MAY 29 – WITH PROCESS

 After this, the Lord Jesus identified seventy others. Then, He sent them out two by two, to arrive before Him into every city and every place He would come. (Luke 10:1)

                   Jesus sent these people out with very detailed instructions. He gave them a very specific process to follow in their work. He gave them actions that would let them live their way into greater understanding of His gospel, His mission, and the Kingdom of God. These practices are preparing them to live their faith in Him.

                   The practices, processes, and detailed instructions for not only what the people of your community will do, but also how they will do the work and how they will relate to each other, and why they are doing what they do – all of that – becomes part of your community’s culture. As your people live their way into greater understanding, much of it will seem to happen unconsciously – almost from habit. But, you must understand that it is your hard work in obedience to the vision God has given you that will create the environment where it occurs.

                   Ask God to give you the whats, whoms, and all the whens and hows you will communicate as you send your people out.

MAY 28 – WHAT DO YOU WANT?

 Then, James and John’s mother approached Jesus. She knelt and asked if he might grant her a favor. Jesus asked her simply, “What do you want?” (Matthew 20:20-21)

                   Do you ask your people what they want? In a world of expert studies and polling data, customer service indices, and trade publications you may think you know what they want. However, if you ask them - seriously – and give them time to think, you may be surprised. You may get a real and thoughtful answer.

                   Jesus often asked this question in one form or another. It was more to make the other person think than to get their answer. This question makes the responder consider, “What is important?” When your people have an opportunity to tell you what they really want, and they have time to carefully think about it, and they believe you will listen and care, they will be serious. The answer will then help you – and the process will help them more. One of the greatest ways to show love for another is to be concerned for their deepest desires.

                   Invest the time and energy to ask your people, “What do you want?”

 

MAY 27 – AND PRAY CONSTANTLY

 We pray for you all the time. We want God to finish His work in you, so you will complete all He has given you to do, and Jesus will shine through you – with you bringing Glory to Him. All this so others see His work in you. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

                   Ultimately, the choice is theirs. Your people will choose whom they will serve. God will lead you through His Holy Spirit to encourage and help, but the choice is theirs. They will choose their own direction. What should you do if that is the case?

                   Paul is clear. Prayer is what makes the difference. Just as it is God who speaks to you through His written word, through the Holy Spirit, and through the world and events around you, He is speaking to your people. Paul knows, and explains here, that it is God who wills to bring you to the place where you will be useful, but He does not abandon others, leaving their future up to you. He is actively working in each person’s life; each of your people’s lives, the best thing you can do to help them is to pray!

                   Pray for your people “all the time.” Ask God to continue to convict, to speak, and to work in and through their lives to complete His work in them.

MAY 26 – SHOW INTEGRITY

 Always remember Jesus Christ, the living Lord, prophesied as Messiah King. He’s the good news. That is why I will suffer – even now bound in chains like a common criminal. But, Jesus and the truth of His life will never be stopped. That’s why I’ll keep going through this and anything else they do to me– so others will know Him. (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

                    When people are uncomfortable, and especially if they suffer a loss, they often look for a way out. To keep going when things get tough, your people need a reason to continue to believe and to push through difficulties. Will you give them the model of integrity that will encourage them? Will your actions show them that life in Jesus Christ is worth any cost?

                   Paul knew Timothy would soon pick up the mantle of leadership. His words must have both encouraged and scared Timothy. He could see clearly that the life ahead of him would be hard, but here Paul assure him – “It is worth it!” That’s what your people need. They don’t need empty promises that sugar-coat the truth. They need to know that living with values is hard. But, they also need to know that it can be done, and that it is work that is worth doing.

                  Have integrity. Life the life you ask of your people, and so lead them persevere until they can see their effort was worth it.

MAY 25 – FRAME THE CHOICES,

 Next, little children were brought to Jesus in hopes that He would bless and pray for them, but his disciples tried to prevent them from coming. Jesus said, “Leave them alone. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these.” (Matthew 19:14)

                   When opportunities present themselves, where your people clearly are going against the values you are teaching, do you take advantage of that opportunity? It may seem like a small issue, but the simple, clear choices that arise, can be great times for your people to learn.

                   Jesus saw the disciples’ intent. They determined he was a man on an important mission. His time was much too important to be spent with children. Jesus made clear the choice He was making. He chose people. Jesus loved people; individual people. He loved every one of them. He later would die for people; beggars, lepers, and robbers, as well as disciples and Pharisees – and children. People matter to Jesus – always. He values people. He makes it His job to be sure that His followers value people too.

                Jesus still values people. You have no people in your life who are unimportant. Help them all to learn to make the right choices.

MAY 24 – THE BIG QUESTIONS,

 One who was there had been by the pool, unable to walk for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him, approached, and asked, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5: 5-6)

                   Believe it or not, some people really become accustomed to being miserable. They may settle for a life that is far less than they could have, simply because it is much easier to give up than it would be to change. Some of your people are living this way. The biggest question for them – and for their future with you – is, “Do you want to get well?”

                   Jesus’ suspicion seemed to be confirmed in this story. The response he received when He asked the question was an excuse. People will often have an excuse for not stretching; not reaching beyond their present circumstances. It is your job as a leader to challenge your people with the big question. Ask them, “Will you be all that you were created to be?” If they give you excuses, you may try to help, but you are looking for those who simply say, “Yes!”

                   Ask the big questions of your people, and then challenge and invest in those who respond in faith and hope that they are ready to say, “Yes!”

MAY 23 – ASK….

 They (religious leaders) asked Jesus, “Why do your people not follow all of our traditions and rules? They don’t even follow mealtime ritual.” Jesus replied with a question, “Why do you ignore God’s word, and choose your traditions instead?” (Matthew 15:2-3)

                  Asking questions is a powerful way of teaching truth. Jesus used questions often. As you watch and listen to your people, there will be opportunities for you to see, and to hear the challengers who are competing with God’s will and your stories for your people’s attention. As you are attentive, the Holy Spirit may provide you with a question. That question may lead the person, or those watching, to consider His or her words. This gives each one an opportunity to see the truth.

                  Jesus, recognizing that these Pharisees were not interested in God’s truth, proceeded to explain how they had ignored God’s truth to seek their own, selfish interests. Then, He clearly contrasted God’s desire for heart-felt relationship with men and women to the empty performance rituals of the temple leadership. His question led to many people understanding more about God and His truth.

                   Look for the questions that God wants you to ask your people.