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A few years ago, I visited some friends who had a wayward dog named Fred. As a last resort, they installed an electronic fence to keep Fred from wandering the neighbourhood. Although the fence line was invisible to the eye, a somewhat bulky electric collar created an unpleasant sensation that intensified as Fred neared the borders of his confines.

At first, Fred bravely defied his newly set limitations and jumped the invisible fence. But after a few shock treatments, he determined that as much as he loved his freedom, leaving the yard was no longer worth the pain.

After a year or so, I asked my friends how the invisible fence was working. They told me that the batteries in Fred’s collar had died at least six months earlier, but he stayed in the yard despite the fact that there was nothing holding him back from total freedom. The only barrier was in his mind.

In Luke 5, Jesus asked Peter to launch into the deep and put out his nets for a catch. After a full night of fishing with no success, Peter objected, based on his experience in the past. Before we go any further, you need to know that everyone who has ever done anything significant for God has also failed at some time in their past. You might not hear many sermons about the years in the desert where God prepared Moses, but if you’ve been there, you know how hard it is to overcome your feelings of inadequacy and move forward in God’s plan for your life. A false perception of past experience, along with doubts and fears can create an invisible barrier in your mind, even when the Lord has clearly opened the way before you. Fear of failure can even cause you to reason in your mind that it’s just not worth the pain to try again.

Even though Peter vocalized his doubt, he obeyed Jesus and launched out into the deep one more time. Sometimes, God will ask you to do things that don’t make sense, but this is the test. When you know it’s God’s voice, will you obey without hesitation or will you procrastinate indefinitely until the opportunity passes and you can relax again in the confines of your safety zone?

When Jesus asks you to launch out into the deep, He is asking you to leave the shallow safety of the familiar shore and get out of your comfort zone. He is asking you to let go of whatever or whomever is giving you a false sense of security and enter into waters that are over your head, to go to a place where you will be vulnerable and dependent on Him and do something that is beyond your ability. Even though you may have tried and failed in the past, Jesus is asking you once more to trust Him.

The good news is that breaking the barrier is easier than you think. The minute Peter pulled up the anchor, he had broken through the invisible barrier. The enemy no longer had power to hold Peter within the confines of his past. When you obey the leading God has given you and take one little step forward, it’s done. You’ve faced your fear and moved beyond the limitations that were holding you back. Even if you’re only one inch beyond where you were before, you’ve shown the enemy he can no longer keep you confined. When you step out in the leading God has given you, you will be met with great success – so much so, your nets might even break.

‘Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.’ Luke 5:10

The steps of a righteous man (or woman) are ordered of God. Once you’re certain you’ve heard from God, you can step out in confidence, knowing that the God who ordered your steps will also sustain you each and every step of the way.

When Jesus asked His disciples to get in the boat and row to the other side, He gave them clear direction. They knew exactly what they were to do. The fact that a storm arose shortly afterwards meant little to Jesus. He had plans for them on the other side and it was only natural that opposition would arise to stop them. While it’s easy to judge the disciples, when it’s you or me, we have to admit it’s not easy to remember what to do to stay focused in the middle of the storm. Sometimes we can lose it to the point of turning back and missing God altogether because of our fear or doubt. But even when the disciples lost their cool, Jesus met them where they were and reassured them everything was going to be okay.

In fact, it was when the disciples were full of fear that Jesus called Peter out of the boat to walk on the water with Him. Even when Peter began to sink, Jesus held him up. These are the times that make for the greatest lessons we’ll ever learn. When we try and fail and try again, we overcome our past and our opposition just because we refuse to give up. That is a passing mark on the test.

When you step out, you automatically step up. You step up to the challenge of taking God at His Word. You step up to the challenge of holding on with a bulldog faith that won’t quit no matter what happens to you or what is happening around you, no matter who is with you or who abandons you, no matter how much money is gone and how much money is left.

In stepping out, you step up because you’re one step ahead of where you were before. If you could see beforehand where that one little step can place you, your excitement would outweigh your fear. Even if fear opposes you, step out anyway. This is a year of promise and promotion. Step out with boldness and confidence and step up with humility and grace. You may find you can even walk on water.

There’s a big difference between managers and leaders. Managers manage paper and procedures, while leaders lead people. A generation or two ago, managing was all we knew. There was the boss and there were the subordinates. The boss’ job was to manage and control the underlings to ensure the task at hand was completed. When the underlings failed to comply, they were fired. Over the years, human rights issues came into the picture and managers had to find new and creative ways to establish the ranking system and keep the underlings under where they belonged.

While managers push people down to ensure their own job security, leaders build people up because they want to see the people they work with and their organization grow. Instead of catching people doing something wrong and punishing them, leaders catch people doing something right and reward them.

Over time, this “Bad dog, no biscuit” style of has proven to be less than conducive to productivity and profits. It also creates an “us and them” environment in the workplace, a big contrast to the new leadership that taps into the potential of every team member, creating a synergy that results in new levels of success.

When managers adapt their thinking, they go higher both personally and professionally by taking their people and their organization to the highest potential. John Maxwell once said, “You have to give up to go up.” Managers would have to give up control and give each member of the team power to challenge themselves and the processes that impede individual and corporate growth, but the thought of changing mindsets often threatens managers who are insecure in themselves and their position.

As managers continue to resist change, they will end up with a mediocre team and mediocre results. But those who take the risk of hiring people better than themselves and encouraging them to reach even higher will get the best results with the best reward of all.

According to Psalm 139, God’s plan for your life existed long before you did. That means God took into account every situation and circumstance that you would encounter not only this day, but all the days of your life. Your Heavenly Father loved you before you even knew there was a God and no one can argue scripturally that God’s love for you has ever changed or ever will.

In contrast, the enemy of your soul has an entirely different plan for your life, to keep you in or bring you back to the pit that God brought you up out of. There are several reasons for satan to want to accomplish his goal. He is ticked off, not only for being evicted from heaven but for being utterly defeated by Jesus’ death on the cross. He knows his future is dim (see the Book of Revelation) and his ultimate desire is to get back at God any way he can. The only way the devil can hurt God is to hurt those whom God loves – you and me. He makes a daily effort to discourage you with negative thoughts, tempting you to sin and then condemning you afterwards to keep you in bondage. He tries to distract and deceive you so that you will never discover your true identity in Christ and begin to walk in the authority of the Kingdom you belong to. The sad part is that many believe the lies and settle for less than God’s very best.

In Zechariah 3, we see Joshua standing before a Holy God with filthy clothes, and satan standing nearby with vehement accusations against him. But instead of condemning Joshua, God openly rebukes satan on Joshua’s behalf. Then God orders a clean set of clothes for Joshua and sets a crown upon his head.

A missionary visited an orphanage in an impoverished country where the staff were overworked and overwhelmed with the needs of the children. One day, the missionary noticed a blind girl standing alone, her clothes soiled with excrement. In a simple act of compassion, the missionary cleansed her and gave her clean clothing, restoring her dignity and making the little girl feel loved and special.

That little girl represents each of us, blind to our condition and helpless to do anything about it. Although there was nothing we could do for ourselves to make us presentable before a Holy God, Jesus Christ, Gods’ own Son stood on our behalf before the Father, sinless and perfect to represent us.  In a generous act of grace, the Father cleansed you, clothed you in clean garments and even placed a crown on your head.

Crowns are not commonly seen because they are reserved for members of the royal family. But God declares in His word that through Christ, He adopted us and made us into a royal priesthood. He has crowned us with power and authority to represent His kingdom and His royal family.

Knowing and accepting your identity empowers you to stand and take authority, not only in your life but in the lives of others. If you feel accused and condemned, instead of running from God, run to God. 1 John 1:9 declares that if you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

In Christ you are cleansed of all sin, clothed in righteousness (right standing with God) and crowned with power and authority. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Simply begin to walk in your identity and enjoy the inheritance that is yours in Jesus Christ. As we individually rise up and take our place, God will use us corporately to bring leadership and influence to the earth at a time when the world needs Him most.

If you have an interest in theological studies, I’ve compiled a shortlist of the best free online courses available. You could use them for self-study or to facilitate a Bible study, small group or foundational course for new believers at your local church.

Stonebriar Community Church offers a free Theology Program for self-study, small group or local church settings. This comprehensive course of study is designed to equip believers to understand and defend the Christian faith. For a nominal fee, you can enroll as a certificate student and qualify for Continuing Education (CE) credits where applicable.

John Piper and a number of respected Bible teachers offer their expertise to Biblical Training. They offer a 12-week foundational course for new believers, in addition to several advanced courses such as New Testament Survey, Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics and Islam. For further study, most of these classes have a seminary-level counterpart under Leadership Education. You can create a custom class for your church, leaders, elders or small group where you can choose lectures from Biblical Training in addition to your own lectures if you wish. A series of online reports helps you track enrollment and attendance in your course. Courses are not accredited.

RBC Ministries, the people who bring you Our Daily Bread offer Christian Courses. Some of the courses are eligible for Continuing Education (CE) Certficate Programs. Dr. Larry Crabb is among the teachers offering courses in Christian Living, Old and New Testament Bible Courses and Advanced Studies.

Internet Biblical Seminary offers a proven curriculum available on CD, in written format, downloadable or for online study in five languages. IBS was developed out of on-the-field ministry. Currently, more than 50 facilitators travel to target countries where they mentor and train nationals to teach and adapt the curriculum to their specific needs and cultures. IBS has developed a unique technology to easily translate the courses into any language, making this one of the most effective mission tools available.

And last but not least, BBN Bible Institute offers free classes in audio format, featuring respected teachers such as Charles Ryrie, Howard Hendricks, Erwin Lutzer and the late Dr. Merrill Tenney.