Eddie Jones's Blog, page 20

Let Us Stop Opposing Ourselves With Our Thoughts, Imaginations, and Fantasies

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (2 Timothy 2:25)

As we continue to study how we oppose ourselves, let’s examine how our thoughts, imaginations, and fantasies work against the desires God places in our hearts.

We feed our hearts with purpose and success when we build fantasy worlds in our minds with honorable thoughts, God’s word, and perfect and pure images.

Serve God with a perfect heart and willing mind, for he searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of our thoughts. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Once good things are conceived in our hearts we can look forward in hope to the finished outcome.

Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)

God gifts us with the ability to imagine what is not and create what will be. But when we use words, said or silent, in perverse ways, those things which we create can destroy. Consider how many times — by simply creating a conclusion in our mind and without any evidence — we’ve believed in the negative motives of others. We expect a reply from a text, email, phone call, but none comes. We assume the worst. We conceive a negative trait in the other party. we begin to rehearse in our mind what we will say.

Consider how many times you sought to accomplish something small, perhaps even great, but at the time of the “big reveal” you silently expect failure, loss, judgement. Novelist Sarah Dessen writes, “If you expect the worst, you’ll never be disappointed.” For many, these are the fantasy worlds we build: ones constructed without hope, expectation, or risk.

Jesus calls us to hope, expect, and risk all for him. He calls us to love our enemies, not portray them as evil individuals deserving of judgement and punishment. To do good to those who hate us, not shame them. To bless those who curse us, to pray for those who mistreat us, to give to everyone who asks and lend without expecting anything in return. The fantasy worlds created in the Spirit of Christ are large, often messy, sometimes dangerous, but seldom boring.

Rather than imagining the worst in others, expect their best. Help them reach their best.

Rather than preparing for bad news, plan for success. Risk your heart in hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 is perhaps the most misapplied verse in all of Scripture, but the spirit behind the verse accurately reflects the heart of God.

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

If we will but claim the back half of this promise, hope and a future, our fantasy worlds will begin to more accurately reflect the creative character of God.

Let us stop opposing ourselves with our negative thoughts, imaginations, and fantasies and begin supporting ourselves with thoughts, imaginations, and fantasies inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.

 

 

Let Us Stop Opposing Ourselves With Our Ignorance of God’s character

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (2 Timothy 2:25)

In meekness the servant of the Lord should instruct those who oppose themselves.
(2 Timothy 2:25)

How might those of us in Jesus oppose ourselves?

With our wordsWith a lack of knowledge of God’s characterWith our thoughtsWith our sins and unrighteousnessWith our passivityWith our actions

Let’s look at how we oppose ourselves with our foolish ideas of God’s character.

If you have ever heard someone say, “My god would never …” or “the god I worship would not …” then you will recognize how important it is to accurately know God and his character. When we misunderstand the God who made the heavens and earth and attribute qualities to him that are incorrect — or worse, slanderous — then we have created a little god, a different god, a god that more closely reflects our character than his.

God Is Constant

We change. Our minds, bodies, and feelings change. Our attitudes and beliefs about God change. But God never changes. He is the same today as he was light years ago and will be light years from now. God is constant. He never wavers.

I am the Lord, I change not. (Malachi 3:6)

The Father of the heavenly lights does not change. (James 1:17)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

We oppose ourselves and create barriers for our success when we change our view of God from who he is to who we wish he were. When we change God to fit our view of who we think he should be, we are creating an idol and idols have no power. Our little gods cannot help us sell more books or bring a harvest of blessings. Only God can do the miraculous. When we accept that he is the God of consistency, the God who never changes, who never tires, who never gives up and quits on us, we tap into the same power that created planets and stars and all that is good.

God Is All Powerful

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made. (Psalm 33:6)

All things were made by him. Without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

There is nothing too difficult for God. No mistake, no poor book launch, no amount of negative reviews can prevent God from acting on your behalf. All things are made by him. If we lack anything, we should ask him. He gives generously to all without finding fault. (James 1:5) But when we fail to plug into his power, when we fail to ask — when we think it is beneath us to ask — we oppose ourselves.

Let us begin to ask God today to use his power for our good in order that we might do his will more perfectly. (Romans 8:28)

God Is Full of Perfect Wisdom

The depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge are God’s! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)

We oppose ourselves when we fail to ask God for his perfect wisdom. Many a poor decision ends in failure because we failed to ask for God’s perfect wisdom at the beginning. Perhaps in pride, perhaps in ignorance, but thinking we know best is one of the worst ways we oppose ourselves. Ask God at the start and our endings will be certain.

God Is Full of Beauty, Faithfulness, Generosity, Gentleness, Goodness, Grace, Holiness, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Joy, Peace, Patience, and Righteousness, 

There are so many wonderful qualities of God that is perhaps easier to say:

Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise, these are the qualities of God. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Anytime we think less of God than he is, we oppose ourselves and hinder our success. Anytime we believe he wants less for us, we oppose ourselves and hinder our success. Worse, in doing so we diminish the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. He came that we may have life, and have a life so full that it’s pressed into our hearts and flowing out.” (John 10:10)

Know the character of God. Read his word and you will see him for who he is. Read the words of Jesus and you will gain a larger picture of God and his fullness. Finally, if you are in Christ, then pray that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19-21) When we reach this level of completeness in Christ, we will no longer have any desire to oppose ourselves.

The Kingdom of God Is Voice Activated — Let Us Stop Opposing Ourselves With Our Words

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (2 Timothy 2:25)

In meekness the servant of the Lord should instruct those who oppose themselves.
(2 Timothy 2:25)

How might those of us in Jesus oppose ourselves?

With our wordsWith a lack of knowledge of God’s characterWith our thoughtsWith our sins and unrighteousnessWith our passivityWith our actions

Let’s look at how our words oppose ourselves. The Kingdom of God is voice activated. Words matter. Words create.  All of what we know of heaven and earth began with a word from God.

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1)

Throughout all of chapter one of Genesis God speaks and things are. Light, sky, dry land, seas, plants and trees — the Sun, Moon and stars — creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly.

Our words also create: ideas, concepts, stories … our words inspire, encourage, renew hope. But our words also can dull eyes, ears, and hearts, discourage, and destroy life. In writing, in our work, the words we speak reflect what we expect to happen.

The woman with an issue of blood said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. (Mark 5:28)

Blind Bartimaeus cried out, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Luke.18:38)

A man with leprosy came to Jesus and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40-45)

Our words spoken aloud and silently make us whole, give us sight, cleanse us of all unrighteousness when the focus of our faith is in Jesus.

A popular commercial asks: “What’s in your wallet.” Perhaps it’s time we ask: “What’s in my heart?”

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)

Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of your heart flow the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

“The Spirit gives life. The flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” – Jesus (John 6:63)

The next time someone pays you a compliment, do not say, “Oh, it was nothing.” Our actions are something. They spring from our heart. And if we are filled with the Spirit of Jesus, life is in our words.

If you believe your books, your writing, your blog, your talks, sermons, conversations with others are of value, declare it to yourself. Accept compliments from others. Rejoice and praise Jesus when you win awards, receive a positive review, receive a book contract.

Work with God. Work with yourself. When we do this, our work will prosper.

 

 

Your Books Will Always Be at the Top, Never Below

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Deuteronomy 28:13)

You will always be above, never beneath. (Deuteronomy 28:13)

Lord, we come to you confessing that we do not always obey your commands. At times, though you have written them for us, we do not even know your commands. And still you love us. Still you sent your Son Jesus to die for us. Still you reach down from heaven to heal and help us.

Therefore, you have removed our sins from us (Psalm 103:12), we claim this mighty promise that we will always be above, never beneath. 

To our books we say, “Rise, you books! Be above! Stand at the top of lists! Conquer all categories! Glorify God with your virtue, might, strength, purpose, and truth!”

Thank you, Lord, for breathing life into our books and for placing our books above all others.

Amen and hallelujah!

God Gives Life to the Dead – Even Dead Books

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Romans 4:17)

God gives life to the dead. (Romans 4:17)

Does your book seem dead? Breathe life into it with the words of God.

God formed man of dust from the ground. He breathed life into the man’s nostrils. (Genesis 2:7) God gives life and breath and all things to people. (Acts 17:25) Because the breath of the Lord blows on the grass, it withers. Flowers fall. (Isaiah 40:7)

If the breathe of God can cause flowers and grass to shrivel and die, he can also breathe life into grass, flowers, and books.

Are not books made of paper? Is paper not made from pulp? Does not pulp come from trees? Your book is a living organism. Or was.

God calls into being things that were not. (Romans 4:17) Call your book to life. Declare to your books: Live, you books! Expect your books to live. Prepare for your books to live. Speak bold words of live to your books.

Then watch the mighty power of God work on your behalf.

Water Into Wine — With a Word Jesus Creates Backstory

Book Marketing Jesus' Way

We think in linear time: beginning, middle, end —Act 1, Act 2, Act 3 – sequel. But with God and Jesus time is not a constraint but a canvas. What God speaks into existence has no beginning and end. At least not until he determines its lifespan.

Consider for a moment that your words are eternal. That what you speak and write goes forth and goes back, is the power of life and death for tomorrow, yesterday, and today. (Proverbs 18:21)

Early in his ministry Jesus visited Cana in Galilee. On the third day a wedding took place with Jesus and his disciples in attendance. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing. In the Book of Exodus we learn that Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet with water before entering the tent of meeting. They did this so they would not go into the holy glory and presence of God and be struck dead. (Exodus 30:19-20)

To all but his mother and a few disciples, Jesus is but a common man. An individual rumored to be a bastard child. A nobody from Nazareth, a backwater town of little importance.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled the six stone jars, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

If you wish to know how faith works, we find it in Jesus’ instructions. “Draw some out. Take it to.”

Two simple directives that carry great risk — for it the servants took washing water to the master of the banquet they would be subject to ridicule at the very least and, depending on their status as servants, the lash.

Yet they obeyed.

This is how faith moves from our head to our heart. We may know a great deal about Jesus but until we risk obeying his words, we do not know him, not really.

The master of the banquet tasted the water.

Let us stop and ask:

What was the master expecting?What were the servants expecting?What was Mary, the mother of Jesus, expecting?What do you expect Jesus to do for you?

From the time the servants began walking from the jars to when they reached the master of the banquet, washing water became wine. And not just any wine but the choicest wine. “The best wine is served first,” the master said, “then after the guests have had too much to drink, the cheaper wine, But you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:1-10)

Great wine takes months or years to reach its peak flavor. Jesus’ wine took seconds.

In a moment, with a word, Jesus created the wine’s backstory. The vineyard, the grapes, the harvesting, its pressing, and fermenting all occurred instantly with a word from Jesus, or a sigh, or a silent command.

This is Jesus first recorded miracle in the New Testament, but it’s not his first recorded miracle. In fact, it’s one of many leading up to this moment.

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God. Through the Word all things were made. Without the Word nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3) So we might read the third day of creation in this way.

The Word said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God (the master) saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. (Genesis 1:9-13)

With a word Jesus commanded water to be changed from a group of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom into flavonols, anthocyanins and tannins. If he can do that with water, he can do it with your book. If he can create good things from what was not, he can breathe life into your book.

Question is, will we speak life into our books and walk in faith, trusting that the power of the spoken word from Jesus will transform a mere book into something excellent?

Or will we keep believing the lie that we are not worthy of the best?

How we respond will determine the success of our book.

 

A Prayer for Increase

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (3 John 1:2)

Dear friend, I pray that in all respects you may prosper.
(3 John 1:2)

Share this prayer with those who believe in you and believe in your writing and words.

Five Practical Steps From Jesus About How to Market Our Books

Book Marketing Jesus' Way (Mark 8:1-8)

When it comes to our book marketing efforts, Jesus offers several practical steps.  (Mark 8:1-8)

“He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.” First, sit and rest. Stop rushing about. Stop trying every new marketing program that comes along. Stop opening scam-spam emails that promise instant best-seller success. Stop wasting money on promotional efforts that promise results. How can any group promise results without first knowing you, your book, and its quality? Stop. Rest. You are in the Lord’s house. You are the Lord’s house (1 Corinthians 3:16). Relax and reflect upon him and his words.

“When he had taken the seven loaves, Jesus gave thanks.” Second, give thanks for what you have. This is key. An attitude of gratitude nourishes our soul. An attitude of gratitude nourishes the seeds we’ve sown. Bitterness salts our soul and soil. Be grateful for the books you’ve written. Be grateful for the book you are writing. Be grateful for the author connections you’ve made. Be grateful for the reviews you’ve received, both good and bad. (There is almost always a nugget of truth in every negative review. Let us find those truths and learn from them.) Be grateful for past, present, and future book sales. Be grateful at all times, in all circumstances.

“Jesus broke the seven loaves.” Third, divide what you have. Do not hoard your harvest. We do not gather to store and protect, but to share. We can not give with clinched fists. Ours must be an attitude of open hands that generously give to others. If you have books sitting on a shelf gathering dust, ask who needs to be fed with an inspired word, story, sermon, or lesson. Then give away your book. Trust that the Lord of the harvest will provide more seed. No books gathering dust? Ask who needs to be fed with an inspired word, story, sermon, or lesson. Buy your books. Pay to ship your books. The prisons are filled with individuals who love to receive mail — and sometimes books. If you do not know of someone incarcerated, go to this link and simply search by your last name (as an example). Pick an inmate and ship a book.

“Jesus gave the seven loaves to his disciples to distribute to the people.” Fourth, ask your disciples to distribute your books to new readers. We cannot do all the work. We need help from others. We need our tribe of loyal supporters to join with us in our ministry. And yes, our writing is ministry work. In the same way you might ship books to an inmate, ask your disciples to do the same on your behalf. Ask them to share with others why you write for God’s glory.

“The disciples did so” Finally, follow up. Make sure your tribe of disciples have completed their tasks. Do not simply instruct, but also exhort, encourage, and praise. We lead by coming under and behind others with God’s Spirit of love, joy, and peace. Be a blessing to others and others will be drawn to you.

Be encouraged! Believe! The eyes of the Lord roam about the earth looking to bless and strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless his people. He will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 115:12-15)

The Keys to Marketing Your Book — Is Your Book Inspired?

Book Marketing Jesus' Way Matthew 16:15-17

Inspiration always precedes revelation.

Inspiration from the spirit of the flesh will produce one type of revelation. It may come as a surprising idea, shocking suggestion, or secret objective.

Inspiration from the Holy Spirit will produce a different revelation — one birthed in power and truth.

When Jesus asked Simon Peter, ““Who do you say I am?” the disciple answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

What birthed Simon’s response? Why did he answer in this way? If his intent was to flatter Jesus in order to gain favor, we would expect Jesus to rebuke Simon for his duplicity. But Jesus does not.

Instead Simon makes a shocking pronouncement and Jesus confirms his words. Simon declares that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah that has come to save and liberate God’s people.

Where did Simon get this idea? How could Simon know this even as the Jewish leaders and teachers did not?

“This revelation was not given to you by the spirit of man,” Jesus said, “but by my Father in heaven. This truth he has revealed to you.”

Has God’s Holy Spirit spoken a secret word, a hidden truth to you with regards to your book?

Are you convinced that your writing is inspired or are you simply producing works based on your own flesh-spirit’s motivation?

That which God breathes life into will live — even books. He breathes life into dead bones, into bread, into wine.

If your words glorify the Father, bring them before Christ. Offer your works as a sacrifice. Give your best writing to the Father. Then ask that Christ bless them and breathe life into your books.

Simon became “Peter,” “Petros,” Πέτρος, a pebble — a stone to be tossed. And on this pebble Jesus built his Church. The Kingdom of God advances one word, one phrase, one truth at a time.

Be inspired. Believe!

Five Encouraging Statements From Jesus About Our Book Marketing Efforts

Book Marketing Jesus' Way

When it comes to our book marketing efforts, Jesus makes several encouraging statements. (Mark 8:1-8)
“I have compassion for you.”

“You are with me.”

“You are hungry.”

“You are weak.”

“You have come a long way.”

Let’s explore how these five statements can lead to an expanded area of influence for us, an enlarged sales territory, and an abundant harvest, not for our benefit, but for his.

“I have compassion for you.” We do not need to beg Jesus to bless our books, our writing, our ministry of speaking, teaching, and preaching. He feels for us. He is sensitive to our circumstances. He is concerned for us. Because Jesus cares for our welfare, physical and spiritual health, and vocation, our Father in heaven is eager to give good things to them that ask. (Matthew 7:11)

“You are with me.” We can do a great many things on our own, but when we are with Jesus and in our Father’s will, we can do even greater things than Jesus. (John 14:12-14) Jesus said to his disciples, “You are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20) “In that day (when we see Jesus in his risen-from-the-grave glory) you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

What a tremendous promise and blessing! Jesus wants your books to sell. He desires that your influence for him grows. Our task is to make sure our hands and thoughts remain clean and pure, that there is nothing in our past or present that will diminish his glory by our actions. If there is anything in your past that needs to be confessed, healed, and cleaned, bring it to Jesus.

“You are hungry.” Those who are full and satisfied may not feel the urgency that comes with hunger. We do. We crave God’s blessings, his power, his purpose in our lives, his anointing. Those who are empty can and will be filled to fullness, pressed, shaken down, and running over into soaked laps. If you’re hungry for success, prepare to be blessed.

“You are weak.” The weak are blessed. God works miracles through those who are weak. “I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)

No social media presence? No problem for God. His presence is with you.

No platform? Our platform is in helping our neighbor.

No agent? God is in the business of connecting us with just the right person at just the right time. (Genesis 24:12-16)

Those who are poor in spirit are blessed. Those too broken-hearted to hope are comforted. In the kingdom of our Father are all the resources we will ever need. (Matthew 5:3)

“You have come a long way.” You have done a lot, written much, tried many things. You are not at the beginning of your writing journey but far along the path. You have put in the hours to improve your craft, learned from others, and built relationships with established authors, agents and editors. You have invested much.

But what have you harvested?

If we have planted much, but harvested little. (Haggai 1:6), let us check to see if God’s holy temple, our bodies, remain in ruins due to sin. While each of us is busy with our own affairs, we should check to see if we have neglected to spend time with our Father. (Haggai 1:9)

We have come a long way. Let us come further and fall into the arms of Jesus. Let him cleanse us. Let him teach us. Let him guide us. Let him love us. Let him lead us.

Then expect the seed you’ve sown to produce a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was scattered. (Matthew 13:8) This is book marketing Jesus’ way.

Believe and be blessed!