As part of an assignment in a writing course I was required to write a short essay offering advice for young writers of inspirational works. The finished product is below.

Writing for Inspiration

Unfortunately, there is no step-by-step process for writing an inspirational work. Perhaps it is recognizing this fact that is your first clue in approaching the subject: avoid formulas. A piece of inspiration should originate from the heart as inspired by the Holy Spirit rather than a checklist. Once the Spirit has impressed a subject upon your heart, the next task is to identify your audience. Make no apologies for selecting a particular audience as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, however, you may want to select an audience that you share a connection with. Once you have selected your audience remain focused; remember them at every point in the writing process. Do not neglect praying for God’s inspiration. Remember, the audience is why you are writing to begin with.

Once the audience is selected the research begins. Your inspirational work, be it an article or devotional, will need to be founded upon Scripture. It is important that you understand the Scripture you are basing your work on. Consult commentaries, dictionaries, and other sources as needed to make sure you are properly applying Scripture to your work. Take care not to rush the process. A finished product that misapplies Scripture may actually serve to do more harm than good. Remember that your writing should serve to illuminate Scripture so it may speak into the hearts of your audience. Never allow Scripture to take a back seat in your work; give the Word of God the station it deserves.

When all the research is finished get out your writer’s toolbox. This is where the nuts and bolts of writing come into play. Begin with a draft. Worry less about grammar and syntax at this point and more about simply getting the words out. Once the words are on the page revise, reorganize, and rewrite. Look for words and passages that can be cut from the original draft. Shape and mold your work into a finished product. Do this prayerfully and with great attention.

Once the final draft is complete, review your markets. Do your best to identify which market your work is suited for. If possible, read the works your market has previously published asking questions along the way. Does my work fit well into the market’s overall body of publications? Does my audience fit within their audience? Does my work meet the requirements of the market as presented in their submission guidelines? Once you’re convinced your work is ready for submission and suitable for a given market, all that is left to do is submit and pray.

One final word: Do not become discouraged if your work is rejected. It happens. Your work is likely to be rejected more than it is accepted. Look at rejection as a challenge to go back over the process with determination. You may find that your work simply needs to find the correct market. Never give up! If God has laid it upon your heart to write, write with the confidence your work will eventually find the correct audience.

May God bless you and your writing exploits!

Clark

Paul used the example of Abraham to illustrate how we are saved by faith rather than deeds.

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3)

Notice what Paul doesn’t say. He doesn’t claim that Abraham understood it all. He never claims that Abraham understood how God was going to give him and his wife children as such an advanced age. The how was a mystery to Abraham; yet he believed God anyway.

In the same way, the Christian doesn’t have to understand how Christ’s act on the cross allows access to God … rather, the Christian need only to respond in faith. On my day of conversion I understood little about God, the Bible, or the debates within theological circles. I knew only one thing … Christ was beautiful and died for me. I understood that my acknowledgement of Christ’s sacrifice somehow allowed me to approach a God whom I had never believed in and ask for forgiveness. More than anything, I felt the overwhelming affirmation that God loved me and expressed that love through Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we often ruin the Gospel.

We make the Gospel message about so much more than the mystery of Christ. We add rules and superfluous beliefs to the mix. Here’s a top ten list of things we Christians love to add to the gospel of Christ:

1. You must be a republican.
2. You must be a democrat.
3. You must be against abortion.
4. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Homosexuals need not apply.
5. The Bible is infallible in every sense of the word.
6. All drinking, swearing, smoking, and any other visible sins must cease immediately.
7. Divorced people are one step above sewer scum.
8. Hell is a real tangible place and you’re in danger of being sent there every waking minute of your life.
9. Let’s not even mention evolution.
10. Prayer belongs in schools!

Make no mistake, Christ will shape how a person views every item on that list, but that’s not the point … here’s the point – it’s often not enough for Christians that an unbeliever would come to Christ … sure, we want them to come to Christ, but more than anything we want them to come to Christ while agreeing with us on every single issue. Isn’t it overwhelming enough for a nonbeliever to entertain the thought of Christ as Savior without being forced to make up their minds on every facet of life?

The Bible just tells the unbeliever to come to Christ in faith.

Without a doubt, salvation will eventually shape the way a believer sees everything in his or her life. My views on nearly every subject have done a 180 since Christ entered the equation; however, none of it happened on day one. Christ has slowly worked me. My views have slowly changed and I have become more graceful in my daily walk. I thank Christ for changing me and pray that He will continue to chip away at my person until I look more like Him.

I pray for those I love to have that same experience.

Just come to Christ in faith.

Beautiful.

Our Lord and God.
You are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because You have created all things,
and because of Your will
they exist and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

It occurred to me this morning how often I fail to show respect and honor to God. Either in my actions or in the words that escape my lips. It isn’t that God is a task-master with an iron grip who forces His subjects to behave in a certain way; rather, He simply deserves respect. He is the Creator and sustainer of life and in all that we do we should show Him honor, respect, and shower Him with glory and praise.

So often I pray for God to use me in big ways. I want things to be dramatic and I pray that God will pave the way for me to leave a huge mark on the world. I wonder now if those prayers are really just a request for honor and glory to be bestowed upon myself. If my chief concern is to show honor to God it stands to reason that I would be content with whatever role He gives me to play – regardless of how small. Paul writes in the book of Colossians that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we should do it in the name of Christ, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17). Whatever we do – no matter how big or small – we should do it in a way that honors God.

I asked myself what job I would decline in the coming Kingdom of Christ and I couldn’t think of one – no matter how menial. I would take the worst job in Christ’s Kingdom over an eternity in hell. The worst job. It is that attitude we must adopt in our present age. We should be ready to accept any job, no matter how dirty, provided it brings glory and honor to God.

This is the attitude I am praying for this morning. This is the attitude I want to adopt in the here and now. I want God to be honored and glorified by everything I do … no matter how small.

To God go the Glory!

How does Christ help you in this moment?

I suppose this is the million dollar question. I’ve been asked before how Christ applies to our lives in a cold and hopeless world. Pastors talk a great deal about how we should live our lives yet rarely give us practical information to use when our world shatters. I’ve discovered in my own life that Christ isn’t a magic pill. Becoming a Christian didn’t end all the pain and sorrow I witness in the world nor even end it in my own life.

You won’t hear many Christians say that.

We talk a lot about how Christ has made our life better. We talk about the joy and peace that we experience after our conversions. All of that is true, yet, there is another reality. I witness Christians everyday whose lives are in a shambles. I’ve seen fellow brothers and sisters everyday who are barely holding on by a thread. If honest, I’ve been in the same situation.

This world can be a terrible place at times. As Christians we must understand this basic fact of life and meet people in the midst of their sorrow and their pain. The Bible teaches that ever since man’s fall in the Garden of Eden we have been caught adrift in an ever-spiraling tsunami of sin. We shouldn’t be surprised by pain and suffering; rather, we should expect it. Paul wrote that the ruler of this age is none other than Satan himself (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan is the author of our pain. When we’re on the brink of disaster it is because he has tricked us into seeing the world through his eyes.

Christ offers a new reality.

Christians are aliens to this world (1 Peter 2:11). Our true nature is in Christ who promises a coming Kingdom where we will be delivered from the mess we find ourselves in. The fleeting moments of peace and joy that we find in this fallen world foreshadows His coming Kingdom where Satan will be bound and we will no longer be deceived into seeing things his way (Revelations 20:1-10).

Because we are citizens of Christ’s coming Kingdom we can find refuge and strength in the Lord (Psalm 46:1). We can take comfort in Christ’s coming Kingdom.

Consider Christ’s words …

So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy. In that day you will not ask Me anything. (John 16:22-23)

At the heart of Christianity is Christ’s promise that someday we will suffer no longer. We will live in the shadow of His perfect rule. It’s that promise that we must hold on to when times are rough. It’s that promise that we must deliver to those in need of hearing it.

The promise is everything.

It is that promise that we must meditate on every day of our lives. we must tattoo it on our heart so we can draw on it in times of need. We serve a Lord who restores us into right relationship with God and then promises a coming Kingdom that is perfect!

It is then that we will suffer no more. Satan will be bound. And Christ shall permeate our thoughts, souls, and bodies just as it was meant to be before the fall.

Amen.

We cannot blame sugary soft drinks for obesity, tobacco for lung cancer, media for corrupting our children, immodestly dressed men or women for our lust, social media for divorce, etc. The problem is sinful hearts, and the only solution is the good news found in Jesus Christ alone. All humanity must admit that the good news is Jesus Christ and that our sinful hearts are the bad news. Husbands and wives cheat because they believe a new relationship (sin) is the good news (gospel).  Why do they believe this lie?  Because their hearts are evil.

I agree with Pastor Moore. Facebook isn’t the problem; rather, the problem is that in our fallen states we often times prefer sin over a relationship with Christ. Having recognized this preference for sin, however, one must wonder if Facebook is worth it for the married Christian. In the world of social media, temptation often runs rampant. A husband or wife who is prone to cheat probably shouldn’t run the risk of harboring friendships with members of the opposite sex apart from their marriage (online or otherwise). So would it be better if we just abstained from Facebook all together? After all, as Christians we should be looking for ways to limit opportunities for sin … and Facebook sure makes it a lot easier to cheat.

Personally, I would stop short of recommending that Christians abstain from Facebook all together. There are probably some that should, but not all. I would, however, recommend that all Christians who choose to use Facebook should do so wisely. Here are some tips:

1. Create a joint account with your spouse: I recommend all married couples do this because it puts to rest any suspicions (provided both the husband and the wife have unfettered access to the account). One positive result of a joint account is that friends, family, and others will begin to view you and your spouse as a couple. Admittedly, Facebook doesn’t have an official option to do this, but it’s easy enough to figure out after playing with the settings a bit.

2. Use Facebook as a tool to spread the gospel: Many of us are hesitant to discuss our faith with others. While you may not have the guts to evangelize in person, Facebook can be a natural extension of your walk with Christ. Did you have fun at church Sunday morning? Share it on Facebook. Did God answer a prayer? Praise Him on Facebook. Want to invite someone to a Bible study? Invite them on Facebook. Social media can be a wonderful way to share your Faith. If it offends someone, they can always un-friend you, right?

3. Use Facebook to connect with other believers. Utilize Facebook as an instantaneous way to communicate with your fellow believers. I’ve recently discovered that Facebook is a wonderful tool to voice urgent prayer needs. With one status update, I can instantly request prayer.

Granted, we could all close our Facebook accounts and sign up for Faithbook, but I submit there is a way we can use social media wisely.

What’s your opinion?