DECEMBER 26 – YOU MUST UNITE THEM

1Jesus called a dozen of His followers. He gave them great authority – to drive out evil and to serve, and to heal every disease. 5-7Jesus sent them out saying, “Do not go to Gentiles or Samaritans. I’m sending you to the people of Israel…. Your message is this, ‘The kingdom of heaven is approaching’… 8Give generously of yourself and what I’ve given you…9-15And extend trust.” (Matthew 10:1,5-15)

                   There have been thousands of books, lectures, articles, videos, and sermons on effective leadership and supervision. Jesus gives here the executive summary for all the meaningful advice those efforts include. He selected the right people. He clearly explained their role and responsibility, and He gave them the authority to do the job. After showing them how, Jesus sent them out, explaining carefully the vision (to deliver His message), the people to benefit, and two important values to remember (generosity and trust).

                   If you wish to lead effectively, you must also bring your people together around well-defined values to pursue a clear common vision. You must give each the authority to do the work for which he or she will be held responsible. You must tell them whom to serve, information and examples about how to serve them, and then, when you send them out, you must stay out of their way.

                   Learn from the leader who continues to lead you today. Unite your people around His vision and values to serve His people.

DECEMBER 24 – VALUES MUST BE MODELED

So (Jesus) told John’s followers, “Go back to John and tell him the things you have seen me do, and the things you’ve heard Me say…” (Luke 7:22)

                   Do you dare to tell your people to watch what you do and listen to what you say, so they can judge who you are and what you are? Whether you tell them to do this or not, it will be the primary way they make this judgment. Your people will decide what you think is important by the things they see you do each day, especially in your personal interactions with them. For this reason, if you want to pursue what God has told you, and you want to teach your people to follow Him too, you must be very careful to act with integrity. You must live by your stated, defined values, or those values will have no meaning to your people.

                   If some of your people directly lead others, they must also be held accountable by you for their words and behavior in these relationships. Otherwise your values will have no meaning to any of them. If your people represent you in any relationships with other people, they all will be affected negatively if accountability is not a part of your process.

                   In the end, the values your people are taught are always the values that are modeled, regardless of what is said. Be sure the right values are modeled.

DECEMBER 23 – VALUES MUST BE TAUGHT

Therefore (because God’s unchanging law is forever), anyone who dismisses the least one of these, God’s laws, and teaches other people to do the same thing – that teacher will end up being last in God’s realm. But, the person who pursues right-living and teaches others to do so, will be great in that kingdom. (Matthew 5:19)

                   You will teach your people something. Remember, they are listening to you, looking for clues and creating a mental picture of what is important. Jesus gives you the two alternatives you can choose. You may decide to treat some or all of what is important to God as unimportant, displeasing God. If so, you’ll finish last. Or, you can pursue what He gives you diligently, working to communicate clearly and consistently that everything God says is important. Then you will please God.

                   Jesus says here, “Obeying God, obediently, and helping others understand what to obey, how to obey, and the importance of obeying God, obediently – That is the way to greatness.” Since Jesus included teaching others in His metric, you may want to be intentional about that work as well.

                   Follow the values God gives you. Teach the values to your people. Become great in God’s eyes.

DECEMBER 22 – VALUES MUST BE DEFINED

(Jesus said), “Don’t regard all of this as an indication that I am here to wipe out God’s law or what He said through His prophets. No, I’m coming – bearing in me the completion of those messages.” (Matthew 5:17)

                   Why should you have to define your values? Doesn’t everyone understand simple words like honesty and respect? In fact, no, not even most. Many people have no understanding of the Judeo-Christian concepts of morality. Many more have lived with definitions that are very different from the absolute values in God’s word. Fewer numbers have studied God’s word trying to live what they learn as led by the Holy Spirit.

                   Jesus followed up this statement with examples of what He meant, as He fleshed out some practical implications of the law (Matthew 5:21-48). He gave real-world application to the followers, which He took from everyday life and common circumstances. If your people are to understand your values; what you have promised them will be your guide, you must do the same. If you can’t be sure they understand your meaning, the accountability that is so important to a healthy community will be impossible.

                   Ask the Lord to give you wisdom. Ask Him to make clear to you the values and definitions your people need to live life together in community.

DECEMBER 21– YOUR PROMISES TEACH VALUES

Jesus saw the crowds, and He went up on the mountain. As they drew near to Him, He began to share God’s promises; “The poor are blessed that they are rich in the kingdom of God. The mourners, that they will find comfort. The gentle and humble, that they are the heirs to the land. Those who want more of God’s way as if thirsty or starving for it are blessed that God will fill them up…” (Matthew 5:1-6)

                   The values you hold dear; what matters to you, can be communicated and defined for your people by the promises you make to them, and by the promises you require from them. The character of relationships is composed of these promises when they are clearly stated, and even if they are simply learned by watching you.

                   Jesus communicated His promises. These were the promises of God. He did it clearly in words, and with everyday examples people could understand. Here he mentions the feelings of rejection, humiliation, and loss that are so common to the human experience. Then He counters all the negative with God’s promises. God’s best is theirs not only despite their sad state and great needs, but these gifts are the antidotes for these human problems.

                   Your people are looking for someone to promise that they can be valued, loved, and included. Will you make those promises to them today?

DECEMBER 10 – RULES CAN’T DO IT

But the results that give evidence of God’s Holy Spirit working in a life are evident in what you see. They are a love for other people, cheerful happiness, an inner calm and peace, a willingness to wait. These people are kind and gentle, consistently good, and are unruffled by challenges. You can’t make these traits appear by force. Rules don’t bring these results. (Galatians 5:22-23)

                   People who lead are often fond of rules. Rules are simple. If you could only list the important dos and don’ts in one place, and then threaten consequences for those who don’t follow that list, it would be so easy…. Well, not really. Remember the Ten Commandments? Like it happens today, the short list didn’t work, so people in power created many more rules that no one followed, not even the leaders. Why not? Why don’t rules work?

                   Paul observes, the important values of God can’t be created with rules. Jesus explained, “It’s from your very core; your heart, that you desire evil ways and hate others. (Matthew 15:19)” Jesus restored your ability to relate to God through the Holy Spirit living in you. With your heart focused on Christ in you, you can live the life that Paul describes.

                   Understand that living God’s values is an issue of the heart. Frame these values as promises from Him and from you - because of His love – not as rules.

DECEMBER 7 – CONSISTENT FAITHFULNESS

You are true to your word; faithful from the beginning to the end of all time. Just as you created the earth, and it remains through time. (Psalm 119:90)

                   Do you realize that your best efforts are certain to fall short of perfect? Part of the human condition is inconsistency. Inconsistent behavior makes it a certainty that men and women cannot be and do everything they wish to do perfectly. So, how do you be that person who has the integrity to consistently be and do what you should – faithfully; every time?

                   The psalmist repeatedly observed evidence of God’s consistent faithfulness, both in relationship to him personally, and in the world at large. But, as life’s experience proves, he surely found that it was impossible to emulate that character. Jesus revealed the problem (John 15:4-5). Paul explained God’s answer for that problem, as he said, “Although I can’t do the right things I wish to do on my own (Romans 7:19-24), Jesus lives in me (Galatians 2:20), and that life that Jesus lives in and through me gives me the ability to accomplish God’s purposes (Colossians 1:27).”

                   Don’t do your best. Don’t settle for that. Hold out (wait) for Jesus to live in and through your life as your hope for consistency and faithfulness to God’s will.

DECEMBER 2 – WHY UNUSUAL JOY?

Think of it as joy; be glad brothers, when you find yourself in very tough situations. You can be sure that this test of your faith will build your ability to patiently endure. These trials work to bring you to maturity, sound and complete in every way. So, keep going until God brings you to completion. (James 1:2-4)

                   It is very important for you to have a strong command of the values framework that God is giving you. Words, especially words that describe values, are often viewed differently – sometimes with great emotion attached - by different people. People often define words differently too. So, it is very important that you clearly state, define, and live your values without the confusion of mixed messages.

                   James’ value of being joyful in tough situations is not one most people would choose these days. Some psychologists say everything people do is motivated by a desire to avoid such pain. See how James painted the picture for his reader to help them understand his ‘Why?’ The ‘why?’ is very important when you are arguing for a value that goes against another person’s perceptions.

                   Consider your values and their definition in view of how they will be received by your people. Recognize that your actions and policy can be an important part of defining them. And, don’t forget to tell your people the ‘why?’ of your values

DECEMBER 1 – VALUES FORM A FRAMEWORK

8-9Love does not ever fall short. Other important things may not always be part of the work. God may not give you a prophetic word. Your gift of tongues may be restrained. Your knowledge may not be enough. Because, what we know today, and what we understand about tomorrow are incomplete…13In summary, the big three: faith, hope, and love; but the biggest is love. (1Corinthians 13:8-9,13)

                   What are values? Most people understand that values are principles that define morality and serve to encourage ethical behavior. You hold many values – but some values you ‘value’ more than others. As a follower of Christ, you have a few concepts that form your framework for understanding your relationship with Him. These values, whether you have paused to identify them or not, have been given to you to help you grow in your relationship with God.

                   Paul had three parts to his framework. Throughout his writings he defined faith, hope, and love for his people with both his words and his actions. For much of this understanding, the Holy Spirit awakened in him the Scripture he had studied all his life. It seemed to fit best into these three values as he had come to define them.

                   Pray today that the Lord will speak to you, and that He will give you clarity as to the values that are most important to you and your people. Ask the Lord to help you articulate and define this framework for you and your people.

NOVEMBER 29 – WHO IS IN CONTROL?

Then, His people came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest position in your kingdom?” Jesus called a little child to stand before them and He said, “Listen, unless you change your perspective; see yourself as the immature children you are, you’ll never even see the kingdom. The one who humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4)

                   Many of your people today have no connection to a cultural values framework. Your choice is to either establish detailed rules, or else to establish and define shared values for your community. If that community is going to encourage an environment of trust, fairness, and consistency, as perceived by your people, your group needs the right values. How do you create that list? How do you know which values are most important, and how to clearly communicate these mutual promises to your people?

                   In this story, the disciples were really asking Jesus, “We want to earn our way to the top of your kingdom.” How surprised they must have been to hear Jesus say they must start with humility! And, He used a child as His object lesson. Children look to adults for direction, and they trust what they are told. They assume the parent knows best. That is what Jesus wants for you, both personally, and as you lead others.

                   True discernment, the kind that leads to a change in culture and health, comes only from God. Let Him have control of your decisions and your every action.

NOVEMBER 27 – THE METRICS OF COMMUNITY

And the Lord, God said, “I am the One who has rescued you. You will have no other gods to rival Me. Nor will you worship anything in the sky, on land, or sea… Don’t misuse my name… Remember I created the Sabbath day – observe it… Honor your parents… Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie about another person. And don’t wish for what other people have.” (Exodus 20:1-17, abbreviated)

                   Do you know what is important to you? Can you tell someone what matters from your perspective? To be a thoughtful person with integrity, you must identify what attributes you value. Certainly, if you will lead your people well, you must communicate and define these values. Without that explanation, there is no fair measure for your evaluation of their conduct. And, experience teaches that what the leader says and does is what the followers will do.

                   God clearly explained to the Israelites these values. This law; the ten commandments, became the standard for their conduct. Jesus communicated these truths and other truth about God and His Kingdom using statements of values, and through His own actions. In the absence of good consistent communication about your expectations, there can be no accountability in your group. With clearly defined values, fair evaluation can be a reality.

                   Give your people understanding of the values that the Lord gives you to communicate. Lead them to prosperity as you measure each other by these standards each day.

NOVEMBER 21 – DECEIT NEEDS OPPORTUNITY

The reason I wrote was to see if you are found to be trustworthy and are obeying all God requires of you. (2Corinthians 2:9)

                   A strong relationship of trust is not about benefitting and then abandoning the person while wishing them the best. Extending trust genuinely requires valuing a person enough to love them into a mutually accountable relationship. That investment of your time and energy to provide or plan for feedback and help to navigate uncertain, new paths is often the costliest action you can take. Will you pay that cost?

                   Paul knows that you can trust a person too much; so much that they will be harmed by your refusal to continue accepting the responsibility for your people’s welfare. The Corinthian people were part of Paul’s responsibility, and he continued to monitor and encourage them regularly. With constant temptation, and the cares of everyday life, your people need for you to love them enough to stay involved in their lives. As you grant them authority, they do become responsible for their part, but you continue to bear responsibility for obeying God’s command to love them. In the absence of accountability, your people will often deceive themselves as they are left to measure their own actions.

                   Love your people enough to help them avoid this deception. Give them the accountability they need to continue pursuing God’s vision for their lives.

NOVEMBER 17 – MIXED SIGNALS

Do not look for support from a friend, nor place your trust in a companion. Careful even with one who sleeps in your arms. Even the son dishonors his father, and a daughter opposes her mother. (Micah 7:5-6)

                   Have you ever been betrayed? Have you been victimized by fraud? Have people you held in esteem ever shaped “facts” to influence or persuade you to agree with or to benefit themselves? If you have graduated from kindergarten, your answer is probably yes.

                   Micah concludes his prophetic word from the Lord with a few observations. His verdict on Israel was not flattering. He concluded that none of those people were trustworthy. So, you shouldn’t be surprised that you find those around you to be the same. People will let you down. There are frauds all around. In this world, you will even see that you can’t trust yourself! Fortunately, Micah’s conclusion brings hope for people as well. God can be trusted, and He is compassionate to His people.

                   Recognize that God alone is trustworthy. All others will ultimately fail to be a faithful friend to you at times. God should be at the top of your list of valued relationships. God alone is the person who will always bring value to your life.

NOVEMBER 11 – GOD’S SIGNS TRANSFORM

After living through this amazing experience, they began to tell others about God’s great message concerning the child. Each person who heard was astonished. They all wondered about what all this meant to them. (Luke 2: 17-18)

                   God’s work is to communicate through signs and to provide for His people. Paul says you are what God makes; His work (Ephesians 2:10). So then, you are a sign, and a provision for God’s people. As you are affected, it is to affect others. As the anointed one, Jesus was created and gave His life for you. As God makes you with His transforming power, you – being transformed – will become an agent of His transforming work. As He has given you signs and experiences leading to that change, you will be made to be a sign for others. Your life will communicate God’s truth to your people.

                   Scripture tells that the shepherds went away from Bethlehem changed; prepared to work with, and to be the work of, God. And you see that, as a result, other people were changed too. They were astonished. They wondered. They understood this was not just a fabulous story told by deranged shepherds. Armed with God’s truth, their passionate communication led to transformation.

                   That is God’s plan for you as well. Your action, upon God’s call to you, prepares you to be a part of His work in others through your continued obedience to Him. You are His sign. You are His mission.

NOVEMBER 7 – WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Today, in David’s hometown a deliverer has been born to you. This is the anointed one; the Christ! And this is the sign that will tell you it is Him. This baby will be wrapped in layers of fabric, and He will be laying in a feeding trough. (Luke 2:11-12)

                   Have you ever looked for signs in Scripture? One of the greatest God-signs in all of history is found in the story of Jesus’ birth. To bear significance, a sign must have meaning. Just as words must be defined for you to understand language, signs must also be defined if they are going to communicate a message.

                   Many would say that having an angel announce the birth of the anointed one would, alone, be enough to give meaning to the sign he explained. But, as is often the case with God’s signs, there was yet another layer of meaning. The shepherds no doubt would be very familiar with the practice of wrapping the first-born lamb with cloths and laying it in a manger, so it would not harm itself or become blemished. Hearing the angel’s words, while imagining the perfect sin sacrifice gave them greater understanding of God’s communication, and greater significance to this great event.

                   Scripture is filled with such definitions, giving you insight into events of your world. Read, and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit as God defines His signs for you.

NOVEMBER 3 – JESUS KNEW THE KEY - SIGNS

Say to those who cower in fear, “Don’t be afraid! Your God is coming! He is just, and He is coming to save you. Then, you’ll see the signs – blind will see, deaf will hear, those who can’t walk will leap, and the mute will speak God’s praises. Living water is coming to your wilderness; life to the desert!” (Isaiah 35:4)

                   God’s presence in this world, and His work of restoration and healing are signs He uses to communicate. He has chosen to use prophets to explain how people can see God in His actions. Those who look for God will have these signs that serve to encourage them and to affirm their hope in His love and provision. Through Isaiah, the Lord, God, gave Israel the meaning that makes the signs related to Jesus communicate clearly. God’s desire is for them to see Him present and working as Jesus healed and brought new life.

                   Do you know God’s signs? Do you look for them, so they can be affirmation for the work you pursue each day? Do these signs provide the map that guides your work? and your evaluation of its progress? Are the people with whom you work really the most important part of that work? If you are genuinely pursuing a God-given vision, people must be your focus. God’s signs; your work, have one purpose – to be living water to people in a desert.

                   Work for transformation today. Find what God is doing to change peoples lives around you, and then take your part in that work.

OCTOBER 29 - RULE PROBLEMS – CONSENSUS?

So, the Lord said, “This people, they speak honor with their mouths and call to Me with the words of their lips. But, their hearts are far from Me. That’s not worship. It’s just following human rules. (Isaiah 29:13)

                   Another challenge of presenting the vision and values God would have you and your people embody, is truly gaining consensus among your people. Your position of relative power will dictate that most of your people will say that they are with you. They may recite the vision and list the values, but if they haven’t applied these to their lives, you have been forcing lip service rather than leading them well. Using power to force fake agreement leads to hypocrisy. Leading others to real consensus around God-given vision and values leads to the formation of a community of people who can be unified.

                   Through Isaiah, God expressed His frustration with His people who didn’t understand this. Jesus also challenged the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-14). He berated them for failing to understand and live by God’s true intent, and for leading others to follow confusing rules instead of God’s purposes. Leaders who fail to stay close to God’s intent will often try to reduce God to mere rules.

                   To pursue God’s purpose honestly, and to invest in helping others to relate to Him, is God’s model for your service to your people. That work will produce real consensus, and to a culture marked by God’s prosperity.

OCTOBER 27–RULE PROBLEM-FAKE OPENNESS

(After the interaction with the Pharisees) as thousands had gathered around them, Jesus first told His disciples, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. It is deceit!” (Luke 12:1)

                   The Pharisees loved rules and regulations. Much of their power was exerted through the imposition, interpretation, and enforcement of Jewish law. They were masters at using law to exclude and manipulate, but Jesus had just challenged them for another cause. In fact, He told the Pharisees they were headed for judgment and doom (Luke 11:42-52). They were dishonest, and they lacked integrity as they applied the law, and their actions ignored the truth behind those laws. Apparently, this fake behavior is judged very harshly by God (vv. 50-51).

                   How about you? Do you ever engage in spinning a situation to present a customer or employee proposal in a more favorable light? Do you ever leave out important details or circumstances that would qualify for exceptions to rules or policies when those disclosures may change the hearer’s perception? Would you ever provide a thick document to someone under the guise of being transparent, when that document serves to hide negative parts?

                   Trust Jesus to lead you to decisions which are good decisions, and then be honest with people. There can be no trust unless there is open and honest communication in dealing with your people.           

OCTOBER 15 – MODELING TEACHES MOST

In every action, see an opportunity to show a model of good works, so your teaching will have integrity and be taken seriously. Let your words always be carefully chosen, so opponents will be silenced in their attempts to harm you. (Titus 2:7-8)

                   Do you realize that you are always teaching; every moment? Those who follow you; especially those who admire, respect, and aspire to be like you are looking constantly at what you do. If your actions and your words disagree they will be confused at best, and they may become frustrated or feel betrayed. Those who oppose you or your vision will also be watching. They will miss no opportunity to point out disparities.

                   Paul cautions his student Titus, first telling him that his attempts to mentor and teach others will be harmed if he does not have the integrity to live his values. That lack of consistency will be called hypocrisy; a label that no one wants to hear applied to themselves. Hypocrites are treated with contempt, and they are compared with the worst and least honest of a group. That is why Paul added special advice that Titus must especially guard his words. “Don’t say you will if you won’t, and don’t tell me not to do what you are doing – nor what you are allowing others to do.”

                   Be true to your rules. Live out your values, so that everything you do will help and teach your people.

OCTOBER 14 – PRACTICING TEACHES

And the Lord, God says, “These people have learned the right words to say, but their hearts; their wills, are far from me. What they call worship is just repeating words men have given them to say. They are mere lip service. (Isaiah 29:13)

                   Do you create training opportunities that move the values you teach into the real world? Do you mentor others in a way that coaches your people to consider how the values can and should inform their decisions and actions? Do you celebrate when you see good values-based work, emphasizing the importance of those values to the long-term success of individuals and the whole community?

                   When Jesus commissioned twelve of His followers to work in various communities during His time here (Luke 9:1-6), He showed His expectation for followers. Worship is doing what God desires rather than, as Isaiah says, simply repeating God’s words. Words inform. Practicing teaches. Talking about Christ is helpful. Putting on Christ by doing the work He gives you will teach you, and others, about His love in ways that will lead them to Him. This practice will also bring you closer to the reality of living fully in relationship with Jesus.

                   Lead your people to practice the values in every possible application. Immerse them in the work.