Episode Summary:

In today’s episode, we’re talking about something deeply personal—the struggle of letting the grind overshadow God’s grace and the call back to intimacy with Him. After realizing that my striving had robbed me of peace and intimacy with God, I wiped my plans clean—literally—and replaced them with one word: presence. Join me as I reflect on this journey, share Scripture that’s been speaking to me, and invite you to prioritize abiding in God over striving for efficiency.

Scripture References:

John 15:4-5: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Key Takeaways:

God’s priority is intimacy, not efficiency.

Striving may lead to burnout, but abiding leads to refreshment and fruitfulness.

Sometimes, we need to wipe the whiteboard of our plans clean and let God realign our focus.

The call to “be still” is an invitation to trust God’s presence and provision, even when we feel overwhelmed.

Challenge to You:

What would it look like to prioritize God’s presence this month? Take some time to reflect on your plans and consider replacing your striving with stillness.

Announcement:

I’m taking a break from the podcast for the rest of December to focus on abiding in God. I’ll be back in January, refreshed and ready to share what God has been teaching me. If you’d like to join me in this season of abiding, download the free December devotional at https://UnshackledNetwork.org/december-devo.

Watch: https://youtu.be/r8h0I3qt5YU           

In this episode, we explore how the relentless pursuit of productivity and success can disconnect us from God’s presence. Inspired by Jeremiah 17:5-8, we compare the dry, brittle life of self-reliance to the thriving, fruitful life that comes from trusting in God.

Reading Plan Passages 

1 Chronicles 24- 25

1 Peter 5

Micah 3

Psalm 104

Main Points:

The Danger of the Grind: Striving in our own strength leads to exhaustion and spiritual dryness.

Trust in God: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, thriving like a tree planted by water.

Moving from Grinding to Flowing:

Pause for God’s Presence: Practical ways to incorporate stillness with God into daily life.

Daily Re-Surrender: Trusting God with your work, dreams, and struggles.

Root Yourself in the Word: Staying connected to God through Scripture.

A Personal Story: The Ordered Chaos Club journey and lessons on surrendering our "alabaster boxes" to God.

Practical Takeaways:

Start your day with silence before God.

Use a timer to take presence walks or short moments of gratitude.

Keep a surrender journal to remind yourself of what you’ve placed in God’s hands.

Root yourself in Scripture through meditation, memorization, and music.

Reflection Questions:

Are you holding onto something so tightly that you’re missing God’s purpose for it?

What would it look like for you to re-surrender your grind to God?

In this episode, we explore Nehemiah 8:10, where the people of Jerusalem, after rebuilding the city walls and hearing God’s Word, are encouraged to celebrate rather than grieve. Pastor Fury delves into the meaning of the phrase "The joy of the Lord is your strength" and how it serves as a source of resilience and power. Drawing parallels with Isaiah 58, we see how joy and worship are meant to overflow into acts of compassion and generosity. Pastor Fury shares a personal testimony of experiencing God’s joy through generosity, including his kidney donation story, illustrating how serving others brings even more joy.

Reading plan Passages for Today:

1 Chronicles 16

James 3

Obadiah 1

Psalm 92-93

Key Takeaways:

The joy of the Lord is a deep, unshakable confidence in who God is, not fleeting happiness.

God’s joy strengthens us, not just for personal resilience but for serving others with love and compassion.

Generosity can multiply joy, creating a cycle of giving and receiving in God’s kingdom.

Call to Action:

Spend time in prayer and God’s Word, asking Him to fill you with His joy.

Look for opportunities to share your time, resources, or encouragement with someone in need.

Participate in the Christmas Joy outreach with Bethlehem Ministries in India. Donate via the GoFundMe link:https://gofund.me/85190603

Take time to celebrate even the small blessings in your life this week.

Support the Ministry:

Donate to Bethlehem Ministries’ Christmas Joy Outreach: https://gofund.me/85190603

Summary: This month, we’re delving into the power of storytelling, not just as a creative outlet, but as a transformative practice in our faith journey. In this episode, we explore the concept of "limiting narratives"—those hidden stories we tell ourselves that hold us back from fully embracing our creative and God-given potential. Inspired by the concept of “self-checking” in basketball, we discuss how to identify, challenge, and rewrite these narratives, allowing God's truth to shape our story instead.

In today’s episode, Pastor Fury reflects on the importance of seeing our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as teammates, not competitors. He shares a recent experience interviewing another creative community leader and the challenge he felt in that moment to avoid a mindset of competition. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 12, Pastor Fury reminds us that we are all part of the same body, each with a unique calling, purpose, and "flavor" to offer. Using the metaphor of God’s Kingdom as an ice cream shop with many flavors, he explains that our goal isn’t to make our “flavor” stand out, but to help the world fall in love with Jesus. Join us as we dive into this profound reminder of unity and purpose in the Kingdom.

Sponsored By: The Ordered Chaos Club for Christ-centered creatives

https://orderedchaosclub

The Recipe for Discipleship That Most Get Wrong

"You can't microwave discipleshhip. You have to let it cook."

In today’s episode of Five by the Fire, Pastor Fury dives into the concept of true discipleship, inspired by Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Discipleship is far from a quick-fix approach; it’s more like a slow-cooked meal that fills every corner of a life with richness, aroma, and flavor. Join Pastor Fury as he unpacks why genuine transformation requires time, patience, and unwavering commitment. As he explores the analogies of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer, you’ll see why discipleship is a call to endure, to invest deeply, and to trust in God's timing. Pastor Fury also shares a story of discipling a young man within his ministry, revealing what “life-on-life” discipleship truly looks like. Listen in for insight on embracing the long road and letting discipleship simmer so it can produce the most flavorful results.

In this kickoff episode for November’s theme, The Power of Story, we explore how stories are foundational to creativity, faith, and the way we connect with others. Pastor Fury breaks down why stories are essential in both our walk with Christ and our creative journeys, emphasizing the transformative impact of sharing our unique experiences. He highlights how creativity, whether through music, art, or film, becomes a powerful vessel for sharing stories that words alone often cannot capture. From the parables of Jesus to personal testimonies, stories cut through barriers, resonate with others, and reveal truths in ways that facts alone often fail to do.

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ZLD0bIQyIgg

Summary:

In this powerful episode of Five by the Fire, Pastor Fury shares a personal story of obedience that led him to donate a kidney to someone in need—an act inspired not by logic, but by love. He connects this journey with the story of Hosea, a prophet whose obedience to God’s call demonstrated the depth of God’s relentless love for His people. Tune in to discover how our obedience, even in unexpected or illogical ways, can become a living testimony to God’s unwavering love.

Reading Plan Passages:

2 KINGS 13

2 TIMOTHY 3

HOSEA 5-6

PSALM 64-65

Scripture Focus:

Hosea 3:1 - “The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods.’” - NIV

Bottom Line:

Our obedience writes the story of God’s relentless love.

Episode Highlights:

Opening Teaser:

Pastor Fury opens with a gripping moment: he’s in a hospital bed, about to donate his kidney. This moment of sacrifice, driven by love rather than direct command, sets the stage for exploring how our obedience serves God’s greater narrative.

Introduction:

Setting the theme, Pastor Fury introduces the story of Hosea—a prophet called to demonstrate God’s unfailing love through his marriage. Through this story and his own experience, he delves into the idea that our obedience can reveal God’s love to the world.

Point 1: Obedience That Defies Logic

Just as Hosea was called to love Gomer despite her unfaithfulness, Pastor Fury shares that obedience sometimes goes beyond human understanding. Our actions, inspired by God’s love, can seem irrational but carry a purpose far beyond what we see.

Point 2: Following the Spirit’s Leading

Reflecting on his kidney donation, Pastor Fury shares how he prayed and trusted God to close the doors if it wasn’t His will. When each test came back positive, he realized that love, rather than logic, was guiding him. This obedience allowed him to stand as a testament to God’s love in a room of people who didn’t know Jesus.

Final Takeaway:

God’s will can often be felt through the Spirit’s movement in our hearts. It’s about seeking intimacy with Him so that our lives reflect His love, trusting that each act of obedience, however small or illogical, contributes to His narrative of love.

https://freedomstorymedia.com/fbtf304

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Want episodes like this in your email each week? You can subscribe at unshacklednetwork.org/bible If you have enjoyed this podcast, check out other inspiring and fun content from the Freedom Story podcast network at freedomstorymedia.com as well. There you can also find the show notes for each episode, including the full devotional teachings for each day’s chapters. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to leave a rating wherever you are enjoying this and subscribe so you get reminded about tomorrow’s episode.

Once again, this podcast is brought to you by Freedom Story Media and the Ordered Chaos Club. Creatives, unleash your faith-inspired creativity with Ordered Chaos Club. Join our soon-to-launch Christian creative community for connection, courses, & coaching to ignite your creative spirit. Embrace Christ-centered creativity on our blog that is live today at orderedchaosclub.com.

"Feeling stuck in your creativity? 🎨 In Episode 004, we dive into how embracing community can turn creative insecurities into powerful impact. Join us and unlock your creative potential!"

In this episode of Five by the Fire, Pastor Fury dives into the concept of waiting on God—revealing that waiting doesn’t mean passivity but moving in faith while trusting God’s guidance. Through personal stories about the founding of the Unshackled Network and the Ordered Chaos Club, Pastor Fury shares how he stepped forward in obedience even without a clear blueprint. God’s faithful redirection and confirmation came as he moved forward.

Rooted in biblical insights from Proverbs 16:9, Isaiah 30:29, and Psalm 37:5, this episode highlights the importance of humble faith, the willingness to take action, and the assurance that God will guide, confirm, and redirect our steps.

Reading Plan Passages:

2 KINGS 5

1 TIMOTHY 2

DANIEL 9

PSALM 51

Key Scriptures:

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." - Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act." - Psalm 37:5 (NIV)

Bottom Line:

Waiting on God isn’t about standing still—it’s about stepping forward in faith, trusting that God will guide, confirm, and redirect you as you go.

Action Step:

Take time to reflect on areas in your life where you’ve been waiting for a clear sign from God. Ask yourself if He has already given you a sense of direction, and start moving in faith, trusting Him to adjust your course as needed.

Connect with Us:

Learn more about the Unshackled Network: https://unshacklednetwork.org

Join the Ordered Chaos Club community for Christian creatives:https://orderedchaosclub.com

Subscribe to Five by the Fire on https://fivebythefire.org for more episodes like this!