AUGUST 13 – ON A MISSION

 I glorified you on earth. I completed the work you have given me to do while here. (John 17:4)

    Jesus had a mission to complete while He was living among men and women in this world. He explained in this passage that every action of His life had one basic purpose – to glorify the Lord God, His Father on earth. By doing so he caused men and women to worship, praise, and adore God and follow His plan for life with all their strength. Is that your mission? Is that the focus of your life and the end to which you are leading your people?

   Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion. He had, indeed, completed the work among men and women that He was given to do. And, in so following the Father God’s will for that life, He had brought glory, honor, and praise to Him and His name. Obedience; being true to what His given mission required, was the reason God was glorified. That is also the way that you will bring honor to God. Simple obedience to the work – that is your mission.

                   Glorify God. Finish the work He has given and will give you to do. That is your mission. Allow the Lord to complete it through His work in your life.

AUGUST 12 – MAKE CARING A HABIT

 You really worship; really show your love to the Lord God our Father, when you continue in caring for widows and orphans – all those whom the world abandons, and when you keep yourself pure for Him. (James 1:27)

                   Anyone, any organization, can care about people for a time. It is relatively easy to motivate your people to muster great effort and to perform a heroic, one-time deed. Will you do the ongoing work, and pay the increasing costs required to build and sustain a culture of caring? Changing culture requires the discipline of habit, and habit comes from frequent, consistent, intentional communication. What you focus on is what will happen. With all the demands of your organization, will you focus primary attention on the welfare of the people God has given to you for care?

                   The writer of this letter is so frank; so direct. Two hard tasks are defined. Consistently care for everyone – regardless of their productive value (what they can do for you) and consistently challenge yourself to be disciplined in the way you follow God’s plan for your life in every detail. Wow! What a challenge.

                   Take that challenge and make it your own. Be the person God calls you to be. Continue to invest in your people every day to help them create a culture of caring.

AUGUST 11 – ENGAGE THEM IN CARING

 Many of them told him (Bartimaeus) to be quiet, but he continued to cry out, “Lord, Son of David, help me!” Jesus stopped and said to them, “Call him.” So, they said to him, “Be at peace. He has chosen you.” (Mark 10:48-49)

    Even though Jesus taught his followers to look for those needing care, encouraged them to help, and modeled that behavior, they still often struggled themselves to value people and engage with them as Jesus did. His response was to instruct them in specific ways to connect with those in need. He made His people participate. Will you do that? It’s hard work.

   Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, where His identity and His purpose would be revealed, and the people who followed Him must have realized He was moving with great purpose and intent – all business. Surely, they must have thought – He can’t be bothered by one blind man. Not today. But, when Jesus heard the man’s cry for help, He didn’t simply overrule them. He engaged them in the work of caring for the man. “Call him – bring him to me.”

   Will you find ways for your people to become engaged in the work of caring? That is how, and that is when they will begin to understand.

AUGUST 10 – EVERYONE MATTERS

 When you prepare a great feast, make sure you include the poor and sick – the forgotten who cannot repay your favor. And then, you’ll really be able to celebrate. They can’t repay your kindness, but you will be compensated at the resurrection of God’s people. (Luke 14:13-14)

                   Do you care about everyone? Do you recognize the people that the world overlooks and ignores? Does your caring about them result in action?

                   Jesus must have answered each of these questions with a resounding, “yes!” He was roundly criticized, and routinely questioned and challenged for acting to care for those whom others deemed to be unimportant. This advice explained the reason. God values all people. To Him, everyone matters. You may say this often, encouraging your people to care about everyone in your communities. But, until they see you consistently honor the people whom the world tries not to see, it will only be words; hollow words.

                   Always include everyone in your celebrations of what the Lord has done. Look for ways to enlarge your tent to cover people others would not invite to come in. Care for them, and so teach your people how to care.

AUGUST 9 – TEACHING SUBMISSION

 You know that you were called to a life that does not repay evil with evil, nor insult for insult. You have been made heir to blessing. That is your calling; to be a blessing, no matter what others do to you. (1 Peter 3:9)

                   Do you think Peter recalled the events of the garden on the night Judas betrayed Jesus as he gave this advice to his readers? Clearly, this memory was on his mind (1 Peter 2: 20-23) as he recounted those events earlier in his letter. In the garden, Jesus both told Peter the truth of submission and He modeled it. If your people are to obey in the face of evil, you must do the same.

                   “No matter what,” is very broad. Peter says essentially, “Focus on being a blessing to others. Ignore anything else that may distract you.” The first part of this passage speaks the truth, and the second explains why. You can imagine how Peter must often have lived the advice he gave. He stated this truth so clearly, and with such certainty and authority.

                   Live your life today as Jesus, then Peter have counseled. Share this truth with your people, so that they too may bless others.

AUGUST 8 – LIVING SUBMISSION

 Jesus told Peter, “Put up your sword – back where it belongs. This is my Father’s plan for Me. Will I not accept it?” (John 18:11)

                   Will you surrender your right to fight back? Can you act in a way that will cause your people concern without defending your actions? Will you continue to trust and simply do what Jesus tells you to do even when it brings humiliation?

                   Jesus, who Peter had seen control the storm, cast out demons, and make sickness disappear, showed him here the way of obedient submission. The disciples were unaccustomed to losing, and this sure looked like a big loss. It must have been inconceivable to the followers that Jesus could be arrested by mere men. Surely, fear gripped Peter. His love for Jesus motivated him to fight to protect Him. Could such passionate loyalty be wrong? Jesus explained that it could – if it goes against God’s plan.

                   Consistently, let your only defense be that you wish to be obedient to the Father’s plan for you. Lead your people to accept God’s will for you and your group simply because it is His will.

AUGUST 7 – WHO CAN REST?

 From Solomon: If the Lord God does not build a house, the workers are wasting their time. If He does not protect a city, no defense will protect it. Your long days, working through meals; from early morning to late at night – all unnecessary.

The Father gives to those He loves rest and peace. (Psalm 127:1-2)

                   Do you trust God enough to rest? Do you realize that it will be much harder for your people to trust him if you act like it is all up to you? There is work you must do, but if you are doing the work the Lord wants you to do, you will have time for rest and peace.

                   Solomon asked (2 Chronicles 1:8-12) for and received wisdom from God; wisdom to rule – to lead. The advice of this passage reflects the truth of a very important, underlying precept. God’s will is not going to be frustrated, avoided or suppressed. Work not based on His plan is meaningless in the life of one of God’s children. He will bring about the end He desires in and through your life. Your responsibility ends at obedience.

                   Live this truth, modeling it for those you lead, and teaching them to work profitably and rest well. With their resulting grateful and obedient hearts, the work will be completed – God’s way.