THINK DIFFERENTLY. By Pastor Fernando.

SCRIPTURE
The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. (NLT)
Isaiah 8:11

OBSERVATION
During this season in Isaiah's life, the people of Judah, starting with the leaders and the priests, were morally and spiritually corrupted. And even though God was warning them over and over about the consequences of their behavior, they refused to change their ways, and continued walking according to their own thoughts. Their ways were far from God's because their hearts were far from Him. And their hearts were far away from Him because their thoughts were far from God's.

APPLICATION
There's a pattern in our lives that can either bring life or death. This pattern starts with our minds, goes through our hearts and ends in our feet. The way we think determines the desires of our heart, and the desires of our heart will determine the way we walk in life. People try to deal with their behavior and emotions, but they fail each time when they don't deal with the mind. first. We cannot underestimate what's going on in our thoughts.

During this new season in my life God is warning me to think differently in three main levels. First of all, I cannot think like this world thinks. This may be easy and logical for a follower of Christ, but I must recognize that there are many instances where my thoughts are not God's but this world's. The reason why many Christians today do not look really different than the world is because we marinate our minds in the same cultural mindset. Just as I take good care of my body by protecting it from harmful things, with greater zeal I must protect my thoughts from the mindset of this world.

Secondly, I must think differently than the vast majority of my peers. As a church leader, I must tap into the creative skills God has given me to reach those who others are not reaching. Copy and paste is overrated. Borrowed anointing does not bring fresh bread to my flock. The kingdom of God needs the unique gifts God has given me for His glory.

And finally, I must think differently than myself. Today I'm in front of a completely unused canvas. I cannot rely on the glory form the past. I will never be able to be creative if I keep using yesterday's manna. It is time to walk by faith and take my imagination to wherever the Holy Spirit wants to take me. This is not just about thinking outside the box, but about blowing the box away. The best ideas are yet to be conceived. The best songs are yet to be written. The best sermons are yet to be preached. It's is time to take seriously God's earning and not to think like everyone else does.

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, you are the essence of creativity. Let me surrender all my thoughts to your Holy Spirit and help me to marinate my mind in your ways, not in this world's. Give me humility to think beyond the limits and believe the impossible. Help me to lead creatively and courageously. And help me to leave my past behind, the failures and the great victories. Give me a resilient conviction to move forward to what's new. Burst my old wineskin so I can taste the new wine you have for me. It's all about you!