JULY 29 – KNOCK DOWN OR BUILD UP

 And God said, “Build up the road! Build it up! Remove any obstacle that will keep My people from returning to Me!” (Isaiah 57:14)

    So, what is the work of leadership? What is the job description for your role? Do you envision slaying dragons? Do you see that you are in a position of power and authority so that you can oppose those who use their power for evil? Or, should you focus on empowerment that enables your people to find God’s plan for their lives?

                   This word of the Lord through His prophet, Isaiah, speaks of a day like today, when there are humble people who are ready to turn back to God. The command is to make that return possible by removing barriers and creating pathways. Deep, solid, well-founded roads are implied by the language. God is saying to do good work; build solid, reliable environments where detours and potholes are eliminated.

                   Build the roads your people need, so they can return to the Lord. Don’t be an obstacle. Don’t allow others to be an obstacle on your roads. Remove every obstacle the world presents. Clear the way for God’s people to return to him!

JULY 28 – DIGNITY OR HONOR?

 If you – being fallen and incapable of showing the consistent, complete love God shows – know how to provide the things your children need, how much better will the Lord God – your father – provide for you. So, spend all your energy to determine how to serve all the needs of all the other people and to do whatever you must to provide it to them. This work lives out all the law and the prophets’ teaching. (Matthew 7:11-12)

                   People often speak of human dignity, emphasizing and affirming that each person has worth. Many encourage self-respect, self-esteem, and generous tolerance of others. In times past, the emphasis was upon honor; a respect based upon status conferred or earned, and upon behavior. How do you decide to whom you will grant respect? What must someone be or do to gain your attention and the standing to be heard?

                   Jesus says that your entire focus should be on such listening; respecting everyone as if the other person were yourself, and working tirelessly – sacrificing anything, to serve their needs. That is not respect based on dignity nor honor. That is love based upon God’s authority, and upon His desire for the world to be united by that love.

                   Open your door, your ears, and your heart, to everyone whom the Lord sends your way.

JULY 27 – GIVE ORDERS OR OPPORTUNITY

 I can’t even compare the costs we suffer now to the glory that God will bring from it. All of creation is straining in anticipation; longing to see God’s glory shine through God’s children! (Romans 8: 18-19)

                   What is the value of one life transformed? Consider this. In John 1:12 you read that everyone who believes has the power to become a child of God. Each of these children carry God’s glory and all the potential for healing and transformation His power makes possible. So, is your plan to use your authority and influence to direct your people’s efforts? Or, do you want to trust each of them to your father and theirs, so that His Spirit will guide their lives?

                   Paul’s focus was directed toward making an introduction, knowing each person had the power to be used by the Lord God in ways that make all of creation stand up and take notice. Because of that, he was willing to suffer any cost required to bring one more person into restored relationship with God.

                   Focus on your people’s potential to be children of God. Give whatever you must to empower them to see God’s glory shine through their lives.

JULY 26 – A PRIVILEGE

 What claim has any man to your attention? Why do you care about anyone born to man? And you made him just less than God, and so have crowned him with glory and honor unlike any other creature. You give him authority over creation, and you made him able to become complete. (Psalm 8:4-6) 

                  When you are asked how you feel, what comes to mind? Do you consider exhausted, busy, overwhelmed, challenged? How about privileged? Do you see that you are privileged each day to be given authority and responsibility by the God of creation? Do you marvel at the opportunity and think first of the gratitude you feel for that gift?

                   David clearly understood that gift, and he was filled with gratitude that the Lord considered him to be worthy of God’s attention, inclusion in His plans, and the assurance of a future marked by success and completeness. David was humble. His words reflect a proper view of his role in God’s plan.

                   View each day as privilege; full of opportunity and hope. Approach each new person as a part of God’s plan, and the work He is doing in you and in His world.

JULY 25 – WHY?

 Others come to manipulate and destroy lives; kill others, while pursuing selfish gain. I am here so that each of them can have life; full, complete life in every way. My role, like the good shepherd is to give my everything – even my life – for other people. (John 10: 10-11)

                   Why are you placed in a position of authority and responsibility? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you say like Paul that Jesus is living in you and animating your life, there is only one reason. If Jesus is living in and through your life, His purpose is to, “give everything – even your life – for others.” Your purpose then, is to use all of what you have been given to make a difference; to help others find that, “full, complete life.”

                   Jesus was always clear about the cost of following Him. If you follow Jesus you must regard the Lord God as your Father, and you must be willing to give up any claim to ownership of anything He places in your hands. You must recognize that you may lose everything if you obey Him, and you may lose connection with everyone you hold dear. If you are willing to give in this way, God can use you in his transforming work.

                   Use what you are given to bring others to Jesus and the life He offers.

JULY 24 – TRANSFORMED OR TERRORIZED?

 So, therefore, if you are a master, give each of your servants what he or she needs to live in this reality; God’s rule. Stop your threats. Only the Lord, God is truly their master as He is yours. He doesn’t see you as superior to another because of your earthly status. (Ephesians 6:9)

                   Remember, your role in life is to live in close, loving, devoted relationship with the Lord, and to love your people in a way that helps each of them to find that transforming relationship. You can’t make a rule or threaten a consequence in a way that will lead to real transformation. In such an environment of regulation, fear is the result, and that fear motivates only the body. The heart, filled with terror, begins to focus on self-preservation and escape; not a great breeding ground for prosperity and transformed lives.

                   Paul here is really talking about trust. He encourages the reader to trust God when He says that God will prevail, expects only obedience from you, and that He has a plan for each of your people’s lives as well. Paul also is encouraging you, as a leader, to trust your people; to recognize that each of them – if they submit to God’s plan – can fulfill God’s role for them in your community. Each one can achieve without your constant intervention.

                   Trust God enough not to terrorize your people.

JULY 23 – PROSPEROUS OR POWERLESS?

 Remembering that you know, you will ultimately be measured by whether you have obeyed; how you have responded to God’s will. So, no person is a slave in the end. You are free in Christ Jesus, whether you are master or slave in this life. (Ephesians 6:8)

                  Those who see themselves as slaves to another person feel the heavy weight of powerlessness. Most people, under the authority of another who treats them as slave, will struggle. The fear of failing to please the master will lead to stress that ultimately affects every part of life and every relationship. People cannot prosper if they feel they are powerless and enslaved. Have you created an environment of empowerment and encouragement for your people that will enable your group to prosper? Or, do your people suffer in an atmosphere of stress and fear where they feel powerless?

                  Paul reminds the believers at Ephesus that there is no fear of man nor of this world when you are in Christ Jesus. The joy of relationship with God is that all your hope is in Him. Your work as a free child of God is simply to do what He asks you to do. That is the work for each of your people, too. To lead them well is to encourage them to pursue the life God has planned for each one – even if that vision leads them away from you.

                   Trust the Lord. Trust your people to His care. Let them prosper in His power.