APRIL 16 – PATIENCE

 Keep being serious about the Lord working out the details of your life, just as you did when I was with you. Remember, it is God who gives you courage to will that He do that work, and it is He who completes the work – all for His own pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

                Good work – God’s work – takes time. Just as you observe in business, those who take a longer view in their planning usually develop a better plan. God’s plan spans eternity. He has chosen to establish times and seasons to do His work in people. He places you in His world for a unique time, and for a person or people He has selected, in each moment of your life.

                The courage Paul urges might look a lot like patience to the world. Essentially, he says, “Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s next step for you; so patient that you continue to want to wait for Him to act even when you are struggling and afraid.” Waiting for God to act is hard work – especially when circumstances are difficult. It is then that waiting is truly the work of faith. Real faith waits, eagerly looking to the Lord for your next step. Real faith obeys immediately, before considering the potential outcomes.

                Today is an opportunity the Lord has planned for you. Let Him work His will each moment.

APRIL 15 – FRUSTRATION

 We have been given the gift of going straight to Jesus with courage, knowing He will show mercy and have the answer that will help us in each moment of our lives. (Hebrews 4:16)

                Are you frustrated by the actions of a person you lead? Have your efforts to fix their problems fallen short? If so, you may be ready to accept some news. Your people are not puzzles for you to solve. Their problems are not opportunities for you to share your wisdom and experience. People are valued creations of God, and - He is their answer.

                The writer explains that Jesus understands you, knows your struggles, and that He alone has the plan for your success in life. Jesus is that same answer for the one who struggles, and for your actions as you become a part of that person’s answer. People who are struggling need Jesus. Every part of your relationship with other people should be guided by the Lord’s Holy Spirit. You may not understand the plan, and you may never even see the result of your investment. The work is simply to do what you are led to do.

                Frustration is a sign that you have designed a plan. One who follows Jesus will focus on completing the work he or she is given to do, and will trust that Jesus is the plan.

APRIL 14 – SUCCESS

 (When you are filled with God’s Spirit) there will be real worship; constant celebration of the Lord, God. Do it like this – sing all kinds of songs that make the melody in your heart rise to the Lord, giving thanks to God for all He gave us in Jesus Christ. And, give your lives to each other in love because of your great love of Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-21)

                What does success look like? Do you measure success by bigger, more, faster, better – less cost or more profit? Real success is where people who once were trapped in drudgery; dreading and fearing, excusing and avoiding – where those same people are filled with hope and wonder, ambition and optimism, peace and love for each other.

                Paul explains, the people who live in God’s Kingdom don’t need to get drunk to be excited and throw a party. Followers of Jesus, who allow Him to consume their thoughts and control their actions, will erupt in praise and gratitude, and show love for others because of the work they will see Him accomplish. God’s success causes people to recognize Him.

                Is this the success you’re leading toward? Is your metric, “How many lives are changing because of God’s work in them?” Are your people celebrating real success, or just numbers?

APRIL 13 – YOUR STORY

 It is only because God loved you, and because He makes it possible that you may escape a life of meaningless pursuits that will end in misery and death. His love is a gift! You did not earn it by following rules, nor doing good deeds. You unwrapped it by putting all your hope in Him; letting the Lord teach you how He will use this gift called grace for Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

                Your story matters! The people you influence will not care to hear about your vision, your values, or your God until they understand how God has changed your life. They may listen politely, but unless you give them evidence of God’s power – they will not hear your message over their televisions, their friends, and their own, personal ambitions. It will just be words.

                It is the message of the gospel – God’s transforming power changing the lives of men and women – that awakens peoples’ imagination (John 12:32). Telling your story, explaining what God did, and is doing, in your life focuses attention on Him. Sharing that you have learned He can be trusted brings them hope. Admitting you did nothing to earn God’s love; that He gave you your new life with real purpose, encourages others to listen for God’s call to them.

               Be generous. Tell your story. Lead your people toward their meeting with Jesus.

APRIL 12 – VALUE

 What seemed criminal may have been entirely because he should be yours eternally. Not a slave any more – a person, valued brother, and one who is now so special to me. He’ll be so much more valuable now as he lives in the Lord. (Philemon 15-16)

               Think of your subordinates, whether volunteer or paid. Think of the vendors and reps, and the customers. What is their value to you? Do you value their productivity, performance, usefulness, the profitability they bring? If so, understand this – that basis of valuation is the one used to value a slave.

                Paul appealed to Philemon, the owner of runaway slave, Onesimus in this personal letter. He called on Philemon to recognize the value Onesimus had as a man who was created and loved by God. There is no doubt Paul has spent time helping Onesimus understand Philemon’s value as a brother. How else could he return, trusting the Lord for his safety, and risking his freedom, and his life to help Philemon grow with him. Paul has explained to each of them that they, along with other men and women, are made in God’s image. That is the one source of their true value.

                 See your people in a new way. Recognize the image of God that they bear, and then begin to value them for their potential to live in Christ with you as brothers and sisters.

APRIL 11 – A REASONABLE GIFT

 So, I encourage – even plead with you, to do this one thing.  Do it because God has so extravagantly shown you His grace and mercy. Do it even though you will need His continued mercy to accomplish it. Present your body before the Lord constantly, as if it were a living sacrifice. Let Him do with it what He wills. That is the only acceptable gift that you can give to our Lord. (Romans 12:1)

               Paul sees his life as a daily, even moment-to-moment balance. He wants to obey God as the Lord purposely uses him in His work with other people. This envisions much more than simply following. He is calling for the reader to view every circumstance as an altar where he or she will wait with anticipation for God to animate them, while willing that He control every action. Paul’s reference to an acceptable sacrifice also challenges them to be consumed by God’s work in them, as He continues to bring them to purity and holiness. Sacrifices to God must be pure.

               If you follow Paul’s advice, there will be no work, no relationships, no places where God’s word will not be your answer. Nor will there be situations where you will take back the reins of control over your actions because they are secular or recreational pursuits. Can you make that commitment? Will you make that decision?

               Let your will today be that God will enable you to become the living sacrifice Paul describes.

APRIL 10 – CREATED FOR WORK

 We are the masterfully created work of the Lord; created in Christ Jesus to be prepared and used for good works. God ordained the way we would travel before we existed, thinking of us and preparing for us to walk that path. (Ephesians 2:10)

               You are a masterpiece created by God; fashioned to be a tool in His hand, and you possess a unique purpose. The Lord intends to use you, His own creation, to do more creating that only you were designed to finish. The leader God will use must understand this relationship, both to do his or her own work and to lead the other people.

                If you are a tool in God’s hand, you can be humble and submissive even though your work will evidence great skill and artistry. Your entire story will be one of finding those whom the Lord wants to unite in and through the work of Jesus. In this work, your focus will be on the fine details of another person’s needs; giving yourself completely for their benefit in love.

                This describes the attitude and the work of Jesus. You see that Peter and the other apostles lived in this understanding. Can you see yourself as God’s useful masterpiece today? Will you give yourself completely to the fine details of your people’s lives?