JULY 12 – THANKFUL OPTIMISM

 In every thought, action, or circumstance – whatever happens – express gratitude and thanksgiving to God, because the Lord God wills for you to live a life filled with thanksgiving as you live in Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

                   Does this sound possible? In a world where complaints are valued, can you afford to be thankful? Is optimism realistic? Do you think it is ridiculous to be grateful for circumstances you perceive to be negative? Do you want to fly in the face of the whole world; people who say, “How can there be a God when there is so much evil in this world?” So many bad things happen to good people – and these bad things are affecting your people.

                   Paul emphatically says, “Yes! God sent Jesus. Jesus plus nothing else – His redeeming sacrifice alone – is reason for you to live a life of gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving.” Yes, maybe things look bad. Maybe you feel so alone, but yes – you have Jesus, and you have been restored to relationship with the Lord God. This is the sentiment expressed by Jesus, himself, when He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But be courageous – I, myself, have overcome this world.”

                   Whatever the circumstances, lead your people to see that Jesus has overcome those challenges.

JULY 11 – SELFLESS GIFTS

 If we are given suffering, even extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain – it is so that we may encourage and comfort you in a way that helps you persevere to find God’s prosperity. Or, if we are blessed with comfort and ease, we know that it is also to be used to help you to endure and learn to give as well. (2 Corinthians 1:6)

                   What is your first thought when you think of giving? Maybe you think of money or time. It’s not likely your first thought is of suffering. However, one of the most powerful gifts you can give another person is comforting encouragement – especially if that gift is wrapped in empathy; if you know suffering first hand.

                   Paul communicates two important truths here. First, every part of life; sorrow, joy, plenty, and want, is a gift from the Lord God - if you trust Him. He also teaches that every gift received is to be used as the Lord desires. The conclusion you draw, as you observe this design, is that God must certainly have intended for your life to be a continuous process of receiving from God and giving to others.

                   Look around. Consider your experiences. What has God given you that you haven’t given to another? Give it selflessly as the Holy Spirit leads you to give.

JULY 10 – GENEROUS RESPONSES

 Never let your motivation be your own, personal gain – ever! Instead, humble yourself, and value other people and their prosperity more than you value your life. Then you will generously respond to them in ways that advance their interests. (Philippians 2:3-4)

                   What is your greatest challenge to your efforts to be a good listener? Think. You have a choice of two answers; selfishness or focus. It’s easier to call selfishness lack of focus, right? But, the critical issue in listening in a focused way is to live as Paul encourages here; humbly and generously. Focusing on people is about self-LESS-ness.

                   Paul obviously had some experience with personal interaction. How often he must have sought to manipulate others to a desired end. With his intellect and education, and the power of his office before he met Jesus, he certainly knew the dynamics of power and intimidation. Post-meeting Jesus, Paul understands that listening to the person God sends to him, and to the Lord who arranged the meeting, is the way to advance that person’s cause. The work is to help them find God’s way, and that work became Paul’s reason for living.

                   Give yourself, and your focus, generously to others. Pursue their interests as God leads you to respond to their needs.

JULY 9 – FOCUSED APPRECIATION

 You carefully arranged me from your materials, and skillfully wove me into a unique person before I was even formed. And, as you created me you wrote my story, blessing me; blessing the work you would do through me. (Psalm 139:15-16)

                  Do you live in the reality of this passage? Do you recognize that this promise from God is also reality for each of the people you will encounter today? If so, should you not focus on helping each of your people to recognize and appreciate that he or she has a destiny; a story to complete? With this understanding, your people will be encouraged to seek relationship with their Creator; emboldened to pursue their unique story. Then, they too can act with courage and power; real authority.

                   The Psalmist understood – your relationship with God begins long before you are even aware of Him. Although the writer can’t see and touch the Lord, he knows that God’s hand has shaped him into a unique creation He deems to be very good. The hopeful confidence of knowing he was destined to participate with God to finish the story of his life – and that he could not fail – gave him the confidence to overcome his fears (verse 23) and to boldly pursue God’s vision (verse 24).

                   Invest focused attention on each of your people so they can pursue the story God has written for their lives.

JULY 8 – UNEARNED TRUST

 God gives us, as evidence of His love for us, this thing. While we were still rebelling against His authority, His love was extended to us through Jesus Christ’s atoning death. (Romans 5:8)

                   Do you trust your people? Do you require that they earn your trust before you make a significant investment in them? Do you look for failures to support limiting or withholding your trust? Or, do you make and keep promises to pursue their best interests individually and as a group, even if they fail the trustworthiness test?

                   This passage is hard reading for one who would seriously try to follow Jesus. The requirement to risk your own status – physically, emotionally, and financially, for someone who doesn’t appreciate your gift is hard to accept. To risk your freedom, and even your safety, for someone who may not even understand what you are doing seems to be a really dumb thing to do. But, that is the action that evidences God’s love – just as in Christ’s death. That act is the sacrificial love that brings hope.

                   Risk it all for your people. Extend your love to them just as Jesus did; without reservation. Give it all. Give them hope and love them, even though they don’t deserve it.

JULY 7 – ENOUGH FOR TODAY

 The Lord God said to Moses, Listen! I will send what you need each day from my resources; what each person needs for one day – every morning. Then, I will watch to see if they prove to be faithful in doing what I ask of them. (Exodus 16:4)

                   Every interaction; every relationship is different, and each ongoing relationship is different each day. How can you possibly prepare to meet that level of challenge? Can you read enough books, learn enough rules, or have enough experience to always do what is best in each of dozens of daily interactions? No, but God can – and better still – He promises that He does.

                   God’s provision for His people is constant, steady, and consistent. In this passage, He is explaining to His leader, Moses, “I will show you what your people – My people – need each day, and then I will provide all that you lack to accomplish what I will give you to do.” Has God’s nature changed? (Numbers 23:19). If not, then each person should take seriously the rest of God’s counsel to Moses. The Lord will also be evaluating constantly whether you follow in simple faith.

                   This one action; simply following in faith, is God’s consistent standard for men and women. Adopt that measure as your own. Do enough each day.

JULY 6 – AUTHORITY TO CALL

 Through this Jesus we also were given this great favor of God and the authority to call followers from every people. We call them at His instruction, on His behalf, and to move in obedience to His authority – And you too are those people who are called to have this relationship of belonging to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:5-6)

                   Remember. Authority is about unlocking the world’s chains. So, it is about people. The great, powerful events of life are when groups of people respond to a call to do better. Those whom you lead – your group – acting together, in obedience to God’s leadership will be used by the Lord to change the lives of others. That call -the foolishness of preaching Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:21-23) is why you are leading your people.

                   As you obey, and call others to relationship and obedience, pursuing what is best for all – God’s will for their lives – those people will change. They will change dramatically, and will lead others to the new life they have found.

                   The reputation of your leadership is determined by its character – how you use it. Use it as Jesus intends. Use it to call others to be Him, so they can be made complete.