate. God is faithful. God gives all the grace we need for every task.God’s Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. (John 16:7-8) When sin interferes with our relationship with the father, his Holy Spirit brings our offenses to mind. Through his mercy and our repentance, our relationship and communication is restored.God’s Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and the deep needs of our soul. (1 Corinthians 2:10) We think we know what we want, but the Holy Spirit digs deep into our soul and supplies us with wisdom, revelation, and vision from the father.God’s Holy Spirit guides us in all truth, thus making our steps firm. (John 16:13-15) Our wants, goals, and needs may seem right, but God’s Holy Spirit reveals all truth, all that is noble, all that is good.God’s Holy Spirit gives us good gifts for the common good: wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) Our daily needs are not for us alone but for others. The works of our hands are not for our enjoyment alone, but for the benefit of others.God’s Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, searches our hearts, intercedes for us according to God’s will. (Romans 8:26-27) When we are frail, tired, and beaten down, God’s Holy Spirit continues to ask the father on our behalf .God’s Holy Spirit enables us to live in love, joy, faith, and peace, with patience and self-control. In his Spirit we offer kindness, goodness, and gentleness towards others. (Galatians 5:22-25) With God’s Holy Spirit within us, love, joy, faith, and peace replace anger, worry, fear, and stress.

With God’s Holy Spirit we have all we need to provide for others and ourselves. And should we lack anything, we only need to ask.

Jesus tells us we will, “Do the works I do and even greater works than these. (John 14:12)

Are we doing great works?
Are we writing great words?
Are we spending our efforts on others?

If you believe your words, your books, your vocation as a writer serves God’s kingdom in small and great ways, then invite others to join you in this prayer.

“‘My Father, your name is holy. Your name is greatly to be revered and honored. Your kingdom is here with me, within me, for you are in me and I am in you.

Each day you give me all that I need. You know my needs, even the needs I cannot fathom. Provide today as much as I need.

Forgive me of my sins. I confess them before you now. I repent of my sins. Have mercy on me.

I forgive all who offend me, hurt me, ignore me, past judgement upon me, and seek to harm me.

Lead me not into temptation. Instead lead me to open doors where I can display your love, joy, faith, peace and patience to others. Lead me to open doors where I, in the mighty name of Jesus, can show your kindness, goodness, and gentleness towards others. May it be so, father. Amen.

 

Pick The One Best Thing

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Luke 10:38-42)

Once there was a reader named Martha who hosted an author event.

Martha opened her home (but not her heart) to her guest.Martha was distracted.Martha was worried.Martha had to to make preparations.Martha petitioned others for help—her family (perhaps friends) .Martha grew upset with others—her family (perhaps friends) due to their lack of help.Martha questioned (doubted) her guest, Jesus, regarding his heart, compassion, and concern for her.Martha commanded Jesus to act.Martha pitied herself.Martha praised herself.Martha participated in many activities.

Martha’s sister Mary joined the others as they gathered around the guest of honor, the Author of all things.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.Mary listened to Jesus’ words.Mary chose the best: time with Jesus.

When we choose Jesus, no one can take him from us (John 10:28).

When we choose anything other than Jesus, those things we select will distract us from him. So much so, that often we miss the best and only thing we need for task at hand.

If you find that your efforts produce little and leave you tired, worried, upset, distracted, filled with self-pity, pride, and on the outs with others, take a break and sit with Jesus. Listen to his words. Rest in him.

Words matter. The Word matters most of all. Get into the Word. Then ask him to bless the works and words of your hands.

Expanding Your Book Sales With Little or No Money

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Luke 9:12-17)

Crowds came from all over to hear Jesus preach on the kingdom of God. For days leading up to this, Jesus had healed all who came to him. Demons were cast out and afflictions cured. Folks flocked to get more of this healing and help. So when the Twelve came to Jesus in private and warned that he needed to disperse the crowd so they could get a bite to eat, no doubt the Twelve thought their compassionate advice would be rewarded.

Instead Jesus basically says, “You take care of ’em.”

How often do you feel this is Jesus’ response to your prayers for book sales? You’ve written, pitched, published, promoted… advertised on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, Google… tweeted, flittered here and there on blog tours… held launch parties, post-launch parties, given away books, Amazon gift cards… and still your books languish, buried at the bottom of categories.

In response to this gentle rebuke, the Twelve answered Jesus, “Unless we…” 

You’ve given all you have. All your time, all your effort, all your hopes… And still your books will remain lost under a surging sea of new releases… Unless Jesus steps in.

That’s one of the main lessons from this incredible story. What you cannot accomplish, Jesus can. Let’s look at how Jesus created abundance out of scarcity.

Jesus spoke about the kingdom of his Father’s goodness and love. That’s step one.

Jesus spoke to them about the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:14)

When it comes to promoting your books, lead with God’s words, promises, and truth. Speak less about what you think might or might not happen and more about what our Father says will happen for those who love him, are in his Son, and whose Son is in them.
Jesus looked to heaven for his help. 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1)

You must look up as well. This is where active faith is born—in knowing that only he can do what we cannot.
Whether little or much, give thanks.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

An attitude of gratitude opens the heavenly gates of provision. One book sale, two? Say thanks. No book sales? Say thanks for allowing you to publish a book. The world is filled with people who wish they could write, wish they had published book, but don’t. You are blessed. Reflect your gratitude for this gift of writing.
Break, divide, and sort what you have. A little can go a long way. 

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry.’” (1 Kings 17:14)

Broken into small pieces, our promotional efforts become easier. Do those things that bring our Father glory, that give you joy, and cost little or nothing. Do those things that can be sustained for years, not simply weeks. Ours is a long haul delivery. Enjoy the journey, the scenery, the people you meet.
Distribute to those willing to help. 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Don’t try to do it all yourself. You can’t. Give tasks to those who offer to help. Then hold them accountable.
Carefully place your promotional efforts before others. Don’t simply toss out your best work like you’re feeding hogs.

The servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22:10)

Be gentle and wise, considerate and frugal. What you produce is precious. Treat it with care.  Share with all who are in need of your words and message, not simply those you think are your “target audience.” The least may very well become your best and most loyal evangelists.

If you do this, you will be pleased with the results. The remains will be gathered to feed others. You will not be worn out from your work. Joy and peace will follow and all who hear of you will be inspired by your example. That is the lesson for expanding your book sales Jesus’ way.

Let Us Stop Opposing Ourselves With Our Sins

2 Timothy 2:25

Did you know that your sins and filthy farming can leave your bountiful harvest mired in muck?

When we exchange our lives for the life of Christ, our old bodies rot away on scarecrow poles. With sin dead in our old bodies, we are no longer slaves to sin. In fact the only way sin can live in our new born bodies is to resurrect sin. But in hopes of living two lives, the life of sin we enjoyed and our new life in Christ, we often bring to life that old corps.

In order to survive sin needs energy and nutrients. Because sin is always dying in our new bodies, it needs more energy and more nutrients. This is one reason sin is never satisfied and always demanding more. In our old bodies sin found a natural source of nutrients in our carnal flesh, but it our new bodies sin faces a hostile environment—one purified by the Spirit of Christ.

To revive sin and allow it to once again become our master is to become a traitor, and in war traitors are shot. Jesus will can and will forgive us if we confess our sins, but the back and forth fighting over our heart’s desire will often leave our crops trampled.

If we wish to see a bountiful harvest we need to remove all filth from our fields and keep our tools clean.

Our obedience to God’s Word leads to righteousness in Christ.His righteousness leads to holiness.Our righteousness and holiness in Christ brings power and plenty and abundant grace for the work we do.

Let us stop opposing ourselves by resurrecting the corpse of sin. Claim the righteousness of Christ, live in his holiness, and stop feeding that old scarecrows corpse that is rotting away.