137: Don’t Just Write Stories, Write Messages That Change Lives.

Who would you be today if you never learned to read? Would you be the same or would you lack the knowledge you’ve acquired over the years? As authors, our number one goal should be to educate, encourage and entertain through the use of words.

In today’s episode, we’re looking at the power of our message and the impact it can have on our reader’s lives. How we can take simple sentences and structure them in a way that makes crystal clear the message that God has placed on our heart. Also, I have a great tip for you this week that should elevate your productivity to the next level and what it takes to make a decision and follow through.



As a Christian, the number one priority in my writing is to convey the message of Jesus Christ. I don’t mince words, and I take seriously the message he has entrusted to my care. The world is falling apart at the seams and people are looking for something tangible and real, therefore, through our words, we can convey two things; the truth of Gods word and to reveal the human condition.

I always desired to be a writer. The simple notion of trying to take a story and craft a lesson, like Jesus did with his parables, thrilled me. One of my favorite authors is Christian horror novelist, Frank Peretti. His use of imagination to convey spiritual truths astounds me even today. This is what I desired for my life. What about you?

Today’s Christian Concept:

Have you needed to make a choice and wondered if you made the right decision? Life is full of choices, deciding this or that and waiting to see the results of your course of action.

Some decisions are easy to make; what sandwich do I want at Subway, what movie should we watch, do I repair the whole deck with new boards or just fix the rotten ones? Each action we take has either a positive or negative reaction.

But what does Jesus say?

Matthew [16:24]-26; “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (ESV)

Jesus is saying that when we follow him and die to our flesh, we find true life and success. But if we hold onto our lives, we end up losing it and forfeiting our soul.

We love to be in control and make our own decisions but to decide means to kill off the other choice.

The word Decide can be broken into two words:



* De = to strike and be firm and unbending

* Cide = to kill off and destroy. (example – Pesticide)



The Lord is calling us to choose or decide him above all that life offers. We like control and to sit in the driver’s seat, yet, Jesus is asking us to take up the cross and follow him. If we follow Jesus to his death, we will be resurrected in mind, body, and spirit.

He’s asking us to:



* Lay down our desires for this life in exchange for the life he offers.

* Be unbending in service to the King in all areas of life.

* To kill off our flesh and daily desires so we can be resolved.



What are you willing to do?

Paul says in Ephesians [4:29]-32; “And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. The Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life. Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.” (TPT)

That’s what it means to lay down our life,