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 20–OTHERS TRUST BECAUSE OF YOU

 Like it was said, “I believed; so, I have told it.” We have that same great confidence, so we speak. We know that the God who raised Jesus will bring us through too, and you as well. All this – for and through you – growing more and more to a great celebration that brings glory and honor to God. (2 Corinthians 4:13-15)

                  Your people will be encouraged, and their fears will be calmed, when they can see your steady, consistent confidence in Jesus. Will you keep the assurance of God’s faithfulness in your mind and in front of your people all the time?

                  Paul recalls a verse from Psalms (116:10). In this Psalm, the circumstance was that, “in His great affliction” the writer continued to believe, and therefore continued to speak of God’s glory. The psalm writer says he was changed from the day when adversity had made him despair. Paul begins with reference to this change, saying he too has had this experience. This encourages his friends in Corinth to become new – to see God’s glory and persevere when they are challenged. Ultimately then, through their faith, many other people will come to faith, celebrating and worshipping God. All of this because of one person’s simple, confident belief.

                   Recognize that your actions, because you believe, will be the basis for others to believe in an ever-increasing, geometric progression. The trust of others begins with you.

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 18 – YOU MUST GET TO THE POINT

 Remember, we aren’t preaching the truth according to Paul. We are sent to tell them about Jesus, the Messiah, Lord of the world, and the Master who sent us as His servant to serve and help you. The Lord, God who said, “Light – come from obscurity,” has made His light; the truth about Him that shows who Jesus really is, come out of our hearts for you. (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)

                  What are the things that you should be sure your people understand about their relationship with you? Do you spend a lot of time and energy explaining who you are, and how you do things? Do you wait for a special, right time to let them know why you are, and why they are there with you?

                  Paul is clear. When God sent him to a person it was for him to tell them about Jesus. He didn’t spend a great deal of time and effort qualifying or explaining himself. He didn’t talk a whole lot about anything other than what God sent him to do. Shouldn’t that be true of you? When is too early to tell someone that you do all that you do because you are a servant of Jesus? Or, how long must you have relationship with a person before they hear that you believe life is a series of opportunities to tell people good news?

                   The Bible says to wait upon the Lord. The Bible also teaches that, when God speaks, and He shows you what to do, you should get to the point and obey Him immediately.

DECEMBER 17 – YOU MUST BE TRANSPARENT

 Rather (instead of giving up when you are rejected), we won’t resort to desperate tactics, dishonesty, or try to spin the word of God. No, we transparently present God’s Truth. The, it is up to them. Even if this Truth is hidden, it is only hidden to those who have been blinded by Satan. Choosing the road to certain death, some can’t see God’s light and truth and glory the truth about Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:2-4)

                   Do you sometimes choose to talk more (or only) about God’s love and care and gifts, and the peace and joy of following? Do you hesitate to give the full picture of what life lived on God’s terms will require of others? Have you ever been surprised to see someone turn away from God angrily when things go wrong, or when times are hard?

                   People deserve the truth. God did not create men and women with the freedom to choose so they could be tricked into choosing relationship with Him. The work with each person God sends you, as Paul explains, is to share the unvarnished truth with them. That is the only way that you can be obedient, and God can be glorified. There is no end that justifies anything less than transparency. Your end is always to obey God’s call.

                   Be transparent. Present the truth about Jesus and His work in your life authentically and honestly.

DECEMBER 16 – WHAT YOU CANNOT DO

 But, if the people in the place I send you do not accept the gift of God’s blessing, get back on the road. Accept their response. Say to them, “We have done all that we are to do. We will not argue, but you must understand that God’s kingdom is coming to reality.” (Luke 10:10-11)

                   How many times have you tried to “fix” another person? How many times has that effort proven to be successful? In the sense that long-term change is required for success to be declared, you likely must admit that you have not been able to succeed. People don’t change unless they decide to change. The strength of your will, your considerable attributes and talents, nor even your love for them will overcome the other person’s choices. You cannot fix someone else.

                   Jesus’ instructions acknowledge this reality. Yes, you are to use those talents and give your love passionately, as God’s Spirit leads you. But, in the end, each person must decide if he or she will pay the cost (everything) required to enjoy life in relationship with God and His prosperity.

                   Recognize that, when your work is done, you must leave. As with every other aspect of life in Christ, that time is determined by God. But, when the Lord says, “leave,” you must not stay. You cannot fix your people.