DECEMBER 31–YOU MUST CELEBRATE

17-18The seventy-two followers came back – elated, saying, “Master – even the devils obeyed us at the sound of your name.” Jesus said, “I saw the adversary tumble down like lightning from the sky… 20But don’t celebrate that you defeated the demons. Rather, celebrate that the Lord, God makes that victory possible!”(Luke 10:17-20)

                   Do you celebrate? It takes time and costs resources to celebrate. Why would you spend money needlessly to throw a party? Isn’t the satisfaction of experiencing the victory enough? You will celebrate. In whatever way you feel is appropriate, you will take a personal victory lap. The real question is, will you allow your people to join you?

                   Jesus let His people celebrate. He was never in too big of a hurry to focus on them, and what was going on in their lives. This passage likely is a shortened version of a much longer discussion, but Luke does include that Jesus joined in, echoing His peoples’ excitement (vv.18 & 19). Then, He did what every great leader should do. He reminded them it was God’s work that they had done, and that God gave them everything they used to succeed. Jesus pointed all the celebration toward God. They celebrated Him rather than what they had done.

                   Be the leader who sees value in celebration. Show the world that God has worked in and through you and your people each time He does something great.

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 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 25 – YOU MUST PERSEVERE

(Satan said,) “I will give all of it (everything the world has to give) to you, if you submit to me; spend your life following my way.” Jesus said, “That’s enough – get out of here. God’s word is this – ‘Worship the Lord, Your God, and serve Him only.’” (Matthew 4:9-10)

                   How many times have you thought, “Just this once?” Often, when you are tired, or distracted, or facing unusually harsh opposition, Satan will show you what appears to be an easy way out – a shortcut solution. “If you ignore your values; just for a moment, it will go so much better – so much more quickly – so much less pain and cost…” If ever you have chosen this easy way, you know the human cost – to yourself and to others.

                   Jesus must have been tired, and probably weakened by His time praying and fasting. As He came to receive and understand more of the work that lay ahead of Him it must have seemed very intimidating, even to Jesus. Rejection, animosity, pain, loss, and constant opposition lay ahead. But, Jesus persevered. He kept the bigger picture in mind. He remembered that only God’s way would lead to the end He wanted. He remembered that Satan’s shortcuts lead only to death, misery, and destruction.

                   You will be opposed if you pursue God’s vision for your life. When you are opposed, remember God’s words to you immediately. Continue to pursue His vision for your life and work. Persevere, as Jesus did, Him helping you, as you hold to the values and lead your people forward.

DECEMBER 13 – FIND YOUR PLACE

After this (Challenging His followers to find those who were willing to pay the costs of following Him), He named seventy-two people, and sent them out in pairs, each to a place He planned to go. He sent them, saying, “There is a great harvest ready, but so few to work. Pray the Master will produce workers from and for that work. You’ll be like little sheep in a wolfpack. Don’t try to prepare, and don’t get side-tracked. Just go where I send you and say, “I bring God’s prosperity to this place.” (Luke 10:1-5)

                   Can you still follow directions? Sometimes, as people grow older and gain experience, their way becomes fixed. Sometimes, they even begin to think they are too far along to change, so any instruction requiring change may be dismissed as unreasonable and therefore, wrong.

                   Jesus didn’t ask these seventy-two followers to tell Him where they should go nor what they should do, nor how they should do it. He told them, in some detail, about every aspect of the work that was important to accomplish His objective for the work that would be done. He knew what each person needed in their own life, and what those whom they would meet needed as well. You don’t know either of those answers. Your job description still reads, “follow Jesus” even when you lead others.

                   Be sure that today, and every day, you find your place in the work by listening for the Lord’s voice.

DECEMBER 11 – FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

There are different jobs and different ways of working, but it is all God’s work through men and women. Through His Holy Spirit, He gives to each person the understanding needed for their work and their people. (1Corinthians 12:6-7)

                   When you think of Paul’s promise in Philippians 4:19, “My God will make sure you have all you need…” do you think about wisdom, understanding, perspective, and other measures of competence to do your work? “All” means “all,” correct? Was Paul reassuring his friends that God would make sure the funds they sent him would be replenished, or was he showing them that God had brought them to understand, empathize, and experience the joy of partnership with him in his struggles? Maybe it was both!

                   In this passage, Paul clearly thinks of God’s provision broadly. Here, he speaks directly of provision that is given in order that the work can be completed. This is a powerful message to you. With the assurance that you will not run short of what you need to complete the work God wants you to do, your focus can be on the work, and upon the people who need the work to be done. Most human fear is rooted in worries that his promise eliminates.

                   Live confidently, focusing on the vision and values God has given you. Help others to see that He consistently provides for the work he commissions.

DECEMBER 6 – GOODNESS

And Jesus said, “Why do you say that I am good? No one; nothing except for the Lord, God is good (excellent, virtuous, principled…).” (Mark 10:18)

                   What is your standard for excellence in attitude, thought, and behavior? Do you have a list? Have you worked hard to assemble a self-created code of laws to govern your own conduct and that of your people? If so, you are settling for something that is less than ideal.

                   Jesus is here answering the question, “What must I do to become an heir to the life God offers?” This statement is Jesus’ summary of that answer. He continued with a reference to God’s law and challenged His questioner. Finally, Jesus observed the hopeless condition of a person who thinks he or she can find real life, meaning, and purpose – either here on earth, or eternally – apart from relationship with the living, virtuous God who truly is good. The Lord, God has values. He has a framework designed specifically for your life, and for the life of each of your people. Your list of rules is not adequate to govern you, much less will those rules be enough for the unique, diverse people you will lead. Your words and actions must encourage them to find relationship with Jesus if you are to help them prosper.

                   Don’t settle for human goodness. Put all your hope in the Lord’s complete goodness.

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 30 – POSITIVE MEASURES

Finally - my family - let transparency, integrity, innocent holiness, purity, gratitude, and kindness consume your thoughts and inform your hearts. Project your desire to be an excellent servant. (Philippians 4:8)

                   Paul was given vision by God. He saw a future where many people would decide to follow Jesus. His words before and after this passage (vv. 4-9) describe these followers living life on God’s terms. Moreover, Paul was able to tell these people, his people in Philippi, to emulate his actions, and to do the things he had encouraged them to do because he had consistently pursued that vision. Note that all these admonitions are stated in positive terms.

                   Do you focus your efforts on pursuing the vision God has given you? Do you lead your people in a positive way toward pursuing that vision in unity together? This is not to suggest that you should ignore difficult or negative circumstances. However, your focus should be primarily on the positive ends that you pursue. Paul said elsewhere in this letter, “I am pursuing the goal so that I can accomplish what God has called me to do in Christ Jesus.”

                   Pursue the goal (vision) God has called you to accomplish. Point your people toward that goal with positive encouragement.

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 24 – A COMMUNITY OF LEADERS

(Those who rejected Jesus failed yet again) But you – believers – followers – God picked you! You are Priests. As His own, favorite people, you can be Holy – part of His royal family. Show other people the way to this Jesus; the Christ who rescued you from a meaningless existence to give you His magnificent purposes. (1 Peter 2:9)

                   Is your group a community full of leaders? Are you working toward that end? Would you like to have more of your people growing to love and care about others?

                   Peter was serious about rocks. Maybe it was because Rock (Cephas) was the name Jesus gave to him as a replacement for Simon (God has heard) when Simon first identified Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:16). In a way, this was Jesus explaining to His followers the truth that Peter tells others here. Jesus is that rock on which prosperous lives must be based. When you are adopted into His Holy family, you begin to follow Him. As you grow in that relationship, you inherit His purpose of providing others help in restoring their relationship with God and with each other.

                   Help your people find their identity as a co-rock; a partner in God’s purposes. It will provide meaning in your life and in the lives of those whom you are called to lead.

NOVEMBER 16 – SIGNS: INVITE NOT FORCE

For this reason (because Jesus has given us the work of bringing others to Him), we are His representatives. It’s like God Himself is inviting people through us as His way to communicate with them. So, we invite you, even beg earnestly and humbly that you, on Christ’s behalf. Please, please choose God. Let Him transform you! (2 Corinthians 5:20)

                   Do you ever rush about, trying to do the things that will accomplish God’s work of saving people? Do you think and plan and try to figure out what is the best way to reach them in a way they will respond? If so, where is your attention? Is it on your creativity and wits, or do you look for the things other people are doing? Or, are you paying attention to God, looking for Him to give you the plan, and waiting for Him to show you the person you are to invite?

                   Listen to Paul as he explains to the people at Corinth. He says it so well. “God is inviting people through us.” This much is clear, God is choosing the time, place, person, and the means of contact and invitation. It is as if Paul is saying, “all we have to do is deliver the invitation to you.” He does this as well as he can, with passion and love, but he does only what God leads him to do. He knows anything else would be to try and force God’s hand.

                   Trust that God loves you enough to include you. Believe that he will give you meaningful work. Wait expectantly for Jesus to show you whom to invite.

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 8 - TAKEN IN CONTEXT

Suddenly, surrounding the messenger, the sky filled with angels. All of them at once were praising God, announcing to the world, “Glory to God who reigns on high! He sends peace and prosperity to mankind; showing His great kindness and favor. (Luke 2: 13-14)

                   Signs don’t occur in a vacuum. Where and when a sign is given is part of the communication too. That is a reasonable, intuitive conclusion you may draw very quickly. But, how (how many times, how much, how loud, how…) is also a part of the context. God very often chose to communicate definition for the same signs to multiple people, multiple times, in striking and spectacular ways. Talking animals, pillars of salt, rising flood waters, and such gave added significance to God’s signs.

                   Only once in recorded history has the sky been “filled” with angels, all loudly proclaiming their praise to God, and announcing the birth of a special child. Possibly the shepherds may have questioned if the single angel were maybe a figment of their tired minds at the end of a challenging day. Thousands of angels in a dark sky, singing a deafening chorus would be very hard to dismiss.

                   Pray for the Lord to give you understanding of the time, the place, and the how of His messages to you.

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 5 – EXPERTS OR GOD?

But you, Daniel – keep all this secret – let the book be closed tightly until the time that will come after. Then, many will travel the earth and knowledge will become great. (Daniel 12:4)

                   Do you believe that you are living in the time about which Daniel speaks here? Jesus encouraged alertness (Matthew 24:44 and 25:13). Paul spoke often of anxiously waiting for Christ’s return (Titus 2:13). Certainly, since Jesus ascended, the story of mankind has been marked by people traveling more each year, and by human knowledge increasing day-by-day. These are those “times that will come after;” the time near the end of this age.

                   Daniel’s words bear further implications for today. Later in this discussion, Daniel is told that those who have been made clean; God’s people, will understand His signs. They will know what to do, while those who reject God will continue in ignorance. To lead your people effectively, it is God’s signs; His word, that you need. The words of others, who don’t follow your God, even if filled with sound, scientific observation, lack the significance and wisdom of the Lord’s simple, timeless truths.

                   Don’t be distracted by the experts of the world. Don’t concentrate on what the world says; where experts will tell you to focus. Find your way by watching and listening for the word from God. 

NOVEMBER 4 – (JUST) TALK IS EXPENSIVE

Surely you’re acting! You know how to interpret the signs you see on the earth and in the sky. How is it you can’t see the signs of God around you? Why don’t you do what you know is right? (Luke 12:56)

                   Often people complain of not knowing what the Lord would have them to do. However, after honest, prayerful reflection, many will see that there is much that God has shown them. In many cases, He has made the next step abundantly clear. His word is more often a foot lamp (Psalm 119:105) than a beacon that will show the entire way forward for you. It is God’s intention to be with you moment-by-moment (Isaiah 41:10), revealing His truth for your life as you go (John 14:6).

                   In this passage, Jesus observes that people give their attention to the things that are important to them. He also exposes their hypocrisy; saying it was hard to believe they had professed faith in God, while ignoring all that He wanted them to do. As they talked constantly about God’s law, they oppressed everyone who was excluded from their privilege. They silenced and killed God’s prophets, and they behaved in other ways that ignored the law’s intent.

                   As you see and hear God’s signs, remember that He wants you to act rather than just talk about what He says to do (Jeremiah 7:23).

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 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 7 – ROUTINES ARE CRITICAL

And everything; whatever you do and every word, action, and all your work – do it in the name of the Lord, Jesus. And, in all of it, give thanks to Father God through Jesus who gives us this life. (Colossians 3:17)

                   What are the daily routines of your community? Have you thought about the customary, default activity and reasoning process of your people? Routines are important tools in the formation of a culture. The decisions your people make should be tested against the vision and values you have communicated and defined. Processes to care for people must be part of your routines if your community is to be connected and prospering. Each of your routines should be measured against God’s vision and values for your people.

                   Paul stresses that everything matters to Jesus. He says a lot in this short statement. Everything that you do that you call work and everything you say, are done in Jesus’ name as you live your life in the Spirit. As you move toward that desired reality, you begin to form personal habits of attentiveness to Christ. These are your routines. They are vital to your Spiritual growth. Similarly, as you recognize the patterns, you can establish processes – ways of being and ways of doing things – for your people to follow. These “ways of being and doing” will be vital to the growth of the people in your community.              

   Routines aren’t routine. They are the mark of excellence. They become the way for your people.