After Jesus received the vinegar, He said, “It has been completed;” then bowed His head and released His spirit. (John 19:30)
Thursday, September 19, 2024
SEPTEMBER 20-FOLLOW-BEING LED IS DYING
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
SEPTEMBER 19-FOLLOW-DON’T SEEK CONTROL
If I could speak eloquently in every tongue, whether of men or angels, if I don’t have love it is just noise; no meaning. If I could preach and could know and teach everything, even having all the faith to move mountains – bot not love – I am nothing. Even if I give away everything I own for the poor or give my life as a martyr, if I don’t have love, it won’t help me at all. (1Corinthians 13:1-3)
Chances are good that you are quite capable.
Decisions may come easily; almost as second nature, and people whom you lead
may look to you every time there is a difficult challenge. Having such
capabilities often leads men and women to believe that they have responsibility
for outcomes rather than obedience. This belief can grow stronger, even to a
place where leaders determine the desired outcome for others. Then they may use
coercion or deception, allowing the ends to justify the means.
God didn’t give you gifts of capability so
that you can control the decisions others will make. He speaks through Paul’s
words to make it clear that the object of His gifts to you is the benefit of
another person. His desire is that you will use those gifts to show the love
that you and He share for them as His people – and yours – by using them in the
way His Spirit leads you. Power is God’s to exercise. Your tool is love, as He
expresses that love in power through your life and all your capabilities.
Your gifts are wonderful creations of God.
Let Him use them creatively to love others each day.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
SEPTEMBER 18-FOLLOW-NEVER PLAY POLITICS
Just as a file of iron is used to make the iron axe sharp, one person is an instrument used to sharpen the face of another. (Proverbs 27:17)
King Solomon also gives insight into the
relationships of a healthy community of faith. He explains that people are to
sharpen and improve the effectiveness of each other as they rub against and
challenge each other in relationships each day. This is in sharp contrast with
the way of the world. There, every interaction is framed as a self-serving,
competitive battle in the arena where there must be winners and losers. In
God’s economy, each day’s business can result in benefit to each person.
Monday, September 16, 2024
SEPTEMBER 17–FOLLOW–FIND YOUR PARTNERS
Is any one of you sick? If so, call the elders to have them anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord, God, and then pray over you together. Faithful, believing prayers will heal the sick; the Lord will heal. If they have sinned He will forgive. So, confess to each other and then pray for each other, so you all may be healed. The prayers of one who lives in close relationship with God are strong medicine. (James 5:14-16)
The author of James paints a colorful
picture of a community of faith that depends not only upon the Lord, but upon
each other as they relate to God together in community. Sharing in the burdens
of sin and its effects on the fragile, valuable lives of brothers and sisters
in Christ is God’s expectation for His children. The pride that will tempt you
to feel that you must be a perfect role model, free from temptation and error,
is not from God. While you may not confess every stray thought to everyone of
your people, you need strong, faithful partners for accountability and help.
Sunday, September 15, 2024
SEPTEMBER 16 – FOLLOW – NEVER SHOW OFF
Satan said (to Jesus), “If you are really God’s child, throw yourself down (from the rooftop of the temple). You know it has been written about you that he will send angels to protect you from harm.” But, Jesus replied, “It is also written – never presume upon God.” (Matthew 4:6-7)
Saturday, September 14, 2024
SEPTEMBER 15 – FOLLOW-NEVER WALK ALONE
He who lives where the Lord, God shelters him, lives in His very shadow all day. I will live there and say, “He is my safety. He is my strength and my protection. My God is my only hope, and he is who I will always be trusting.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Do you find that the old axiom, “It’s lonely
at the top” Is true for your life? Does it get lonelier, the higher you go; the
bigger your responsibility? Loneliness is an experience shared by many leaders.
It seems harder to connect with other people as many subordinates are
intimidated, and the leader may struggle to be transparent or authentic with
others, feeling he or she must be nearly perfect.
Friday, September 13, 2024
SEPTEMBER 14–FOLLOW–JESUS, THE EXPERT
Jesus responded to her (the Samaritan woman), “Everyone who drinks this (well) water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water I will give will never again thirst. The water I provide becomes a living well; life that brings new and everlasting life!” (John 4:13-14)
Thursday, September 12, 2024
SEPTEMBER 13–FOLLOW-FOCUS ON THE LIFE
So, which is the easier thing; to say, “Your sins have been forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk?” (Matthew 9:5)
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
SEPTEMBER 12- FOLLOW-BE THE BACKGROUND
And I, if I may be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself. (John 12:32)
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
SEPTEMBER 11 – DETAILS…. WHO ARE WE?
And this – This is His will (the Father, God) – that I will not lose any person he has given to me. They are mine, and I will raise them up on that last day. (John 6:39)
Monday, September 9, 2024
SEPTEMBER 10–DETAILS...COUNT THE TOUCHES
Put my words in your hearts. Repeat them to your people diligently; whether at home, traveling, and even when sleeping or rising. Have them always at hand, and always on your minds. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Sunday, September 8, 2024
SEPTEMBER 9 – DETAILS…. CHECK THE MIRROR
Another of the people following Jesus asked, “Lord first (Before I follow you), I need to go see to my father’s burial and affairs. He’s dying, you know. But Jesus said to him, “You follow me now. Come and work with the living. Others can deal with the dead.” (Matthew 8:21-22)
Saturday, September 7, 2024
SEPTEMBER 8–DETAILS...SPEAK THE LANGUAGE
If the speaker knows not the language of the hearer, and the hearer does not understand the language of the speakers, how will they relate? They will each be to the other as a deaf and mute person. They can’t relate or communicate. (1 Corinthians 14:11)
Friday, September 6, 2024
SEPTEMBER 7–DETAILS… KNOW THE AUDIENCE
If you don’t speak words your audience can easily understand, how are they to know? You’ll be talking to yourself. There are so many kinds of languages. Each one is important. (1 Corinthians 14:9-10)
Thursday, September 5, 2024
SEPTEMBER 6 – DETAILS…. KNOW YOUR STORY
Now the man (from whom Jesus took away the demons) begged Jesus that he may stay with Him, but Jesus sent him away saying, “Go back to your people and tell them what the Lord God has done for you.” So, the man went and told his whole community all the great things Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:38-39)
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
SEPTEMBER 5 – REMEMBERING TO MAINTAIN
If your life is going to be fundamentally this way, you must live in constant relationship with the Lord’s Holy Spirit. If not, you may become conceited; even be competitive and envious about your spirituality. We’re in this together. Spend your time caring for your brother or sister who may be tempted, while guarding your own relationship with Christ Jesus. (Galatians 5:25-6:1)
People can lose their way at any time; even
when you least expect it. Often, success that leads to power or position can
insulate you and your leaders from the critical voices that remind you of your
human frailty. Each person needs the connection with others that comes from
community. Do you have people around you who insure that you maintain your
focus on God? Have you established accountability for other leaders to be
challenged regularly?
Here, Paul gives a principle, a warning, and
a prescription for health. You will do well for your people to hear his words.
First, Paul explains that there is ongoing work required if you wish to
maintain a healthy organization. People must continually be directed to attend
to their relationship with God. Then, he explains what happens if you don’t do
that work. Finally, he gives a very practical, general process for how to be
sure that you do the work to continue moving forward God’s way.
You know your people and their context. Let
the Holy Spirit lead you to specific ways to live this counsel from Paul.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
SEPTEMBER 4 – LOCATING THE LEADERS
What naturally appears in the lives of those who are led by God’s Spirit is an uncommon love, joy, and peace. These people are very patient, kind, good, and faithful in their relationships with others. They have a gentle self-controlled manner that you can’t will yourself to have. It comes only to people who have allowed Jesus to change their desires (Galatians 5:22-23)
Another reason to carefully observe the
behavior of your people is that you need leaders. Those who help you lead must
be led of God’s Spirit to work in unity toward His plan for your people. Do you
base your selection of leaders on these character traits? Do your subordinate
leaders and managers share your vision and values? Are they leading your people
where God wants them to go?
Just as clearly as he gave symptoms of
self-centeredness and defiance of God and His rule, Paul has given the
“symptoms” of good spiritual health and close relationship with the Holy
Spirit. This calm, peaceful, patient demeanor that is marked by loyalty and a
gentle, controlled goodness to other people – even when problems arise, is
uncommon in the world. It will be easy to see for a person who is looking.
These people may not have all the traditional characteristics society
associates with leadership, but they have the ones that count in God’s economy.
Locate those among your people who are
prepared to join you in the work and help you lead. Invest in them to help them
learn to grow others.
Monday, September 2, 2024
SEPTEMBER 3 – DIAGNOSING THE DISEASE
Things people do showing they base life on their own, selfish desires are obvious to everyone. They are sexually immoral, whether private or public, are shameless in lewd behavior. Further, they conform, pursuing idols and other spirits. They show their hatred, combativeness, and jealousies in ways that lead them and others to extreme anger. Dividing people, leading them to part emotionally, and even separate permanently. Those who live with discontent or drunken or uncontrolled behavior will not share in God’s kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-20)
As you lead your people, you must carefully
observe issues of character if you will lead them well. Often, you may have
layers of systems and processes to insure quality, limit risk, and protect
resources. What are you doing to identify and address problems of character?
Paul knew that God’s prosperity comes only
when people pursue life on God’s terms. He observed the behavior of men and
women, and over time had come to see patterns. These basic human patterns are
still evident today. If you see people who have no shame, who seem to be angry
or selfish, and whose lives are spinning out of control, they are not pursuing
God’s will for their lives. These actions lead to destruction for them and for
the other people around them. They will infect others if left unaddressed. But,
if you look, you will see these symptoms.
Invest
in people. Help them find their way.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
SEPTEMBER 2 – IT TAKES TIME
Friends, do you remember where you were; how you acted, when Jesus first rescued you? It wasn’t your brains, nor your power, nor your social standing, that caused God to choose you. That’s not how He works. He picks the least and makes them into the best. (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)
If so, Paul has an important word for you in
this counsel. God has a history of late bloomers. It is His habit to take
people from where they are, and work in them in a way that is creative and
surprising. In the Lord’s kingdom, remember that there is irony. “The last will
be first (Matthew 20:16).” Paul speaks of process over time (Philippians 1:6),
and David acknowledged the same (Psalm 138:8). That is why you are so dependent
each moment on the Spirit’s leadership. You can’t predict which person is the
one in whom you should invest. You don’t know what they need, nor how to
address that need apart from God’s work in you.
Recognize that God works in people’s lives
over time. Understand that you will sometimes be part of the early years in the
life of a late bloomer.