Listen to the Stories- Tell Yours Later

Proverbs 15:22  Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

A common mistake of leaders when joining a new organization (company, church, social group) is to move forward with an agenda without considering the history of the organization and its members. Even though you may hear a few perspectives, never let a few snapshots paint the whole picture. Ask tough questions, listen to the stories, and research the history of the organization and its people. Savior mentalities are sure to cause hurt feelings, unnecessary work and thus, the progress of your organization.

If you've been given the opportunity to lead a new organization, take time to learn about its history, its leaders and the people that currently run it. You may be surprised. In most cases, organizations and churches don't stay open long unless it has a strong history at some point- maybe even innovative. Why would this be helpful to you? Simply put, some people come into an organization or join a church as the self-labeled (whether consciously or not) "savior", but eventually they take on a burden not meant for them. After a short time, burn out is staring at you down the road where resentment befriends weariness.

John 15:4-5
4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

What was meant as whole "Body" or complete Team participation becomes relegated to people looking to a “savior”. No one is meant to be a savior- no one. That role is strictly reserved for one and one alone- Jesus. There are no superstars in ministry just fellow servants. When you identify yourself as a servant you communicate you are part of the team. Even though you may be exceptional, you still need a team to move forward.

We are saved for community. No man is an island, not even the Savior.

Jesus, I need your help today. I trust in you. I lack nothing. Thank you for the skills and traits you've given me that makes me who I am. I offer my life as a living sacrifice that it would bring You glory, because in the end, it’s all about You. Amen.

Take Authority Over Your Property

  Psalm 48:1-5
  1  Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the 

      city of our God, his holy mountain.

  2  It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. 

      Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, 

      the city of the Great King.
  3 God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her 

      fortress.
  4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced 

      together,
  5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.

In our weekly prayer meeting for the company, I was reminded a few things from this psalm. First of all, fortified cities like the one described here were places where citizens sought and found refuge. Usually, it was the wall of the city that was the first line of defense, then the massive arsenal of weaponry, and finally, the battalion of soldiers ready to defend that discouraged would be invaders.  Secondly, fortified cities stood on their own. They sometimes acted like their own country of sorts.

The psalmist here tells us that the strength of this city is not found its walls or armies, but by God's presence. Several points here:

  1. The believer is called a "temple" of the Holy Spirit

  2. Ownership of property gave you the right to speak

  3. Ownership of property was your stake and claim.

  4. The enemy's work is to gain ground by convincing you to

      "forfeit" your rights.  Think about Eve in the Garden of  Eden.

  5. In the original language, intercession is a terminology used

      in war- a clashing to gain ground.

Every owner and leader in a company should pray over the company and declare God's reign over it- yielding it to Him on a daily basis. But don't just pray for your job and company, but include those who work for you and their families. You'll also need to make sure to pray for your own "property"- whatever has your name on it including your children.  It is your right.

Father, thank you for the authority you gave us.  For Lord I know you own the cattle on a thousand hills.  I ask that you would watch over and protect the four corners of my property.  No only that but also uphold my company, my business, my position, and all that you have given me rights to.  May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

The Power of Silence (Hold Your Tongue)

Proverbs 10:19  When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise

Never mistaken the lack of response for the lack of ability.  At some points, silence (holding your tongue) afford you a few things otherwise lost in hasty replies:

1. Gain a better perspective on what the real problem is.
    More time to process. Responding without full consideration
    eventually will trip you up, thus, slowing you down.

2. Save you the emotional draw it'll take to repent, apologize,
    and seek forgiveness for words spoken.

3. Give you a better view of your "enemy" (person or entity)-
    any areas of weakness exposed or can be exploited.

4. Extend more time to pray and seek wisdom from God.
    Holy Spirit's intervention and insight is the best source of help
    and vindication.

Father, you are my help without fail.  I rely on you today to walk me through it all.  I look to the left and then the right, so much to do.  I reaffirm today that you are my true Hope-source.  Thank you.  

My Hope

                                                             Artist: Lorena Vigil-Escalera
   
    Psalm 33
  
   18  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
        on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
   ¹⁹  to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
   ²⁰  We wait in hope for the LORD;
        he is our help and our shield.
   ²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,  for we trust in his holy name.
   ²² May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
       even as we put our hope in you.

To say the economy has been a bit shaky would be an understatement. One moment we hear that progress is being made and the next we hear of companies missing their projected earnings and the sector and that sector of the economy was much weaker than thought. Either we've grown so cold and accustomed to this type of news that we have become calloused to it (tor protect our heart), or we've let it consume us (like a caterpillar eating a leaf).

The psalmist had it right in verse 22, "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

One thing for sure and a solid practice- only put your hope in something or someone who cannot change. Yep, you know where I'm going with. The problem we have is we put our "hope" in a person or "vehicle" that seems to solve a problem we face at the moment- usually the most glaring one. But a new employee, a love interest for the holidays, or a budding achievement can only give us so much. What we end up doing is placing our hope in a "vehicle" that only met a temporary need.

Two things for sure here. Your problem is temporary and there will always be more. How is that for hope? I know a bit pale.  But the point is regardless of how we insulate our lives whether it is with people (even to codependency, more success, money, acts of mercy) or things, only serve as temporary answers to a temporary problem. In this fallen world, problems will ALWAYS exist.  Its the reality of growth and life. Thats why we say the "Challenge" of life not the "Stroll" of life.

In the Bible we learn God is our rock. He's a firm foundation that cannot be moved.  Furthermore, James writes,


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (1:17 NIV).


God is good and he does not change. The word change implies and applies to many places of our life; most importantly, He does not change his mind about his promises to us especially salvation. So regardless of how you "feel" today or whatever ambitious exploit you plan, take a deep breath, look up to heaven, and tell your heavenly Father what is on your mind. Recommit your heart to him today.  Place that whole weight of hope on the only One who can bear all of it for He does not change like shifting shadows.


Father, I thank you for you are my help and true hope. Today, I ask for your help even in small things. Direct my thoughts.  For I can do much with my strength, but it only goes so far.  But you LORD, you do all things as they should.  

Knowledge is Power

Psalm 32
  1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins 
     are covered.
  2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against 
     him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
  3 When I kept silent,my bones wasted away through my groaning 
     all day long.
  4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
     my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
  5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my 
     iniquity.  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
      and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
  6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may 
     be found;surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
  7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

A popular motto I heard throughout elementary and middle school was "Knowledge is Power". True, knowing more information does give me more "power" but that's only partially correct. Being knowledgeable doesn't always empower a person does it? Sometimes the things I hear burden me more than it emboldens me. So maybe we should add a disclaimer or modify this motto a little- "Knowledge of God is power". I like this one better.

When we come to know God, and I mean "know" him in the sense of intimacy, we are empowered. This is the safest kind of knowledge. Why? Well, for starters, there is nothing we need to know from God that he cannot empower us to accomplish. If God is the source, the bank of all our needs (both physical and spiritual), then He is more than able to give us all resources to properly act.

Read verse 1 again,
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered

and then tie it in with verses 5 and 6,
   5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
      I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
      and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
  6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;
     surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. "

Here's a thought. Which knowledge is more powerful? The one that informs you or one that frees you? This is getting philosophical I know but hand in there.  I think we can do a play on words but you get the idea.  In the end, I think the conclusion should be the same- however that it may empower me or us to ACT.

How powerful is a forgiven man or woman? I wish I could have been around slaves in the South once they realized the full measure of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. What did they look like (body language, eyes, community) when they realized they were "FREE!"?  Imagine the sounds heard throughout the country....wow.  Man, what a great victory over the cries of injustice. In the same way the slaves were elated to find out what freedom was accorded to them so a man or woman who comes to the realization and/or knowledge of forgiveness and relief of burdens. What a joy!

Today, glory in the knowledge that you have been forgiven. That you are more than what was told of you.  And don't just stop there.  Seek to know Him more. It is only the beginning. Knowing God is our Father, it should make things a lot easier. Notice I said "easier" but not "easy". Today, let's thank our Father for his love by sending Jesus and then glory in the knowledge that you and I have been forgiven and are free. What else does the "freedom" afford us?

God, thank you for the awareness of your love and the freedom you afford me. Your love is grand, your light is my help and strength. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. For this, I pray gratefully. Teach me the end of my life. Show me what should be the remainder of my life- I owe a great debt to you. I am blessed to be forgiven and empowered to act.  Show me how to use this knowledge today.