Amos 3:3. “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
I am a regular at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit that is held every August, broadcast via satellite to sites all over the world. I highly recommend it. Last year I was hit between the eyes when a speaker talked about the importance of the team owning the vision. Before then, I had operated under the idea that it is the leader’s job to identify and articulate the vision, which in turn hopefully guides and motivates the team.
A couple of new ideas started floating around in my head:
– People desire input; they want to contribute on the ground floor to something big; they desire ownership
– People want to see themselves and their personal vision in the bigger vision of the organization; they want to connect their dream to the organization
The verse above poses a rhetorical “no duh” question. The point is simple. If you want your team to follow you (or walk with you), they need to be in agreement with the destination. If you allow them a voice in the process of where to go (not a vote, but a voice!), you gain their enthusiasm and buy-in. People support what they help create.
I bring my Straight Path team to the Summit each year and we all got excited by this. It began a process that lasted over several months and consisted of a number of team meetings to talk about vision. I was a little nervous that they would come up with something different than I had. But the process was great, the resulting vision was better but not significantly different than mine, and everyone was jazzed up. It was truly a big win! Now you go get your team’s input on vision!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Leadership: The Only Thing That Counts
Galatians 5:6. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
This is a good time to press pause. We have been talking about how a good leader starts by following Jesus. The he or she develops a vision, goals and strategies. These are imperative for moving a group of people forward successfully. Defining where we are going, creating tangible indicators of progress, and establishing how to get there are all indispensable. But there is much more.
As Christian leaders, all that we do and how we do it must be rooted in love. If we are followers of Jesus, the scripture above makes it clear that our faith must manifest itself in loving others. This is not a suggestion – it is the only thing that counts, the only thing that has value. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that all manner of wisdom and talents and works are worthless without love.
So check yourself here. In developing a vision, goals and strategies, are you motivated by love? Is your heart’s desire to help people just for their sake? Can you put your self-interest aside and others’ interests first? Later we will also talk about how you love those whom you lead.
This is a good time to press pause. We have been talking about how a good leader starts by following Jesus. The he or she develops a vision, goals and strategies. These are imperative for moving a group of people forward successfully. Defining where we are going, creating tangible indicators of progress, and establishing how to get there are all indispensable. But there is much more.
As Christian leaders, all that we do and how we do it must be rooted in love. If we are followers of Jesus, the scripture above makes it clear that our faith must manifest itself in loving others. This is not a suggestion – it is the only thing that counts, the only thing that has value. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that all manner of wisdom and talents and works are worthless without love.
So check yourself here. In developing a vision, goals and strategies, are you motivated by love? Is your heart’s desire to help people just for their sake? Can you put your self-interest aside and others’ interests first? Later we will also talk about how you love those whom you lead.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Leadership: Create Innovative Strategies
Nehemiah 2:6-8. “Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. I also said to him, ‘If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?’ And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.”
So far we’ve talked about developing a powerful vision and establishing specific goals. One of the big questions remaining is How? That’s where strategies come into play. Strategies define how the goals will be accomplished.
As we’ve discussed, Nehemiah’s goal was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He prayed and then asked King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild the wall. He was not sure how the king would react to the request. The king had the power of life or death over his subjects and Nehemiah was “very much afraid” to make his request.
But here’s the cool thing. Instead of fearfully hoping for a “yes” from the king, Nehemiah was already prepared to lay out his strategies in the form of more requests of the king – presuming that the king would answer his initial request in the affirmative.
So in the verses above, we see that immediately after asking permission to rebuild the wall, he gives the king a timetable, a request for an armed escort through dangerous territory, and a bill of materials for the wall repairs. In other words, he had thought through the strategies he would use to rebuild the wall, and which ones required the king’s assistance.
You will need innovative strategies to accomplish your goals. Think about new, unconventional approaches. Think about partners who bring complementary capabilities to your efforts. Identify people with special skills who might join your team. A great vision and clear goals do not mean much without a plan for accomplishing them, so plan on spending some time answering the “how” question.
And pray! Nehemiah spent “some days” fasting and praying when he first heard the news of Jerusalem’s sorry state. We learn that he did not approach the king with his requests until four months later (from Kislev to Nissan) – suggesting that he spent much time praying and planning. So must we pray and plan!
So far we’ve talked about developing a powerful vision and establishing specific goals. One of the big questions remaining is How? That’s where strategies come into play. Strategies define how the goals will be accomplished.
As we’ve discussed, Nehemiah’s goal was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He prayed and then asked King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild the wall. He was not sure how the king would react to the request. The king had the power of life or death over his subjects and Nehemiah was “very much afraid” to make his request.
But here’s the cool thing. Instead of fearfully hoping for a “yes” from the king, Nehemiah was already prepared to lay out his strategies in the form of more requests of the king – presuming that the king would answer his initial request in the affirmative.
So in the verses above, we see that immediately after asking permission to rebuild the wall, he gives the king a timetable, a request for an armed escort through dangerous territory, and a bill of materials for the wall repairs. In other words, he had thought through the strategies he would use to rebuild the wall, and which ones required the king’s assistance.
You will need innovative strategies to accomplish your goals. Think about new, unconventional approaches. Think about partners who bring complementary capabilities to your efforts. Identify people with special skills who might join your team. A great vision and clear goals do not mean much without a plan for accomplishing them, so plan on spending some time answering the “how” question.
And pray! Nehemiah spent “some days” fasting and praying when he first heard the news of Jerusalem’s sorry state. We learn that he did not approach the king with his requests until four months later (from Kislev to Nissan) – suggesting that he spent much time praying and planning. So must we pray and plan!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Leadership: Focus on a Few Goals
Nehemiah 2:17. “Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’"
Goals help leaders focus their vision. Goals lay out what the leader specifically wants to accomplish. Vision inspires people; goals tell them exactly where they are headed. A lack of focus generally means resources get spread too thin among multiple competing priorities, and nothing significant gets done. So focus.
Nehemiah lived in exile when he heard a report that the people remaining in Jerusalem were “in great trouble and disgrace.” The wall was in ruins, but as we learn from Nehemiah’s prayer, there were even bigger issues, as he acknowledged the wickedness and disobedience of God’s people, and recognized God’s judgment on Israel. We might say that Nehemiah’s vision was the restoration of a right relationship between God and his people.
Nehemiah was able to take that vision and develop a very specific goal: rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. As we read later in the book, the people of Jerusalem worked together to accomplish this goal and in so doing their hearts were softened and they yearned to be restored to God. There is a beautiful picture in chapter 8 where Ezra reads the book of the law, and the people weep.
So take your big, bold, exciting vision and focus on some specific goals whose attainment helps to realize your vision.
Goals help leaders focus their vision. Goals lay out what the leader specifically wants to accomplish. Vision inspires people; goals tell them exactly where they are headed. A lack of focus generally means resources get spread too thin among multiple competing priorities, and nothing significant gets done. So focus.
Nehemiah lived in exile when he heard a report that the people remaining in Jerusalem were “in great trouble and disgrace.” The wall was in ruins, but as we learn from Nehemiah’s prayer, there were even bigger issues, as he acknowledged the wickedness and disobedience of God’s people, and recognized God’s judgment on Israel. We might say that Nehemiah’s vision was the restoration of a right relationship between God and his people.
Nehemiah was able to take that vision and develop a very specific goal: rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. As we read later in the book, the people of Jerusalem worked together to accomplish this goal and in so doing their hearts were softened and they yearned to be restored to God. There is a beautiful picture in chapter 8 where Ezra reads the book of the law, and the people weep.
So take your big, bold, exciting vision and focus on some specific goals whose attainment helps to realize your vision.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Leadership: Develop a Vision
Proverbs 29:18. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
We talked last time about finding your passion, your “holy discontent.” Having a just cause to pursue is vital, but pursuing it to what end? If God blessed your efforts to make a difference, what would the result look like?
If you pursue your passion by yourself, you can wander around without having a clear sense of your desired destination and not do much harm (or much good, either). But if you are leading a group of people, or wanting to influence others to join your cause, you need to be crystal clear in your vision.
A clear vision motivates people. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Those who share your passion want you to tell them what it looks like when that passion is pursued to an exciting end. Hunger ends. Diseases are cured. Relationships are mended. Illiteracy is eliminated. Lives are saved for eternity.
A good vision walks the line between being big and broad enough to elicit a WOW! and being specific enough to not come across as vague or simply wishful thinking. One way to do this is to provide some geographical focus on your vision. Hunger ends in my city.
A good vision almost always comes with a feeling that this could only happen if God makes it happen. A vision is bigger than a person, although a person (the leader) leads the charge.
We have a vision for our church that we summarize as “more grace-changed lives.” We desire to be used by God in his work to reconcile more people to himself. Lots more people. In Hampton Roads and around the world. It’s exciting and motivating!
One of the practical realities of realizing that vision is the need for more space. We own a nice parcel of land (with a big mortgage and a lender who is a bit more conservative now than they were a year ago – like all lenders!) and no funds (yet) to put up a building. And oh by the way we’re in the middle of a bad recession. It is obvious to us that God needs to show up in a big way for us to be meeting in a new building on this land anytime soon. That actually gives us a great deal of peace – the God of the universe, who controls all resources, is in charge of our church and our vision. Who better?
So pray about what your passion looks like when it becomes a fulfilled vision!
We talked last time about finding your passion, your “holy discontent.” Having a just cause to pursue is vital, but pursuing it to what end? If God blessed your efforts to make a difference, what would the result look like?
If you pursue your passion by yourself, you can wander around without having a clear sense of your desired destination and not do much harm (or much good, either). But if you are leading a group of people, or wanting to influence others to join your cause, you need to be crystal clear in your vision.
A clear vision motivates people. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Those who share your passion want you to tell them what it looks like when that passion is pursued to an exciting end. Hunger ends. Diseases are cured. Relationships are mended. Illiteracy is eliminated. Lives are saved for eternity.
A good vision walks the line between being big and broad enough to elicit a WOW! and being specific enough to not come across as vague or simply wishful thinking. One way to do this is to provide some geographical focus on your vision. Hunger ends in my city.
A good vision almost always comes with a feeling that this could only happen if God makes it happen. A vision is bigger than a person, although a person (the leader) leads the charge.
We have a vision for our church that we summarize as “more grace-changed lives.” We desire to be used by God in his work to reconcile more people to himself. Lots more people. In Hampton Roads and around the world. It’s exciting and motivating!
One of the practical realities of realizing that vision is the need for more space. We own a nice parcel of land (with a big mortgage and a lender who is a bit more conservative now than they were a year ago – like all lenders!) and no funds (yet) to put up a building. And oh by the way we’re in the middle of a bad recession. It is obvious to us that God needs to show up in a big way for us to be meeting in a new building on this land anytime soon. That actually gives us a great deal of peace – the God of the universe, who controls all resources, is in charge of our church and our vision. Who better?
So pray about what your passion looks like when it becomes a fulfilled vision!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Leadership: Find Your Passion
Isaiah 6:5 & 8. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Bill Hybels uses the term “holy discontent” in describing the search for your passion. What keeps you up at night? What is just plain wrong? What breaks your heart? What injustice can’t you stand to see any longer? Think hard about this.
Effective leaders have found something that they are passionate about. Passion is crucial for a leader because leaders get attacked and face tremendous opposition at times. Moses dealt with people who felt they would be better off as slaves than living as free people under Moses’ leadership (ouch). Nehemiah faced opposition from his enemies as well as his own people as he led the effort to rebuild the wall.
God opened Isaiah’s eyes to see the sin around him. Isaiah saw the stark contrast between a holy God and a sinful people – “people of unclean lips”. It affected him so much that he cried, “I am ruined!” That produced a passion in him to be used by God to bring a very unpopular message to Israel – basically, repent and clean up your act. Isaiah knew that his career was not going to be marked with a lot of people’s choice awards and big bonuses. But he had a passion and that’s what drove him.
What ruins you?
Bill Hybels uses the term “holy discontent” in describing the search for your passion. What keeps you up at night? What is just plain wrong? What breaks your heart? What injustice can’t you stand to see any longer? Think hard about this.
Effective leaders have found something that they are passionate about. Passion is crucial for a leader because leaders get attacked and face tremendous opposition at times. Moses dealt with people who felt they would be better off as slaves than living as free people under Moses’ leadership (ouch). Nehemiah faced opposition from his enemies as well as his own people as he led the effort to rebuild the wall.
God opened Isaiah’s eyes to see the sin around him. Isaiah saw the stark contrast between a holy God and a sinful people – “people of unclean lips”. It affected him so much that he cried, “I am ruined!” That produced a passion in him to be used by God to bring a very unpopular message to Israel – basically, repent and clean up your act. Isaiah knew that his career was not going to be marked with a lot of people’s choice awards and big bonuses. But he had a passion and that’s what drove him.
What ruins you?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Before You Lead, Know Who Your Leader Is
Joshua 24:14-15. "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
If you check in with me regularly, you will have noticed that I have been MIA for a few weeks. So before I get into some thoughts about Joshua, I ask for your indulgence in my absence which involved a taking nice vacation, playing a benefit for Young Life with my garage band (Guava Jam), and then coming down sick for the last ten days. All things considered, it has been a great month, even counting the sickness. (In all things I will thank God!)
I want to spend a few weeks talking about leadership. Joshua was a great but fairly unsung leader. We remember how he and Caleb spied out the promised land and were the only ones of that group to argue that God’s people should take the land as God directed. 40 years later he was the leader of the nation that entered and conquered the land. Besides being a tremendous military leader, he then went on to successfully govern the new nation.
Joshua always put God first. He always trusted God to deliver. The simple message I’d like us to think about today is who (or what) is really our leader. Most of us have the opportunity to lead, and I define leadership as influencing people toward a desired end. We do this among our friends, in our place of work, at school, in our families, etc.
Good leaders follow God. As he spoke to the new nation of Israel at the end of his life, Joshua realized that the people could easily choose to follow other gods. He told them that they had a choice. Then he told them what his own choice was in those powerful words, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
So think about who or what your god is, especially as you are in positions of influence and leadership. Is your god fame? Money? Power? Prestige? Or is it the one true God, from whom all blessings flow?
If you check in with me regularly, you will have noticed that I have been MIA for a few weeks. So before I get into some thoughts about Joshua, I ask for your indulgence in my absence which involved a taking nice vacation, playing a benefit for Young Life with my garage band (Guava Jam), and then coming down sick for the last ten days. All things considered, it has been a great month, even counting the sickness. (In all things I will thank God!)
I want to spend a few weeks talking about leadership. Joshua was a great but fairly unsung leader. We remember how he and Caleb spied out the promised land and were the only ones of that group to argue that God’s people should take the land as God directed. 40 years later he was the leader of the nation that entered and conquered the land. Besides being a tremendous military leader, he then went on to successfully govern the new nation.
Joshua always put God first. He always trusted God to deliver. The simple message I’d like us to think about today is who (or what) is really our leader. Most of us have the opportunity to lead, and I define leadership as influencing people toward a desired end. We do this among our friends, in our place of work, at school, in our families, etc.
Good leaders follow God. As he spoke to the new nation of Israel at the end of his life, Joshua realized that the people could easily choose to follow other gods. He told them that they had a choice. Then he told them what his own choice was in those powerful words, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
So think about who or what your god is, especially as you are in positions of influence and leadership. Is your god fame? Money? Power? Prestige? Or is it the one true God, from whom all blessings flow?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Jesus Loves You and Me
Matthew 9:35-36. “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Much of what people think of when the word “Christian” or “church” is mentioned is negative – and often with good reason. Since all people are sinful, we frequently do not represent our faith well.
So a long time ago I gave up defending Christianity and the church. Instead, I just talk to people about Jesus. I believe that if people will take an honest look at what Jesus said and did, they will be attracted to him. I hope people become followers of Jesus rather than getting tangled up with “being a Christian” or “going to church”. Jesus told his disciples to “follow me”. That’s what we should do – believe what he taught, and follow his example.
As I have been reading through the book of Matthew this month, I have been struck by the heart of Jesus. The verses above capture this. Do you feel harassed and helpless at times? Jesus has compassion on you. He wants to teach you the truth and heal you. He wants to be your shepherd, caring for you and guiding you in the ways you should go. He loves you.
Wherever you are in your faith, I encourage you to think hard about the “real” Jesus – as revealed in scripture rather than someone’s interpretation. Read one of the gospels over the next few days. He is worth following.
Much of what people think of when the word “Christian” or “church” is mentioned is negative – and often with good reason. Since all people are sinful, we frequently do not represent our faith well.
So a long time ago I gave up defending Christianity and the church. Instead, I just talk to people about Jesus. I believe that if people will take an honest look at what Jesus said and did, they will be attracted to him. I hope people become followers of Jesus rather than getting tangled up with “being a Christian” or “going to church”. Jesus told his disciples to “follow me”. That’s what we should do – believe what he taught, and follow his example.
As I have been reading through the book of Matthew this month, I have been struck by the heart of Jesus. The verses above capture this. Do you feel harassed and helpless at times? Jesus has compassion on you. He wants to teach you the truth and heal you. He wants to be your shepherd, caring for you and guiding you in the ways you should go. He loves you.
Wherever you are in your faith, I encourage you to think hard about the “real” Jesus – as revealed in scripture rather than someone’s interpretation. Read one of the gospels over the next few days. He is worth following.
Monday, January 26, 2009
More Than We Can Ask For or Imagine
Ephesians 3:30-21. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Most of us can ask for and imagine a lot! Maybe you have read this verse before and wondered whether you would ever actually see this happen in your life. Is someone you care about sick? You ask God and imagine that person restored to good health. Have you lost your job? You ask God and imagine working in a great job. Is a relationship strained to the breaking point? You ask God and imagine the relationship being as it once was. You think, “What is it that I can’t even imagine?”
I would encourage you to think about a situation that worked out not only in an unexpected manner but with a result that was better than what you had hoped. Further, I would love to read some of these stories in this blog, so write away!
God has done so many remarkable things in my life that I have come to expect the unexpected. At the same time, I have gown to understand that my concept of what is ideal is often far from God’s concept – and his concept is always better!
Just last week I had a situation involving work. I had an opportunity that I saw as having two mutually exclusive outcomes. To accept the opportunity meant having to say no to another activity. To reject the opportunity was the only way I saw of retaining that other activity, which was important to me. So I was praying that God would give me wisdom to choose and that his will would be done.
I never imagined that I could do both. I never even imagined… But God did, and he made it possible for me to do both. As the verse says, to him be the glory, for his power is at work in you and me!
Most of us can ask for and imagine a lot! Maybe you have read this verse before and wondered whether you would ever actually see this happen in your life. Is someone you care about sick? You ask God and imagine that person restored to good health. Have you lost your job? You ask God and imagine working in a great job. Is a relationship strained to the breaking point? You ask God and imagine the relationship being as it once was. You think, “What is it that I can’t even imagine?”
I would encourage you to think about a situation that worked out not only in an unexpected manner but with a result that was better than what you had hoped. Further, I would love to read some of these stories in this blog, so write away!
God has done so many remarkable things in my life that I have come to expect the unexpected. At the same time, I have gown to understand that my concept of what is ideal is often far from God’s concept – and his concept is always better!
Just last week I had a situation involving work. I had an opportunity that I saw as having two mutually exclusive outcomes. To accept the opportunity meant having to say no to another activity. To reject the opportunity was the only way I saw of retaining that other activity, which was important to me. So I was praying that God would give me wisdom to choose and that his will would be done.
I never imagined that I could do both. I never even imagined… But God did, and he made it possible for me to do both. As the verse says, to him be the glory, for his power is at work in you and me!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Pray for Our Leaders
1 Timothy 2:1-2. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Yesterday was a great day in the history of our great nation. President Obama was inspiring in his inaugural address. Regardless of our politics, now is the time to pray for our new president, his cabinet, and for all those in authority. Let’s commit to do that together!
I thought that the perspective below from a conservative, Chuck Dunn, was particularly interesting:
Who would have thought that President Obama’s inaugural address would:
– Have fewer applause lines than most inaugural addresses, but in the light of history will likely earn more accolades than most?
– Contain fewer uses of I than most, but use the collective we to strengthen his leadership more than most?
– Speak – as a Democrat and an African-American – more about personal responsibility and less about individual rights?
– Include fewer references to the role and policies of government and more references to the values needed to restore the quality of government?
– Offer a sometimes conservative, patriotic, and spiritual message to a largely Democratic and Liberal audience?
– Use down-home, colloquial rhetoric to drive home key points during one of America’s most formal occasions?
– Exalt the historic successes of white America in a manner that drew black and white America together?
– Hold out an olive branch to the world, but shrouded with a firm warning?
– Demonstrate personal humility on an occasion filled with pride, pomp and circumstance?
– Show genuine affection and appreciation for his predecessor, when many in the audience held him in contempt?
Lord, we pray for our new president, his advisors and all those in authority. We pray that you will protect them and their families. We pray that you will give them wisdom and compassion to lead well. We pray that your will is done in our nation. Amen.
Yesterday was a great day in the history of our great nation. President Obama was inspiring in his inaugural address. Regardless of our politics, now is the time to pray for our new president, his cabinet, and for all those in authority. Let’s commit to do that together!
I thought that the perspective below from a conservative, Chuck Dunn, was particularly interesting:
Who would have thought that President Obama’s inaugural address would:
– Have fewer applause lines than most inaugural addresses, but in the light of history will likely earn more accolades than most?
– Contain fewer uses of I than most, but use the collective we to strengthen his leadership more than most?
– Speak – as a Democrat and an African-American – more about personal responsibility and less about individual rights?
– Include fewer references to the role and policies of government and more references to the values needed to restore the quality of government?
– Offer a sometimes conservative, patriotic, and spiritual message to a largely Democratic and Liberal audience?
– Use down-home, colloquial rhetoric to drive home key points during one of America’s most formal occasions?
– Exalt the historic successes of white America in a manner that drew black and white America together?
– Hold out an olive branch to the world, but shrouded with a firm warning?
– Demonstrate personal humility on an occasion filled with pride, pomp and circumstance?
– Show genuine affection and appreciation for his predecessor, when many in the audience held him in contempt?
Lord, we pray for our new president, his advisors and all those in authority. We pray that you will protect them and their families. We pray that you will give them wisdom and compassion to lead well. We pray that your will is done in our nation. Amen.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Jesus Is Our Savior, Not Our Genie
Romans 10:9. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
I’m not sure where the past two weeks went but I am back! I wanted to share a couple of thoughts about why we should follow Jesus.
Our culture isn’t too big on the concept of sin. In a very pluralistic society where freedom is the paramount value, we generally say that everything that is specifically not prohibited by law is okay. While our culture gains much value and strength from diversity, we have difficulty agreeing on what is right and what is wrong. If something is allowed by the law (or close) and it feels good, do it.
So talking to people about the consequence of sin is a tough sell. Instead, we often talk about God as someone who will make our lives better. That message resonates more with our culture. Unfortunately it’s not always true. Followers of Jesus experience grave illnesses, have relationships that fall apart, lose their jobs, and so on. God’s desire is not for our comfort and convenience. God is interested in a deeply personal and loving relationship with us – and in that relationship, he promises to care for us through life’s ups and downs.
As the verse above suggests, the primary benefit of following Jesus is that we will be saved. From what? From the consequence of our sin (any activity inconsistent with God’s standards). That consequence is death – permanent separation from God.
So while God does in fact love us, we shouldn’t think of him as a genie who will grant us our desires and make our lives better. We need a savior, and his name is Jesus.
I’m not sure where the past two weeks went but I am back! I wanted to share a couple of thoughts about why we should follow Jesus.
Our culture isn’t too big on the concept of sin. In a very pluralistic society where freedom is the paramount value, we generally say that everything that is specifically not prohibited by law is okay. While our culture gains much value and strength from diversity, we have difficulty agreeing on what is right and what is wrong. If something is allowed by the law (or close) and it feels good, do it.
So talking to people about the consequence of sin is a tough sell. Instead, we often talk about God as someone who will make our lives better. That message resonates more with our culture. Unfortunately it’s not always true. Followers of Jesus experience grave illnesses, have relationships that fall apart, lose their jobs, and so on. God’s desire is not for our comfort and convenience. God is interested in a deeply personal and loving relationship with us – and in that relationship, he promises to care for us through life’s ups and downs.
As the verse above suggests, the primary benefit of following Jesus is that we will be saved. From what? From the consequence of our sin (any activity inconsistent with God’s standards). That consequence is death – permanent separation from God.
So while God does in fact love us, we shouldn’t think of him as a genie who will grant us our desires and make our lives better. We need a savior, and his name is Jesus.
Friday, January 2, 2009
God’s Word
Psalm 19:7-8. “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”
I wanted to start off the new year with an encouragement to read the Bible regularly. I know that for most of us this is not an easy thing. It sounds like a task or a rule, and we don’t always fully understand what we read, etc.
The verse above gives us four benefits of reading and obeying scripture. These motivate me, and hopefully they will motivate you.
First, our soul will be revived. Our soul is that eternal part of us. The psalmist knew that our soul would tend to tire and wither, carrying burdens and facing challenges. God’s word re-energizes my soul. I need that.
Second, we will gain wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge informed by experience. Godly wisdom is further informed by God. I have made some bad decisions in my life, and I’m sure I will make more in the future. I want God’s wisdom so I can make better decisions.
Third, we will experience joy. Joy is that abiding gladness of the heart that comes from a right perspective of life. Most of the time I get this, but sometimes I’m weighed down by the troubles of life. I want my life to be joyful, not just for my benefit but so that I can encourage others.
Finally, we will see more clearly. Sometimes I feel like I am stumbling around in the dark, not seeing things nor understanding what’s going on around me. This is not a good feeling! I want to be able to see more clearly, because I will avoid pitfalls and gain a better perspective of the world around me.
There are many ways to read through the Bible and many resources to help you (here’s one: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/). Make a decision to read regularly and see how God works!
I wanted to start off the new year with an encouragement to read the Bible regularly. I know that for most of us this is not an easy thing. It sounds like a task or a rule, and we don’t always fully understand what we read, etc.
The verse above gives us four benefits of reading and obeying scripture. These motivate me, and hopefully they will motivate you.
First, our soul will be revived. Our soul is that eternal part of us. The psalmist knew that our soul would tend to tire and wither, carrying burdens and facing challenges. God’s word re-energizes my soul. I need that.
Second, we will gain wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge informed by experience. Godly wisdom is further informed by God. I have made some bad decisions in my life, and I’m sure I will make more in the future. I want God’s wisdom so I can make better decisions.
Third, we will experience joy. Joy is that abiding gladness of the heart that comes from a right perspective of life. Most of the time I get this, but sometimes I’m weighed down by the troubles of life. I want my life to be joyful, not just for my benefit but so that I can encourage others.
Finally, we will see more clearly. Sometimes I feel like I am stumbling around in the dark, not seeing things nor understanding what’s going on around me. This is not a good feeling! I want to be able to see more clearly, because I will avoid pitfalls and gain a better perspective of the world around me.
There are many ways to read through the Bible and many resources to help you (here’s one: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/). Make a decision to read regularly and see how God works!
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