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.

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 18 – YOUR PRODUCT IS PEOPLE

The Lord, God said, “Let us make men and women…” (Genesis 1:26)

                   In the Genesis 1 account of God’s creation, we learn that He spoke light into existence, He made things, He set things in place and into motion. Further, God allowed things to happen. He blessed, and He saw that the things He created were good. In this verse, the Lord God said, “Let us make men and women.” John begins his story (John 1:1-4) by explaining that Jesus was present and creating all that was made. The Holy Spirit too was there (Genesis 1:2). God used the singular as His Spirit hovered over the waters. What then, is the significance of a sudden change to “us” when He created men and women?

                   As God is omniscient, he knew, and He must have thought about the great role that he would allow you to have in the birth/creation of men and women – both physically and in their spiritual re-birth. From this – the very beginning – the Creator God knew you would have a part in making men and women. Do you understand? Whatever you make or sell or build, repair or manage – from God’s perspective - your product is people!!! Your work, as Jesus commissions you (Matthew 28:19-20), is to be God’s mission in His world to redeem His people and restore them to relationship with Himself.

                   Your product is people. Focus on that work. Never settle for less than God’s missions for you.

OCTOBER 13 – TEACH THE NON-NEGOTIABLES

My fellow believers, I’m not saying I’m there, but I can say I do this; I’ve forgotten all the past. I’m pushing forward. I’m going for a goal! I want to do that thing; live the life God has called me to through the power of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:13-14)

                   Do you clearly articulate where you are headed? What are the bottom-line, non-negotiable values that you have determined to be critical to your people? In a world that encourages people to define their own, individual choices for good and bad, your people will never become united toward the vision if you haven’t defined and taught these values. Your shared values will shape and define the culture of your community.

                   Paul, who invested time living among his people in their communities and teaching them the important values that Christ taught, continues to reiterate the messages in his letters. Not only did he speak directly, but he also said, “Pray for me. Pray that I will be able to say what I should say clearly (Colossians 4:4).” Even in his time, there were people who pursued competing goals. Paul knew, without clear presentation, there could be no common effort. That’s why the values are so important.

                   Teach your people the values that you know should be non-negotiables for yourself and for them, so you can lead them to life in Christ.

SEPTEMBER 25 – CAST THE PLAY

If the house is big enough, there will be containers that are made of gold and silver, but some will be made of wood and clay, and some to work that brings great good, and some shame. If a person will stay away from such dishonor, he or she can be used for good purpose, set aside for profitable work for the Lord; remembering He prepared the work.      (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

                   Have you ever considered your work to be like that of a casting director; one who finds the appropriate role for each “actor” in your community? As you lead your people, God will help you to see each individual with His discernment. But, to do this, you must insure that each person has a relationship with you or one of your leaders who can relate to God in that discernment. Are your people being led by someone with a gold standard? If not, are you moving toward that reality each day?

                   Paul explains to Timothy the importance of carefully considering the nature and character of each person around him. He encourages Timothy to go for the gold, and further explains that he must understand that each person must strive for a right relationship with God if he or she will be used for God’s purposes in His ongoing story.

                   Prayerfully consider your people’s actions. Encourage each one to pursue the things of God so they too may be part of God’s “play.” Help those who struggle with the things that lead to shame and dishonor to overcome those things.

SEPTEMBER 17–FOLLOW–FIND YOUR PARTNERS

Is any one of you sick? If so, call the elders to have them anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord, God, and then pray over you together. Faithful, believing prayers will heal the sick; the Lord will heal. If they have sinned He will forgive. So, confess to each other and then pray for each other, so you all may be healed. The prayers of one who lives in close relationship with God are strong medicine. (James 5:14-16)   

                   The author of James paints a colorful picture of a community of faith that depends not only upon the Lord, but upon each other as they relate to God together in community. Sharing in the burdens of sin and its effects on the fragile, valuable lives of brothers and sisters in Christ is God’s expectation for His children. The pride that will tempt you to feel that you must be a perfect role model, free from temptation and error, is not from God. While you may not confess every stray thought to everyone of your people, you need strong, faithful partners for accountability and help.

                Who are your partners in the work? Are you looking for those God will lead your way to help in the work? The Lord will lead you to the community of confession and prayer and healing He has prepared for you if you will ask Him to do so.

                   Look for your partners as you follow Jesus each day.

SEPTEMBER 10–DETAILS...COUNT THE TOUCHES

Put my words in your hearts. Repeat them to your people diligently; whether at home, traveling, and even when sleeping or rising. Have them always at hand, and always on your minds. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

                   Your vision; the work that the Lord God has given you to do, is the priority for you and your people. Do you repeat it frequently to them? Is it on their minds when they wake up? Do they go to sleep at night thinking about the values you have communicated to them frequently and urgently? When they make decisions at their work each day, are these concepts etched in their hearts?

                   Moses knew the value of repetition. He urged the Israelites to treasure, value, teach, and even obsess about God’s word for them. He knew that these were the words of life. Moses knew that God’s people must follow, in every detail – as their top priority, the word of the Lord God. The same is true today for your people; if they are to be successful, they must follow the Lord’s will for their lives. Repetition, constant and consistent, will help them remember to consider the vision and the values you have received from the Lord, and have communicated to them.

                   Touch them often with God’s words. Saturate them in the story of his work in your life, and His desire to work in their lives.

AUGUST 29 – PEOPLE AREN’T PROBLEMS ….

Look to God – obey Him so you can stand and fight the battles of life. This is war against the spiritual powers of evil and darkness, because we fight them, not against other men and women. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

                   One of the consistent themes of Paul’s letter to the people in the church at Ephesus is unity. He covers many of the familiar relationships of life, explaining on each occasion how God’s will and God’s work through time have been to bring His people; those He created, together in their proper relationship of love with Him and each other – through Christ’s sacrifice. Here, he is explicit, “You are not to engage in battles with each other as if you are enemies.” Rather, Paul explains you must fight the powers of the spiritual world who oppose men and women.

                   Do you look at your people who are struggling and see an enemy? Do you see them as a problem to either be fixed – or even eliminated? If so, you’re not seeing them through eyes of faith in Christ. He loves that person. He died for that person. How can you then throw him or her away; see them as disposable?

                   People aren’t problems to be overcome. They are valuable creations; made in the image of God. See their humanity and help them battle the real enemies of life.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

JULY 1 – UNIFYING AUTHORITY

And I have other sheep who are not part of your group. They must come to me as well. They will hear my voice, and follow too, and there will be a great, unified flock of people; united in Me as the Shepherd. (John 10:16)

                   Do you use your authority and influence to distinguish yourself from other people? Do thoughts of status control, and wealth factor in to your decisions? Much of what happens in the world is the result of people trying to divide others into groups, so they may gain a selfish advantage. These people are always looking for a way to move ahead. Does that desire surface in your life?

                   Jesus made clear that all His authority would be used to unify. His life and death were intended to allow men and women to have relationship with God again. His plan for you and your future is a work of bringing other people to the “great, unified flock.” His identity is to be one with the Father, always listening for His will. He wants you, and others you influence to be brought together through this love, not divided and conquered.

                   Recognize today that Jesus’ authority expressed through your life will lead others to selfless unity. Let this truth consume and guide your thoughts and control your actions.

JUNE 28 – GIVEN GOOD POWER

The Lord our God determined the number of stars, and He calls each one by name. He is great – having all power and all understanding. The Lord, Jehovah, helps those who are humble and need Him, and presses the wicked in the ground. (Psalm 147:4-6)

                   Many people accept that power is a bad thing; that too much power will corrupt the powerful. Another common idea is that, to achieve power, you must take it away from another person. Is this your view? Do you play the world’s power games? Do you see a world where there is a limited opportunity to succeed; where only a very few can prosper, so that you must compete with everyone else?

                   The Psalmist saw the world very differently from that world-view. From his perspective, all the power belongs to God. It is not a limited, precious asset to be fought for and selfishly hoarded. Rather, in the Kingdom of God, power is generously shared. It is to be used for good; to help those in need and to overcome those who are selfishly oppressive.

                   Consider how you view power, strength, and knowledge, and how this view affects your actions. Use the power you have been given to help others rather than to achieve more power.

JUNE 4 – A NEW THING

So, if someone is to have a part in Jesus Christ, he must become a new creation. The old ways; the old parts – they all die. Listen – everything will be made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

                   Old stuff is sticky. Habits, speech, attitudes – everything about a person (and the groups of people who spend time together with them) makes that person or group become who they are. These actions frame the character of the people, and they define the culture of the community around them. To change and re-orient character and culture requires new habits, new ways, and new attitudes. What are you doing to introduce the birth of the new to your people?

                   Paul is saying to these people, and to you, this is not a simple, easy evolution God requires. There are parts of you, and each of your people that must die. Everything that goes forward will be new. That means change – both large -scale and small. Some people and some relationships won’t survive those deaths and become part of your peoples’ new life together. There will be cost where there is truly a change to a new thing. All of this change will take courage.

                   Ask the Lord to show you the things that must die. Ask Him to give you courage to replace all the old things that must die with His new things.