NOVEMBER 1 – LIFE ACCOUNTING 102

 (Love) can patiently, quietly continue no matter what happens. It extends trust, believing each promise and every promise. It hopes fully in every respect (in God’s promises), so it may endure anything. Love never fails! (I Corinthians 13:7)

                  The thing about investments is that you generally want to build for the long-term. What is the asset that you want to “quietly continue” to grow during your lifetime? Jesus said the new command is to “love one another (John 13:14).” If that’s the work, the related asset certainly is human relationships. So, the equation for building that long-term value would be:

Rich Relationships = My Love + My Trust + My Hope

                  Paul begins with love, but he is telling his people at Corinth that the enduring work comes down to faith (trust), hope, and love (I Corinthians 13:13). With the love that is motivated by God’s love, made bold by a firm trust, and centered on a secure hope, you will have courage to risk investment in other people. Only then, will you be able to extend love and trust in a way that the world can’t understand, and fix your focus on your hope for the other person’s future. That kind of love is what makes for a rich relationship with another.

                   Trust the Lord today. Endure; persevere when life gets hard. Love, even when others don’t love you back. Let God’s love that never fails work through your life.

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.

February 29 – PERSEVERE IN HOPE

You have allowed enemies to run right over us, you have led us through the fires of great testing and the deep waters of overwhelming circumstances. Yet you have brought us through to your kingdom of wealth and abundance. (Psalm 66:12)

                Can you believe in the Lord even when those who oppose you seem to be winning? While you are struggling with uncertainty and challenges that appear to be much larger than you, does your confidence and hope stay strong?

                The writer observes what Jesus, the disciples, and even the prophets before them all said, “If you persevere, God will bring victory.” Whatever the work that is your life as a child of God, you are promised that powers and principalities (those of high standing and great strength – greater than mere men) will fight against you. But, you are also promised that God will prevail if you continue in faith.

                Whether you are in a fire of great testing or standing at the edge of muddy, deep waters today, make the decision to be faithful, trusting in God’s ability to overcome.

OCTOBER 12 – SERVING TEACHES

 And the many began to ask him (John), “So what, then, should we do?” He answered, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who has none. If you have food, do the same.” (Luke 3:10-11)

                   Do you give your people practical opportunities to participate in God’s kingdom work? At times, behaving in a way that models your values; especially when providing service unselfishly to others, can open a person’s heart to the love of Christ. As they experience God’s presence in the work and the healing power of hope, people have an opportunity to see a different possibility for their own lives.

                   John encouraged his listeners to understand that God’s judgment is certain, and that He will not accept less than a life lived well; for His purposes. To that challenge, the people asked the question most would consider, “How then do I please God?” Humble repentance in faith, such as these people showed as they sought to be baptized is desired by God. But, Scripture repeatedly explains that selfless love and mercy is the answer to what really pleases God.

                   Words are powerful, but actions are powerful too. Give your people opportunities to learn through action. Let them participate with you in God’s work in your community. Serving others will teach them about God’s love.