SEPTEMBER 21-FOLLOW EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD

 Hear me when I (Jesus) tell you (Peter) this. When you were younger, before you met and began following Me, you made the plans, you prepared, and then you did life your way. As you grow to completeness in Me, you will simply stretch out your hands and reach for Me, and you will willingly go wherever I lead – even though you don’t want to go where I’ll take you. (John 21:18)

                  Peter experienced a very challenging three years with Jesus. It was marked by soaring highs and dramatic lows, as he always seemed to be one of the more serious, passionate disciples. This passage immediately follows an exchange between Jesus and Peter where Jesus allowed him to both be restored in close personal relationship, and to gain new understanding for his way forward.

                  Do you struggle against this expectation of Jesus? Do you think of great plans; big projects you can do to make up for the times you may have failed Jesus? You must understand, these desires, without the kind of complete submission Jesus describes to Peter, will lead you down the broad way of destruction. Hear Jesus tell you today, “Your work is to feed My sheep; love my people. Just stretch out your hands and let me show you the way, even if that way doesn’t make sense to you.”

                  Learn the truth of following Jesus. Understand and accept that it means you give up control. Trust the way Jesus shows you, even when you don’t understand.

SEPTEMBER 20-FOLLOW-BEING LED IS DYING

 After Jesus received the vinegar, He said, “It has been completed;” then bowed His head and released His spirit. (John 19:30)

                   How often do you say, or allow others to say about you, (or at least feel – inside) that, “you deserve ___” (some benefit or honor or recognition)? The ultimate work of Jesus was to die. Do you understand that He was saying that your work is to be the same?

                   Earlier in the book of John, Jesus is speaking with His disciples (John 12:23-27). He explained that neither He nor they could be faithful to God the Father, and His purpose for them, unless they were willing to give up any claim they have upon even their own lives. People whose expectation for their life is that they will live it as if they are already dead to what they want or need, do not feel they deserve anything beyond that death. The language was much more direct in the book of Mark (8:34). There, Jesus said explicitly that His follower must, “deny himself and take up their cross.” Your desires to get what you have earned by your good works or your faithfulness must die if you wish to follow Jesus faithfully.

                   Refuse to feel entitled and die to your selfish desires so that Jesus can use you to bring others to new life in Him.

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.

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.

                   Do you view your daily interactions as battles to be won, or do you see those events and activities as opportunities to find God’s purpose and his will for each of you whom He brings together? Living with partners; doing business God’s way, means using your relative power to influence and encourage submission and obedience to the Lord and His will. It is not to be used as a political lever to be used for leverage to win the day.

                   Living with partners in community protects you from the temptation to manipulate others. Also, a broad, inclusive view of community encourages you to follow Jesus and His will for each relationship to which he leads you.

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.

                Who are your partners in the work? Are you looking for those God will lead your way to help in the work? The Lord will lead you to the community of confession and prayer and healing He has prepared for you if you will ask Him to do so.

                   Look for your partners as you follow Jesus each day.

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)

                   As you look around, do you see the markers of success? Are the revenues high, are the profits trending up? Are more raving fans coming into the ranks? If so, is it because you are especially talented? Of course, you will say, “No!” Humility would require that. But, do your actions testify against you on that question? Do you charge ahead, pursuing the rational course that brought you to this place of apparent success without conferring with God each day? Some people become so successful they simply don’t have time to consider God’s will. Is that you?

                   Jesus warns against presuming what God wants. Particularly, He cautions not to expect to have somehow earned special treatment and protection from poor or selfish decisions. Satan wanted Jesus to choose the spectacular. Jesus chose to be faithful and obedient. So must you if you will follow Him and lead effectively.

                   Remember that God participates in and blesses the work He authorizes. He’s not a guaranteed rescue for those who use His name to show off.

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.

                   The author of this Psalm recognized that the Lord, God is the true friend. He is the one who accepts you as you are, loves you, and helps you to grow to be the person and do the work he created you to do. Jesus is the best friend for any person; every person, not only the isolated leader. So, the logical, reasonable decision for each person who follows Christ should be to “live where the Lord, God shelters him.”

                   Live in God’s shadow, all day, every day. Allow him to work through your life to love others into that relationship of intimacy with yourself and Him. Never walk alone.