DECEMBER 27– A MUST- ACCOUNTABILITY

Then the followers whom Jesus had sent out returned, and reported back to Him all the work they had done… (Luke 9:10)

                   Good leaders don’t hover after they have given authority to one of their people, but they do hold those people accountable. Do you follow up with your people? Do they expect that they will have to discuss whether they have done what you asked in the way that you asked them to do the work? Do they understand that there will be consequences if they do not faithfully follow the plan they are given to pursue?

                   Jesus continues His development of His people by listening to their analysis of their work. From that report, he knows much about where they are both in understanding what matters, and much about their capacity and willingness to do the work. Such discussions can be challenging; even contentious, but by beginning with the other person’s perspective you are in a much better position to talk about issues. Often, uninformed leaders can cause a person to feel they are being attacked personally rather than being developed.

                   Establish accountability to the vision and values you have been given. Do it well. Do it kindly. Do it with love. But, you must do it.

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 19 – COMMUNITY COMES FROM YOU

At all times, we carry around in our bodies the same, intentional putting to death of us that Jesus suffered, so that His life will show through our lives. We who are alive are constantly surrendering these earthly bodies to a daily death for Jesus – so that others can see His life in these bodies. In other words, we die so you can live. (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)

                   Have you ever seriously considered the practical implications of this explanation? If you had no hesitation to tell the truth about cost and sacrifice before considering this, you may re-think your approach, huh? What a warm invitation this is to life in Christ.

                   Paul explains, the success that you see; the changed lives around you, will come at your own expense. Denying yourself in this daily death of what you want is the way that your people will come to see, experience, and to embrace Jesus themselves. If you want to see God build a community of faith from the people whom God sends your way, the mortar that holds you and those folks together will be the cost you pay to be obedient to the Holy Spirit; to use your life the way God wants rather than to hold onto it for selfish purposes. As you give your life to Christ, and He lives in you, others will be able to see only Him. That is when change happens.

                   Be the source of change for your community of people. Show them from the beginning how to live in faith.

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.

OCTOBER 19 – MADE IN HIS IMAGE

…after our likeness… (Genesis 1:26)

So (since Jesus has left us with this work of reconciling His people to Himself), we are to put on Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)

                   What does it mean to be made in God’s image… after His likeness? How in the world can you “put on Christ” as Paul suggests? Is this figurative – surely it could not be a literal instruction. The Hebrew words used describe both masculine and feminine, and they speak of a representative model that resembles an original. Possibly to say, “to be God’s representative presence in the world,” is a good way to blend these two passages. 

                   Paul says here, “He has placed in/on us the word of restoration to favor.” In his letter to the Romans (13:14), he uses the imagery of “clothing yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” This work of representation is extensive, from both perspectives. Not only does God call on you to bear His image in every act he calls you to do, and every word you say, but there is more. You are also called to remind the men and women of His world that it belongs to Him – both to help them know their true value, and to remind them constantly of His love and desire for relationship with them.

                   Take the work of clothing yourself in Christ Jesus seriously. Recognize and live into the reality that God created you to bear His image.

OCTOBER 16 – SENDING IS PART OF TEACHING

(It is my role to send you) so, go, replicate yourselves as followers of me among all people, then baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do all I’ve taught you, and I’ll be with you until the work is completed. (Matthew 28:19-20)

                   Do you understand that part of your role; and part of the reason you have been given the authority God has given you, is to send your people out? Part of the work is to teach them to live in community, and to embrace the vision and values that the Lord has given you. But completing replication – their transformation – will mean that they too must relate to God directly. Each of them must find and pursue the unique vision Jesus has for them.

                   Jesus explained that He had been given the authority to send them. He says directly, “You are to go.” There was a three-fold, consistent message here. First – replicate – go and make them like you in that they will follow Me. Then, walk with them so you can teach them all I taught you. Finally, stay with them; be there for them to mentor them in how to trust in Me, knowing I will also always be there.

                   Sending is an important part of teaching. Kind of like a mid-term exam, sending causes you as a student-follower and leader to put all of what you are learning into action.