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?

APRIL 9 – STRUGGLING TO CHANGE

 Then the man said, “Your name won’t be only Jacob now, but Israel; because you struggled with God and men and you held on for God’s blessing. (Genesis 32:28)

                Jacob was exceptionally clever. By his wits, his hard work, and his perseverance, he had gained many of the marks of success. But, his history was also marked by the way he had deceived and schemed to take from others – especially his brother, Esau. Then, on the night before finally facing Esau again, he faced not only that struggle, but also had reached the end of himself, where now he sought God.

                He endured a long, exhausting night of struggle, but Jacob held on. He emerged weakened, injured, and exhausted. And – he was changed. No longer just the sly, crafty man who was afraid of those he had deceived, Israel become his new name because he had wrestled with God. He endured the long night of struggle without giving up. Having met God face-to-face, he was now ready to return to the place where he would live out God’s plan for his life.

                Recognize today that this is the struggle each person must engage if they are to live in God’s plan. From that honest, transparent, face-to-face battle with God comes God’s transformation. With God’s transforming power comes a future. Have your struggle to change today.

APRIL 8 – KNOW YOUR PEOPLE

 But Jesus didn’t give full trust to them, because of their words, because He knew people. Nor did He need anyone else to tell Him about each one, because He knew them at a heart level; who they were at their core (John 2:24-25)

                How could Jesus know? Is it possible for you to really know your people? Or, is that out of your reach; something only God can do? Well, yes. Yes, this level of knowing other people is out of your reach, but also, yes – it is possible for you to really know your people this way.

               Jesus explained how this is possible. He said that even He could do nothing, except as the Father gave Him understanding (John 5:19, et al). This is because God knows people’s hearts. He knows their nature. He can tell you if they have truly changed (1 Samuel 16:7). So, the Father can be trusted to give you this understanding as you listen to and observe people at all levels of your organization. As you relate to God through His Spirit in you, He also will give you the actions and the words that will bring hope and belief to those same people He has called you to serve. You must engage with them directly, face-to-face, but as you do so - never lose sight of God’s face.

                Commit to the work of relating to your people, as you relate to the Lord. This will give you the understanding to lead your people well.

APRIL 7 – EXPECTATIONS

 If you walk in the path I have shown you, and value the commands I give you and do what I say, then… (Leviticus 26:3)

                God speaks clearly about the results He expects. The answer is always the same. He requires that you walk in the way He has prepared, you recognize the words He speaks to be Truth, and you spend your Life following Him; obeying what He asks. This is the Lord’s clear expectation for each man and woman He creates.

                In a very similar way, an effective leader will communicate his or her expectations in a clear, complete, and appropriate way to each, individual member of his or her community. There can be no accountability unless you provide each person with a definition of the role that individual will play and the responsibilities that come with the role. Have you done the hard work of asking God to help you see His individualized plans for your responsibility to lead each of your people? Have you modeled and taught them to give clear-cut expectations to those whom they influence? The job of a leader is to build other leaders who also learn how to follow God’s plan.

               Ask God today to give you clarity of thought and the voice to communicate His will to the people you lead.

APRIL 6 – REPETITION

 Store my words deep in your heart and soul. Make them part of every work of your hand and every thought. Teach them to your children, and tell everyone about them, whatever you’re doing, from sun up to bedtime. Post my word everywhere you look. (Deuteronomy 11:18-20)

                Repetition. The name of the book Deuteronomy means repeated law. Not surprisingly, Moses repeats the law in it – repetitively. In this passage, he urges different ways to not only repeat God’s word all the time, but to work His word into every part of life; home, work, sleeping, waking, working, and thinking. God knows you intimately. He created you. So, He knows how important repetition is to the formation of habits that mold your character. Understanding the importance of repetition will then help you in teaching His word to those you lead.

                The words that describe vision and mission for your people, and the words God gives to be their values and principles in the work they are to do together, must be taught and blessed. They should be present everywhere. These words also must be lived. They must become the default system for each process, challenge, and opportunity if you are to lead a group of people to become a real community.

                Repeat God’s word! Again, repeat God’s word!

APRIL 5 – ACTIONS OR WORDS

 I remember Lord. You have saved me from death, have brought me through sorrow, and have kept me from failures. All this, so that I may obey and live for you while I’m on this earth. I will keep on believing, and I will speak, even when I suffer greatly. (Psalm 116:8-10)

                As the Psalmist relates, God can be trusted. Citing this passage, Paul explains to the people in Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:13) that this foundational belief is at the root of action. You, and your people will act based upon what you believe is true.

 What you do, especially as you “suffer greatly,” facing challenges and dangers, will show your people what you really believe. And, other people act based upon what they believe. They know they will prosper most by pleasing the leader. So, they usually will instinctively adjust what they do to what you show them you believe. If your words conflict with your actions, people will be confused, uncertain, and often will even feel that you have lied to them.

In the end, do you have the humility to see times when you have acted in conflict with your core beliefs? Are you strong enough to acknowledge those failures? Do you love your people enough to correct the error? Act as if their lives depend upon it.

APRIL 4 – EVERYWHERE YOU GO

You will receive great power from the Holy Spirit when He comes to you and lives in you. Then, you will tell everyone I send you to all about me; each one, no matter where they are in the world. (Acts 1:8)

                How far is your reach? You may think of each group you see regularly. Maybe you’d count only those in the smaller circles of family, friends, and closest business associates. If you lead an organization, your extended reach is to the far corners of the world. Each person led or influenced by you has influence over others in their geographical location, business relationships, family, and other interests. Also, you may never personally know all the people who will be affected by your obedience when the Lord sends you to a person.

The implications of this reality are many. Each one tells you a little about God’s plans. His plans are bigger, more complex, further-reaching, longer-term, and they affect far more people than you can imagine. As you speak one specific word of God’s encouragement to a person or group, that word begins to travel to the far corners of your organization, and even to the ends of the world.

Begin today to take seriously each opportunity the Spirit presents for you to take Christ to the ends of the world.