JUNE 9 – ACCEPT THAT PEOPLE DIFFER

 …and very slow to anger. (James 1:19)

                   Anger is a symptom, not a disease. You may have argued as Jonah (“I do well to be angry.” (Jonah 4:9)), as you read that statement. But, the “righteous anger” you wish to claim from a human perspective is challenged by the next verse, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (James 1:20).” It’s as if he read your mind, right?

                   What is your alternative to anger? Identifying the disease is critical to this answer. The disease of self-centeredness is often behind the anger people feel. If you resolve that you will simply accept people unconditionally, you will slow the speed of your anger in a measurable way. Taking time to learn who a person is, why they are who they are, and the experiences and feelings which have formed their beliefs and attitudes is the way to that acceptance. As you build relationships this way, you will find yourself consumed by concern for them and their welfare. It is difficult to respond in anger when your goal is for the person to find God’s love and then pursue His perfect will for their life. Such concern centers you on mutual need rather than differences and disagreements.

                  Accept your people as they are, even when they differ from you. Love them enough to seek their best as a higher priority than your own. But, begin where they are.

JUNE 8 – LISTEN WITH CONCERN

 … slow to respond… (James 1:19)

    “Slow to respond” speaks to the relationship you should have with the person who is standing before you. This advice is not, “be timid in your obedience when you understand God’s will.” Quite the opposite, the author encourages you to listen carefully, seeking simply to understand, and asking the Holy Spirit to lead you to a proper response – rather than to respond before God speaks.    

        As you listen to your people, with genuine concern, you evidence that you care for the person and for their condition. Listening with such concern is a way of helping another feel that they are not alone. It can validate them as members of a community, and tell that person, “We are in this together,” long before the first word you say in response. “Slow to respond,” means, “listen long enough” for the Lord to work in you and in the other person.

                  Love your people enough to listen to them in a way that helps them understand how much you care. Remember that your active listening may communicate concern more effectively than your words or answers.

JUNE 7 – LISTEN CAREFULLY

 So – (because the Lord Jesus chose to give us life through Himself) – my beloved people, let everyone be swift to hear… (James 1:19)

                   Here begins instruction that is critical to any person who is to lead others. It is a message with two strong points rolled up together in, “be swift to hear,” In other words, “Listen to others.” But, the advice doesn’t end there. Every conversation with another person should include the Holy Spirit. So, do you always listen intently – to both the person before you, and to God’s Spirit to help you have understanding?

                   Many people put themselves in God’s place, making judgments on their own, as they listen to their people. With best intentions, they may be thinking how they will respond to what they hear. In the Lord’s kingdom, you do not have to expend that energy. Rather, the work is to listen carefully, praying even as you are listening for the Spirit to give you the understanding you need. God will give you the thing to do or the words to say when He wants you to speak.

                   Listen today to each person with whom you engage, and as you do, listen for what God will tell you. You may not be asked to respond, but obey always when you are.

JUNE 6 – DWELL ON THIS

Constantly dwell on the word of Christ while you teach and remind each other whether singing or reading, let your hearts focus with gratitude on him. In each thing you do or say, be sure everything brings glory to Jesus and is done as He leads you. (Colossians 3:16-17)

                  You can never dwell on the word of Christ too much. If you have sought the Lord’s guidance; His plan for you and your people, He has given you a word specific to that work. The direction or vision for your way forward together and the important principles or values that He impressed upon you as vital, are part of God’s word.

                  Paul says here to read and re-read, sing and re-sing, teach, and remind each other constantly of this word from God. Paul knows the value of this repetition. He knows this constant focus will serve to renew your heart, change you, and grow you. As they hear you speak with passion about the way forward, your people will be drawn to recognize and appreciate the work of Jesus more each day.

                  Focus on the word of God, the Scriptures, the hymns and Psalms, and His personal word to you for your life today. Dwell on this word to find the life He desires for you.

JUNE 5 – OPTIMISM

(As the people whom God has chosen (verse 12))… Let the peace of Jesus Christ; His rule, make every decision for you. You were called to be one people for Him and His purposes. Always be grateful that He has loved you and called you – let praise and thanksgiving be your character. (Colossians 3:15)

                  Are you optimistic? Shouldn’t you be? You believe that the Lord loves you, and He has chosen you. You know He has a purpose for you. God has called you to lead His people to become a community that is united in doing His work. Should you not be always grateful and optimistic?

                   Paul reminds these people that the burden of being perfect has been removed. They don’t need to have all the answers now, because they have the rule of Christ calling them to work under His direction. That is where peace is found; real, lasting peace. God’s peace allows you to accept each challenge optimistically. You can see each one as an opportunity to be successful simply by doing what He asks. Peace results when you obey, and when you encourage your people to continue to believe and follow the vision too.

                   Consider, always, the hope you have in Jesus. Rest in His peace, and encourage your people with optimism and gratitude.

JUNE 4 – A NEW THING

 So, if someone is to have a part in Jesus Christ, he must become a new creation. The old ways; the old parts – they all die. Listen – everything will be made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

                   Old stuff is sticky. Habits, speech, attitudes – everything about a person (and the groups of people who spend time together with them) makes that person or group become who they are. These actions frame the character of the people, and they define the culture of the community around them. To change and re-orient character and culture requires new habits, new ways, and new attitudes. What are you doing to introduce the birth of the new to your people?

                   Paul is saying to these people, and to you, this is not a simple, easy evolution God requires. There are parts of you, and each of your people that must die. Everything that goes forward will be new. That means change – both large -scale and small. Some people and some relationships won’t survive those deaths and become part of your peoples’ new life together. There will be cost where there is truly a change to a new thing. All this change will take courage.

                   Ask the Lord to show you the things that must die. Ask Him to give you courage to replace all the old things that must die with His new things.

JUNE 3 – FEEDING PEOPLE

 Jesus is who we put forward, advising, urging, and teaching everyone with all wisdom of the Spirit. We do this so we may see each life be filled and completed as a work of Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:28)

                   Your community – all the people God has called you to influence and love – is hungry. These people need hope. They need life that is meaningful; that has purpose. They need Jesus – the bread of life (John 6:35). If they are going to last; to make it over the long haul of lives and generations, these people must be unified. Unity will be formed around their definition of the common future they will pursue – your vision. Real, lasting change begins to happen when your people begin to move in the same direction.

                   As Paul observed, this happens one person at a time. As you share the vision God has given you for His future, you point each person toward Him. Advising, urging, and teaching the values critical to the work and the success of the group will bring people to pursue right ends and change what they desire, and how they pursue those desires.

                   Put the vision God has given you firmly in your people’s consciousness and help them find the full, complete lives God desires for them.