I want to share with you two powerful, thought-provoking, destiny-shaping quotes before we get into this teaching. Do yourself a favor don't skim these quotes or just glance at them. . .allow them to get deep inside of you.
"I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone. You have so much incredible potential on the inside. God has put gifts and talents in you that you probably don't know anything about." Pastor Joel Osteen
"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Here are seven ways to maximize your creative ability:
1. Check your attitude and be sure you’re open minded to new ideas.
How do you transform a bad attitude into a good one?
First, recognize and repent if have a bad attitude.
Acts 8:22 in the Amplified Bible says:
“So repent of this depravity and wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this contriving thought and purpose of your heart may be removed and disregarded and forgiven you.”
Let me point out. . .sin will hinder, if not, completely delay your creative thought-processes.
2 Corinthians 10:5 in the Amplified Bible says:
“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”
Second, let God do it.
If you need now or you’ve ever needed an attitude adjustment. . .the next three verses will give you a checkup from the neck up.
Romans 12:2 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
I’m sure you’re surprised I didn’t quote Romans 12:2 in the New Living Translation which says in part:
“. . .but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. . .”
Philippians 2:5 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]”
Ephesians 4:23 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].”
Third, equipping your attitude is an on-going process.
Philippians 4:8 in the Amplified Bible says:
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”
Albert Einstein said:
“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.”
Isaiah 43:19 in God’s WORD Translation says:
“I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.”
Albert Einstein also said:
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
2. Make sure you committed to doing things with excellence.
God is not into mediocrity. . .consider the words of Colossians 3:17 in the English Standard Bible which says:
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Everything God does. . .is first-class. He gave His best for us. . .He expects us to give Him our best.
2 Peter 1:4-5 in the New Living Translation says:
“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge.”
When we operate in excellence. . .it should be noticeable to everyone we know or for that matter, the ones we meet.
Matthew 5:16 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.”
Luke 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.”
God wants us operating with a more excellent attitude. . .which prompts creative thinking in our lives.
2 Peter 1:5 in the Amplified Bible says:
“For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence).”
3. Position yourself for creative periods where you can think beyond your imagination.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord so that I might see you, is more than a song….
In order to think creatively. . .it’s imperative that you create an environment free from distractions. . .a quiet place.
In other words, a place where no one else is talking or doing anything which will draw your attention and break your focus.
Be mentally and spiritually prepared to open your heart to receive what God is sending your way.
Jude 1:1 in the Message Bible says:
“. . .Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!”
Finally, when you allow yourself to rest and relax in Him. . .something’s coming your way.
Daniel 12:13 in the Message Bible says:
"And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward."
It’s important. . .that you choose the proper time and amount of time to think creatively. . .to clear your mental thought processes from the swirl of what goes on around you daily.
Here are seven keys to setting the proper mood and moment. . .to stir up your God-given creativity.
1. Find a quiet place.
2. Find a quiet time.
3. Turn off all electronic equipment.
4. Have something to write with and something to write on.
5. Personally, I like soothing anointed instrumental music.
6. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
7. Begin praising God for who He is and what He’s done.
Here are seven keys to thinking beyond your imagination.
1. Listen to Rich Thoughts For Breakfast every day. . .either through the live call or the playback. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your day and your thought- processes.
2. Create your daily confessions. . .based on where you want to go. . .what you want to do and/or be.
3. Wake up with a get-up-and-go spirit.When the alarm goes off, decide to get up excited. Praise God for the very special gift of another day He has given you. When you walk in the bathroom, look in the mirror and say, “Good morning, child of God. This is going to be a great day!”
4. Before you go to bed at night lay out the music and ministry teachings you will listen to the next morning.
Start your morning drive to work with some teaching that will inspire and motivate you. Listening to CDs, MP3s or your iPod will help you dress you mind just as you have dressed your body.
5. Encourage your family members just as you are being encouraged. It will help family harmony to have everyone believing for the pure, the powerful, and the positive from God’s Word.
6. Follow a definite reading plan. Your reading plan should feed your spirit…motivate you to become a better employee, employer or person.
I recommend you spend one-hour a day in your reading program beyond your daily devotionals.
7. Purpose in your heart to expand your mental abilities, and increase your communication skills by adding a new word to your vocabulary every day. At noon every day I received an alert from dictionary.com with a new word for the day.
4. Write down every idea you can think of and do not evaluate them while you’re writing them.
Before getting to the heart of this matter. . .it’s important to point out three hindrances some people. . .believers. . .face in being experiencing and enjoying the creative process.
First, some people don’t think they’re creative.
Let me be direct...have you ever been told you weren’t creative by someone through either there words or deeds?
If you buy into this lie. . .it will limit what God wants to do in and through your life.
Perhaps you don’t feel you’re creative because of some bad experience in school or your past. It’s just not true. . .you have the same creative potential as the smartest people I’ve ever met.
You have the mind of Christ and that makes you the most creative person on planet earth. . .regardless of what anyone else ever says to you.
Recognize, cultivate and manifest. . .His creativity in your life.
Second, some people don’t allow themselves the time to think creatively.
Third, we allow other people to restrict, ridicule or reduce the amount of time we allocate to thinking creatively. . .and believing God for fresh new ideas.
When putting yourself in an environment where you can think creatively. . .always be prepared to record what God is speaking to you.
1 Corinthians 14:40 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Our personal friend and mentor Dr. Mike Murdock says that “order is the accurate arrangement of things.”
When you begin your Holy Spirit led brainstorming session. . .let the ideas begin to flow. As they flow out of your spirit. . .write them down. . .don’t dwell on the idea. . .don’t justify or rationalize your ideas. . .just write them down. . .for later review. This would include ideas. . .timelines.. . .practical applications.
My prayer for you is that God will stir creative ideas and witty inventions. You don’t have to be an inventor to come up with an invention/idea/new product.
5. Have an inquiring mind and never be concerned what someone might say.
Years ago, Ford Motor Company had a slogan “Ford Has A Better Idea.” At the time they did.
You and I should also be searching. . .inquiring for new, fresh ideas.
But you need to know a lot of good ideas were ridiculed before being accepted.
Nehemiah was ridiculed when he wanted to rebuilt the wall.
Pharaoh ridiculed Moses for turning his rod into a serpent.
Even the donkey was ridiculed and beaten for trying to save Balaam’s life.
Have you ever been ridiculed for wanting a better quality of life. . .for stepping out in faith. . .perhaps even for believing the Word of God?
When God is leading you. . .stirring up the gifting in you. . .don’t let the opinions of others affect your motivation or commitment.
When God is leading you in the way you should go. . .counseling you with His eye upon you. Don’t worry, fret or even be concerned about what other people are thinking.
Psalm 32:8 in The Living Bible says:
“I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.”
I’m going to make what I consider to be a profound statement.
Whoever you spend the most time with. . .is the person you have the most confidence in.
We only need to be concerned about what one person is thinking about us.
Psalm 40:17 in The Living Bible says:
“I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now!”
According to my computer. . .it’s <<TIME>>. I want you to write down the last part of Psalm 40:17.
“. . .the Lord is thinking about me right now.”
Personalize it.
“. . .the Lord is thinking about <<Name>> right now.”
6. Keep thinking and focused.
Luke 9:41 in the Message Bible says:
“Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this?”
Focus can be simply defined as ‘whatever has your attention.’ It’s clear that God wants us focused on His plan for our lives.
God wants us blessed so we can be a blessing and thus establish His covenant in the earth. If focus is important to God, then it should be important to us.
Anthony Robbins, the noted author and motivation speaker said:
Hebrews 12 of the Message Bible.
“We’d better get on with it. . .keep your eyes on Jesus. . .Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed.”
Knowing where you’re headed in life. . .stirs a creative passionate in you.
7. Continually review your processes so you can maximize your effectiveness.
Do you know what CDs you’ll be listening to as you drive to work. . .or take the kids to school and run errands?
Do you have a regularly scheduled time to read. . .and I’m not just talking about your morning devotional. Books that fire you up. . .make you think beyond your imagination.
Bring order into the ways you shop. Always go with a list.
Give careful thought to the days you shop.
For instance, never go to WalMart on Saturday unless you go early in the morning. The same is true with visits to the grocery store.
If you’re married. . .always. . .have quality time with your spouse. Make every activity a date. . .in addition to regular date nights.
The key to maintaining order in your daily life. . .is to stay fresh. Schedule time to reflect and re-direct your focus.
Lamentations 3:40 in the New Living Translation which says:
“Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord.”
As you review your successes. . .as you monitor your plans. . .you will find a supernatural creativity being birthed in you. . .far beyond your imagination.
I’m going to make a statement I write you to write down and get engrafted in you.
“God doesn’t call the qualified. . .He qualifies the called.”
When you’re called of God. . .yielding to His direction and instruction. . .you will find an amazing, life-changing, destiny-shaping, mountain-moving creativity released into your life.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS
Harold Herring