DECEMBER 3 – RIVERS OF PEACE

 Aggressively chase after peacemaking with everyone while you seek the personal holiness that enables your relationship with the Lord, God. (Hebrews 12:14)

                  When someone wrongs you, do you understand that the Lord wants you to pursue peace with that person? Do you see that your right-living; your holiness, is closely connected with your relationships with your people? Remember, it is God who has brought these people into your life. There is a purpose. How can you obey His vision for your life if you cannot make peace with the people He gave you to help you in that work?

                  The writer of Hebrews repeats these two challenges – repeatedly (Hebrews 10:23-28, 10:34-38, 13:1-6,13:16). They seem to be a very import part of his values framework. He joins the two values at every opportunity. Could this be one disciple’s effort to wrestle with the words of Jesus when He said, “Love the Lord you God with everything in you – heart, soul, and mind…. And… love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself? (Matthew 22:37,39)” Reading this letter, it also seems he has found a paradox. By peacemaking with others, the writer sees a pathway to right-living and inner peace that he desires for himself. Such insight is available to you if you take the values framework God gives you seriously and ask Him to increase your understanding of His will for you.

                  Find the peace the Lord provides as you grow in relationship with Him.

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.

OCTOBER 28 – RULE PROBLEM – CONTROLS

But I would not have even thought about wanting and desiring so much, had it not been for the law saying, “don’t covet!” But, sin saw an opportunity in that commandment, and brought to my mind lusting after everything I could think about. (Romans7:7-8)

   Some people really like rules and regulations because they can set limits on how much abuse is allowed. Is your response to a rule ever, “How can I get around this?” In some ways, as compared to simple rules being applied with judgment, having a lot of detailed regulation can legitimize bad acts and bad actors if those actions are not too much or too bad. A regulated environment can encourage selective enforcement and punishment by you or by others.

                  As a Pharisee himself, Paul was familiar with all the bad ways to use laws and rules. Certainly, he saw the waste of time and needless oppression of people under a heavy load of rules. But, Paul also saw another aspect of the law. He observed that the sin remaining in his flesh seems to be drawn toward evil simply by knowing what is evil. Presenting the rules against actions, seemed to draw him to those very same prohibited actions as he thought about them.

                  Be cautious as you define your values to give definitions that are positive, and full of promise. Don’t engage in trying to control each detail. Let the Lord lead you to communicate in a clear and hopeful, yet simple and trusting way.

MAY 1 – DON’T LOOK BACK

 Don’t dwell on the past. Wake up! Look! I’m doing a new thing. It’s happening already. Don’t you see? I make you a road through every wilderness. I sustain you in the driest and bleakest places. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

                Are you looking forward? Do you believe the best is yet to come; that God will continue to do even greater things? The good news, that new and better things are ahead, is the message of the Lord through Isaiah.

                The preceding passage reminded listeners of all that God had done to save Israel from their Egyptian slavery. It evoked memories of the parting of the sea, providing for them in the wilderness, and leading them to their new home (vv.16-17). He was telling them to realize that the Lord is always doing amazing things. As a believer, God has done some great things in your life. He has saved you from a life of destruction. He has used you in His work. You have seen faith in Jesus Christ change the lives of people around you. Maybe He has even transformed the place where you work into a community of believers. But, He is not finished. Don’t stand around talking about what God has done. Don’t miss what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do today and tomorrow.

                Ask the Lord today to keep your eyes on the road – where you are and moving ahead. Don’t keep looking back.

February 6 – IMMEDIATELY

 Jesus called to them, “Come, follow me. I’ll make you become fishers of people,” and immediately they left their nets and followed Him. (Mark 1:17-18)

                How do you react when you hear God’s voice? Do you try to dismiss it? Do you ask for counsel from other people? Do you hesitate or try to run away?

                Simon and Andrew modeled the only appropriate response to God’s call – immediately they followed Him. Surely, they had questions, doubts, and even fears – if not at first, certainly as they continued to follow Jesus. But, they addressed their questions to Him. They pressed in around Him at times when they didn’t understand or felt afraid. This simple call from Jesus has not changed. As He shows you the people He created you to serve and to love, the invitation is still, “Come, follow me. I will give you the work to do.”

                He is Lord. He has a plan for your life that is designed uniquely to fit you. Answer His call immediately.

OCTBER 5–CELEBRATE–GROW PARTICIPATION

 The Holy Spirit of the Father, the Lord God, is covering me; my life. The purpose; the reason He placed that Spirit in my life is to tell the great news to the poor. The captives are now free, those who have been stumbling around blind can now see, and I bring real liberty to the oppressed and enslaved. (Luke 4:18-19)

                  Do some of your people need re-charging? You don’t celebrate just to introduce and invite new people to respond and join the effort. Celebration also promotes and grows participation for those already engaged. Remember that what you talk about as the leader is what your people will do. Your words will have a desire-shaping focus. If you stop talking about vision and values, and you stop telling and celebrating the stories of what God is doing, they will notice. Your actions and words, or your inaction and silence are watched very carefully.

                  Jesus said the Spirit was placed upon Him; “covering His life (completely),” so that He would be constantly telling and celebrating the good news. Every day brought an opportunity to shape focus on God, encourage participation, and grow people together in community. His whole business, and yours, is to replicate workers who will in turn bring more transformation.

                  Let your life be covered with the Spirit. Keep on telling the good news. See the transformation God promises as you allow Him to work through you every day.