AUGUST 20 – SHARE A MESSAGE

 Be sure. Understand that the great message of God’s power and desire to save men and women from death and loss has now been sent out for the rest of the world, and they will be receptive to it! (Acts 28:28)

                   Do you understand that you are God’s chosen messenger? He picked you to be the one who will bless a people – your people – with His love and grace. Do you take this responsibility seriously? Do you see this mission as the reason you are where you are each day? Do you talk about your calling repeatedly so that your people may understand and embrace the truth of God’s message of love for you and for them?

                   The central truth; the great message of all time, is salvation. Mankind, doomed to a life of fear and overwhelming misery by the penalty of selfish sin, can be restored to relationship with God, and can experience His prosperity, peace, and joy. It is a positive message. It is good news.

                   God has given you a way He wants you to express this message, and a people with whom He wants you to share it. Share it as the urgent good news that it is.

AUGUST 19 – SHARE A DESIRE

 In your passionate focus and intensity be careful and persistent, your spirit boiling over – serving the Lord with great urgency. (Romans 12:11)

                   Paul directs the reader of this passage to embrace a consistent devotion to brothers and sisters. He challenges that person to be both focused on acting, and to be focused in his or her spirit toward the Lord’s business. It is an attitude that combines passionate, intense, eager, expectant, obedient submission with carefully and constantly watching – alert for opportunity - all while waiting to hear what is urgent to the Lord.

                   Do you live with this passion? Do you focus intently and carefully on God, looking for how He would have you act to show your devotion to your brother and sister? Passion cannot be taught. Rather, if you live your life before your people in this attitude of burning desire for what is the Lord’s; boiling over for Him, your people will be attracted to the life that they see in and through you. They will begin to share your passion and desire as they see it is the way to life that is worth living.

                   Boil over with desire for Jesus Christ. Lead you people to find that passion within themselves as they learn to follow Him.

AUGUST 18 – SHARE A PERSPECTIVE

 And everything; everything you say and any work that you do, do it all in the name of your Lord Jesus Christ, as you give thanks to God the Father through Him for every opportunity. (Colossians 3:17)

                  Do you see all of life as sacred; even the details of a busy work day? If your work comes from, and is directed by God’s Holy Spirit, it is His work. You are a priest; each step a divine activity that is part of His plan for the world. Your people need to understand this character of the work, so they may see the importance of acting responsibly themselves, and with excellence as they pursue God’s vision.

                  Everything covers a lot. Paul sets a very high standard with only a few words. Every word? How often has a careless, seemingly harmless, word you have spoken caused problems for you or someone else? The Bible is filled with cautions to guard the tongue (1 Peter 3:10 et al), says to be careful to think (Colossians 4:6), and encourage (Ephesians 4:29) with that tongue. Each and all these actions require that you relate to the Lord to discover His will for what you say and do. This is true for every act of your day. One small act that is unconsidered can ruin months of good work, and cause opportunities to be lost.

                  So, do everything in the way God tells you. Help your people to understand that is your perspective and help them to embrace the same discipline.

AUGUST 17 – SHARE A RELATIONSHIP

 Listen – Hear what I am telling you. No one may enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh, but Spirit is born of Spirit. (John 3:5-6)

                   Every home has a leader; a parent. Are you acting as the father or mother of your people? Or, do you acknowledge as Jesus did, that you are a brother or sister to them? They need to know that the Holy Spirit of God, your father, is the motivating power behind your work; what moves you to action.

                   The central truth-  that like gives life to like in the spiritual realm just as it does in the animals and the plants of the natural world - is a very important concept of life lived in Christ. It is foundational. The work of God is not motivated by the events of the world as you interpret them and reason the right action. God’s work – His plans – His way forward for you and your people can come only from Him. Father God is the parent of the family, or the family cannot please Him. Your work is to become “like” God, as He gives you vision and direction.

                   Remember your role in the family. Help your people to understand that relationship, so they will aspire to achieve the same, right relationship with God.

AUGUST 16 – SHARE A HABITATION

 Be to me my strong habitation – the home where I can live continually. You have made the way for me to be saved; my rock and my strong defender. My security. (Psalm 71:3)

                   Families have homes. If you see your role as growing a family of the people whom God has given you to lead, where is their home? One of the important things a parent teaches a child very early in life is to know their address. That way, the child can always find their way home. What address will you provide your people? Where will they go when they need shelter and security?

                   The Psalmist is clear. His address is the Lord, God; not only when he is weak or afraid, but where he lives continually. The word he chooses is rich. Habitation speaks not just to the fact that God is a dwelling place; this home is a place he habitually resides. So, it also suggests that your living in Christ Jesus is about the habits of God; the character and actions which distinguish His family. The people who make Jesus be their address will be those whose habits are the same as His. They will love, serve, care for, and encourage each other, and those to whom they are sent.

                   Be sure to teach your people - especially the new children in your family – to know their address. Make sure they can always find their way home.

AUGUST 15 – SHARE A FAMILY

 Jesus responded, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then, He stretched His hand toward His followers saying, “Look – These are my mother and brothers, for this reason – whoever obeys the will of my Father -that is my brother, sister, mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50)

                  Do you see your people as family? Are you giving them the preference, focus, and love that people reserve for the closest members of their families? Do you make them feel they will be yours – no matter what? You are given a vision from God for your life, and work, and for your people. As you relate to and encourage your people to embrace that vision with you, and by that action to obey the Lord, you are calling them to be family.

                  Jesus explains here that both the pathway to, and the evidence of, renewing your relationship with God is obedience. Because you place your hope in Christ Jesus, believing Him for your future, and doing the work He gives, your relationship with God is restored. Once again, you are His child, and are relating to Him as He created you to live. As you lead your people to this same relationship, you become family with them; brothers and sisters in Christ, and through Him.

                  Grow your family. Find all the people God has given you, and then lead them to Him. Never let go until they come back home to the family of God.

 

AUGUST 14 – BE THAT MISSION

 There is nothing I’ve lost or suffered that matters to me. Nor do I count my own life as more valuable than to finish the work of service given to me by Jesus. With joy, I will tell of His good news of God’s grace and will be living evidence of that grace in my obedience to Him. (Acts 20:24)

                   Jesus was not the only example for living a mission. Paul understood mission too. Often, men and women understand that the mission (or missions) is the work to tell the good news of God’s saving work through Jesus Christ – that He loved the world so much He made Jesus be the way that men could return to a living relationship with Him. Here, you see that Paul also understood that he must be the mission. He knew that he was the living evidence and presence of the living God in the world he was sent to serve because Christ lived in him.

                   When you consider the value of your mission, and the potential for life that will come from you allowing Christ to be that mission through your life, what cost could cause you to turn away from the plan that He has created for your life? Can you think of any cost so great that you would turn back from finishing your work?

                   Be the mission God has called you to be. Finish the work the Lord has for you to do – with joy and gratitude for everything that entails.

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.

AUGUST 6 – HOLD ON

 Look. Because I love you, I’m telling you again – don’t fall prey to the lies of the world. Be careful to hold onto – even to grow in your knowledge of, and your devotion to, Jesus. Protect your inheritance and bring Him glory now and forever. (2 Peter 3:17-18)

                   Which are the lies Peter may have recalled as he gave this advice? Maybe he remembered a dark night when he stood by a fire. The world would tell him that Jesus had been captured, and that Jesus and he must fear for their lives. His response must be to pull away, and to renounce any allegiance if he was to survive.

                   Obviously, Peter’s understanding of the way to preserve his life had changed by the time he wrote this letter. “Jesus is the treasured inheritance. Hang on to Him when dangers threaten you,” became his final word. This instruction was literally the final word of his letter. In this life, Peter no doubt suffered as he paid the price of “listening to the lies.” The days between his betrayal of Jesus and Jesus’ work to restore him must have been brutal.

                   Save your people from this pain and danger. Help them learn from your actions and your words, that the only security is found in holding on to Jesus.

AUGUST 5 – BORN TO WIN

 Yes! You, oh Lord God, are my shelter from harm! You too – because the Lord has made God your home – rightly related to the High God, the horrors of sin; the things that destroy others in this world can’t take you down. (Psalm 91:9-10)

                   Do you hear the bottom line in this assurance from God’s word? Obviously, the writer did. Before he could write it, he had to shout the affirmation of his own life, “God will protect me! He’s on my side! I can’t lose!” Then comes the explanation; because you have determined to accept the gift of God as your source, and you focus your attention on Him, you are His relation. You are His family. The things that destroy others – those “horrors” that come from living life on the world’s terms – those things won’t destroy you when you are following God’s plan for your life.

                   As you see your people struggle against these destructive forces, you can be sure there is sin at the root of their problems. Where people are struggling, and lives are being destroyed, you will find opposition to God and His rule.

                   Encourage your people to look for God’s answers when they are struggling. Following His way is the key to their rescue.         

AUGUST 4 – NO STRESS / NO FEAR

 So, all the petty, foolish challenges and rivalries; arguments and stress over issues that don’t focus on god’s Hope for people. These things have no value; no point. They just lead to fear and division. (Titus 3:9)

                   Rivalry, stress, and arguments that divide focus your people inward, on themselves and self-preservation. Such is the opposite of the grateful hope Paul encouraged Titus to embrace. Confident Hope in Christ leads to gratitude that can focus all its energy on prayer, and on loving and caring for others. In the end, the love which unites is lasting and leads to more Hope and more life. A cycle of fear, as Paul observes, leads nowhere.

                   Can you withstand the temptation to correct people needlessly; to argue them into your way of seeing every detail? Or, will you spend your opportunity telling them about Jesus who is the truth (John 14:6), and who will lead them to His truth?

                   It is likely that your wisdom and knowledge is considerable. Don’t let that ability lead you astray. Your people need your Hope much more than they need your advice.

 

AUGUST 3 – ALL THE WAY

 So, being made new by His act, we receive this great inheritance of life with hope for more and more life. You can trust this hope, and encourage others who follow, that God’s way leads to prosperity. (Titus 3:7-8)

                   Do you live your life in attack mode? Are you optimistically anticipating each day as one who is an heir to the life that only God can give – the more and better, abundant life (John 10:10) that Jesus promised? Do you believe this so much you encourage others to follow and risk everything on that Hope in Christ?

    In his letter to Titus, Paul tells his protege to tell his people to go all the way; to lavishly and completely give up their lives, ignoring self-interest that would cause others to miss the new life that Jesus suffered to provide. Earlier in the letter, Paul said (Titus 2:7) Titus must make this full investment personally. Here, he urges one further step be risked; that Titus should exert all his influence to lead others to fully embrace a life of following Jesus Christ.

   Tell your people who you are and why you do what you do. Then, risk all your credibility and all your relationship with them as you invite them to go all the way.

AUGUST 2 – NEVER AFRAID

 You’re going to find yourself in trouble, but don’t worry. It is part of the work. The Father has planned for this, and He has placed you in these situations. He is going to speak to you; through you to the people you face. And, He will accomplish what He has planned to do. It’s all for Him. Don’t be afraid. (Matthew 10:18-20)

                   So many times, Scripture urges, “Don’t be afraid.” When the angels appeared, they usually began, “Fear not!” As the prophets foretold the events to come, even where they were difficult, they counseled, “Don’t be afraid…” Here, Jesus says explicitly, “Don’t be afraid,” and He explained why. God is in control. He knew that all of this would happen. He is going to walk through it with you, and He is going to win.

                   What does this mean to you? In a word, it means, “freedom.” You are free to simply do what the Lord God gives you to do each day. Every morning, you can get up, head out, and explain to your people that you are all headed out on a great adventure. And, you are headed together for success!

                   Never, not ever, should you fear. Don’t let your people fear. Instead, love them well encourage them to trust Jesus.

AUGUST 1 – NEVER TIRED

 The apostles came back and reported everything to Jesus. Jesus, seeing all the people around them, and all the activity, said, “get away with Me and rest. You haven’t even refreshed yourselves.” So, they went away together to a quiet place across the lake. (Mark 6:30-32)

                   Do you rest in Jesus? Or, are you stressed, worn out, tired of trying to do something that matters; something that will please Him? Worry and constant anxiety reveal fear. Perpetual busy-ness betrays that same emotion. Do your actions reveal your fear? How about your people?

The disciples had just returned from a work Jesus asked them to do. They were excited. No doubt they were concerned as to His view of their work, and - apparently - they came back to a busy, noisy, active scene around Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn’t feel compelled to address every person and every issue. The disciples were who He had called, and who He was given to lead. So, He focused on them.

   Jesus left the crowds, and the demands of His work to spend time with His people. He refreshed Himself, and in so doing, He refreshed them. Shouldn’t you do the same?

JULY 31 – LIKE AN ARTIST

 Remember – You didn’t pick me. I picked you because there is a work you are to do; that you were made to do; that I will do in and through your life. Whatever you need; whatever you ask to complete that work my way, will be yours. God will provide it, so you can finish His work. (John 15:16-17)

                   Is it your work, or the Lord’s work? Quickly. When you know it is God’s purpose, and you know He will prevail, you can simply complete the work as he made you to do it. That is the easy load and the light burden (Matthew 11:30) that Jesus spoke of. You will be an artist, completing the masterpiece that is your life – your story. God has ordained the ending. You simply complete the work.

                   Jesus here explains that you were uniquely crafted to be the one who He uses for a unique, important part of His plan. The promise He gives is that everything; everyone, you need to complete that work will be provided – just when you need them.

                   Understand this gift of being chosen. Help your people to understand what it means to follow Jesus, and to grow to be confident in His work in and through their lives. Help them, so He may complete His work in them as well.

JULY 30 – ACT LIKE A WINNER

 The Lord God told Joshua, “Not one of their men will be left standing. I have given you the victory – so, don’t be afraid.” So, Joshua marched all night, and was on the enemy suddenly. Then, God – the Lord God – crushed them. (Joshua 10:8)

                   Joshua was assured the victory. His response? Immediate! He got to work, confident of the outcome. Are you confident the enemy will be crushed? So confident that all your actions reflect your confidence that God is for you?

    Hesitation is fear. Action is borne of faith. If you trust that the Lord, God is going to give you the victory, you will act like it. You will look for His hand in each event. You will be grateful for each twist and turn of your story’s plot. You will be optimistic in the face of adversity and apparent defeat.

                   Have confidence. Be strong in the Lord and be of great courage. You are a winner because you belong to Jesus – Act like it!

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.

JULY 22 – EMPOWERED OR ENSLAVED?

 If you are a servant, obey your earthly master, whether that master is kind or evil. You have only one goal; to honor Jesus Christ. So, don’t serve to gain that master’s approval. Work as God’s servant, doing everything He asks with everything in you. Do it all without resentment – for Jesus; not for any man. (Ephesians 6:5-7)

                  People are valued because they are made in the image of God, and they are highly valued by Him. Slaves are valued for what they do; how much they produce. The Lord God works in and through men and women, giving each one an opportunity to flourish in the work He gives them to do. His only requirement; the basis for His estimate of their value – that they do what He asks with all their heart. That’s how each person becomes fully human.

                   Do you regard your people as mere slaves? Are they quickly evaluated on some basis measuring their contribution to the financial bottom line, and then rated and valued accordingly? Or, do you value and esteem each person as a unique creation of your God? Do you look for the reason God has brought each person to you, and do you pray to discern the proper role for each one in your community.

                   If productivity is the highest priority, people are enslaved. Where people come first they will be empowered and they will flourish.

JULY 21 - …AND RIGHT FOCUS

 And when the religious leaders saw Jesus was spending time with the worst people; very bad folks, they asked the people following Him, “why?” Jesus heard the question, and told them, “Because they are the people who need me.” (Matthew 9:11-12)

                  It is a lot of fun to invest in the best. They catch on quickly, make you look good as they perform well, and they are likely to be people whose company you enjoy. But, those best people may not be the ones who need you today. God may be asking you to invest in the hard cases for a while. Will you do that? Can you even allow that He may use one of your worst people, or one of the least from your perspective – to teach you something?

                   Jesus said He did only what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19). This decision assured He would always focus on the right person, and He would see them as they are – what they need. Those bad people needed to know they had a place at God’s table. The religious leaders needed to recognize their value as well. Jesus focused His love and care on the powerless. He encouraged the powerful to use their power well; most often this included instructions to be caring and generous to the weak.

                   With the many demands on your time and focus, be sure that you too are doing only what God leads, so you will always have the right person as your focus too.

JULY 20 – RIGHT PLACE…

 Jesus was becoming known. The news was spreading abroad, so that great numbers of people were coming to see Him and to be healed. But, He frequently went away to the deserted areas to pray – alone. (Luke 5:15-16)

                   Do you ever walk away from the crowd? Do you stop in the middle of apparent success because you need to be somewhere else? Because God is calling you to pause?

                   Jesus was not ruled by a schedule. Often, at critical times, He would go the opposite direction from where reason alone may have taken Him. God’s direction may send you to a quiet place to pray and reflect at what seems to be an inopportune time. He may want you to spend time in a different place or with other people, so that He can speak to you through what you see and hear there. It may be that your people need for you to be absent at a critical time, so that they will be more able to allow God to help them grow. Whatever the reason, whatever God’s call, don’t ignore His call and pursue what appears to be best simply because reason and judgment dictate that path.

                   Go to the right place, where the Lord is leading you, in preparation for what He will do in and through your life.

JULY 19 - … AND COMMUNITIES PAY

 And Moses saw the people had lost all reason. They were acting like animals. Aaron had failed to lead them, and so let them become an embarrassment to themselves. (Exodus 32:25)

                  Yes, individual leaders will pay a dear price for their failure to use well the authority they are given. But, that’s only half of the story. Whole communities pay for the failures of their leaders. Do you ever think about how much your people’s futures depend upon you leading them in a way that is obedient to the Lord’s vision for them?

                   The writer of Proverbs explained this dynamic very clearly (Proverbs 29:18). He said, when a leader loses his way and fails to lead his people toward a Godly vision, his people begin to act like slaves; they lose their humanity in the stress. They become anxious and engage in behavior that leads to their individual and group shame and failure. He said (Proverbs 29:19) such a servant will not respond to even wise counsel, but he must be disciplined and ruled by fear of consequences alone. So, rather than pursuing life in peace and joy, the whole community descends into fear and dread. A culture of shame, guilt, and self-preservation results.

                   Your people need your leadership. Use the opportunity God has given you to help them find their way to His prosperity.

JULY 18 – INDIVIDUALS PAY…

 But, when King Uzziah became great and powerful, he became conceited and proud. This led to his destruction, as he entered the temple and sinned against God by lighting the incense on the altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16)

                   Do you ever over-rule the rules? Often, those who achieve great success and become powerful start to think of themselves as being exceptional. The ethical constraints may then come to be viewed as necessary only to control others who aren’t quite so exceptional. This is a dangerous place to be. God opposes this kind of pride (Proverbs 3:34, et al).

    Uzziah not only did wrong by taking on the role of the priests, but when eighty of the priests came to him to correct him, he became angry with them for challenging his authority. Immediately, leprosy began to appear on his forehead. His rule was over. His great and powerful history was reduced to a legacy of having disobeyed God and having to die a humiliating death as a leper. Pride inevitably will lead to the loss of power and influence.

    God’s leaders must resist the temptation to become arrogant. The opportunity to finish well is forfeited when power and authority lead to - even well-meaning – even benevolent - arrogance.

JULY 17 - … RESPECTING THEM TOO

 So, I encourage you to fear the Lord, God, to serve only Him, and to put away every other pursuit. But, if that doesn’t make sense to you, choose to serve who or what you will, but for me; for my family, we serve the Lord God. (Joshua 24:14-15)

                   Have you ever considered that genuine respect for another person includes that you must allow them to be wrong? If so, you may have also realized that your role is never to ‘fix’ that person, fight their battles, nor otherwise to take God’s place in their life. Your appropriate role is limited to what the Holy Spirit leads you to say or do.

                   Joshua must have recognized these truths. In this, his final address to his people, he made clear to them the truth as he understood and lived it personally. Joshua’s Lord defeated all the gods worshipped by the Egyptians. He had driven out all those who had been conquered there in the new land. The evidence was compelling, but still – Joshua respected the people he led enough to acknowledge their authority to make their own decisions. To the end, the great warrior and leader refused to feel entitled to treat them as subjects.

                   Be creative, charming, and persuasive; even be passionate as God leads you to encourage your people. But, be respect them always. It’s their call.

JULY 16 – IDENTIFYING WITH THEM…

 The reason the Father does love me is that I give my life; lay it down, and then finish the work before taking it up again. Not as a victim, nor a martyr, I do it willingly. The Father gave me this work, and the authority to do it. (John 10: 17-18)

                   You have been given a work to do. The Lord either has or He will, show you that work as you follow Him and ask for Him to show you. Just like Jesus, your work will be to serve your people; the people the Father has created you to serve. Will you use the power and authority that God gives you to do that work? Will you focus on; even identify with your people and their need so that you will finish well?

                   Jesus bewildered those listening to Him. It was confusing and unexpected enough for Him to say He would willingly die. But, there have been other martyrs. Jesus made clear that He had great power and authority. This death would be His own decision, and further, His death would be temporary. This was more than the religious listeners could handle. The work that the Father has for you is the same. Can you believe it? He is calling you to willingly lay down your life. Like Jesus, you must do it willingly, identifying with your people’s need.

                   Embrace the temporary death God calls you to. Lay down your life for your people.

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.