Throwback Thursday | September 1st, 2013 | Like and subscribe!

Main message: God calls you to get off the spiritual/occupational "treadmill" of busy but misdirected living, make yourself available to Him, and pursue being a faithful servant rather than merely successful or busy. The preacher uses Matthew 12's healing story and his own sabbatical to illustrate cleansing, discernment, and reorientation toward God's purposes.

Key points:

• Jesus healed a demon-possessed, blind and mute man (Matthew 12), but the speaker warns not to assume every illness or struggle is demonic—context matters.
• The pastor felt his life/ministry was on a harmful treadmill, took a 90-day sabbatical to seek God, and experienced a supernatural sign he interpreted as spiritual cleansing.
• A brain scan during the sabbatical diagnosed ADD; he learned the brain can deceive, so thoughts must be taken captive and managed through discipline (diet, exercise, supplements, habits).
• Practical discernment involved learning to say no, slowing down, trying new things (learning Spanish, ministering in Costa Rica) and submitting intent to God—God honors sincere intent.
• During the sabbatical his father died; the experience further refined him and reinforced the urgency of living intentionally and available to God's call.
• Challenge to listeners: identify your treadmill, step off into God's hands, set boundaries, and aim to hear "Well done" from God rather than settle for external approval.

Scriptures mentioned: Matthew 12:22-28