JULY 15 – BE UNDERSTANDING…

 Don’t try to fake love for others. Don’t just talk about love – that’s evil! Hold on to the good – real devotion to each other. Give honor to the other person – put them first; worthy of all your effort and passion. That’s how you serve the Lord your God. (Romans 12:9-11)

                   To whom do you give honor? Honor is high respect, privilege, distinction that western culture generally gives now only to the rich, powerful, or famous. In this environment, people are encouraged to seek honor selfishly, without concern for others. Love is only a word in that world. Dignity and equality are words used for self-promotion as a champion of others; but there is rarely any selfless action observed that supports those words.

                   Paul tells the church at Rome they are to really love; not simply talk about love. He defines real love as putting every other person first; honoring them as if each one is special in some way. He calls on believers to serve the interests of all those people with empathy, understanding, and to serve them with all the passion and effort a person can exert – as if doing it for the Lord Himself.

                   Without this conduct, love is not real. It is hypocrisy to talk about love if you don’t act this way, and Paul says that hypocrisy is evil. Honor others today!

JULY 14 – SELFISH AUTHORITY

 Where there is a culture of selfishness and competition, there will be only noise and leadership will be ignored. Then; every manner of evil will flourish. (James 3:16)

    God’s way is a way of respect and honor. That way leads to empathy and giving. In God’s kingdom we see stories that unite and lead people to hope. When you look up to those who lead you, do you seek ways to serve and participate? When you look down, do you see ways to encourage and lift others up?

   James here observes that the world – living in Christ-less selfishness – compares and competes rather than loving. Looking up leads to envy and jealousy, while looking down brings a sense of arrogance and pride. In this culture of unbridled selfishness, there is no chance for unity; no chance that God will be glorified, and lives be transformed through the community’s influence. When people are led to be self-serving and selfish, there is division and incivility. There is no empathy as leaders lose touch with their people. People who have much will take even though they have no need.

                   Your people – those who stick around - become who you are. Look around and see who you have taught them to be.

JULY 13 – LASTING STORIES

 Bring glory to God with words and actions that come from your heart. Your being and your story always focused on Christ’s work, so that all who see you will see your hope in Christ. And be always alert to opportunities to point them to God. (1 Peter 3:15)

                   Are you constantly asking the Lord to show you what you need to see; to recognize the stories that will unite your people? Do you pray for discernment, so you will see the action you should take next? Are you working to live and tell the new story they will need to gain understanding for the way forward? God is the author of creativity. He knows what will speak to your people powerfully, leading them to remember the experiences they have shared that are significant and meaningful.

                   Peter gives two important challenges here. Trust your Holy Spirit-informed heart, while focusing your energy on the actions that the Lord shows you to be the work of Christ in the world around you. Also, make sure that when Jesus transforms; when He brings life to someone who was dead – make sure that He gets the glory for it.

                   Like Peter says, look for what Jesus is doing among your people, take part as He leads you. Then, be sure that everyone knows it was His work.

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.