Manage An Organization vs Lead A Movement

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 6:1-5
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’ This proposal pleased the whole group.”

OBSERVATION:
I see a lesson in leadership here and this lesson makes all the difference between building a movement and building an organization. We see some leaders here who have gotten too deep into the daily grind of church work. They are doing everything when they could be delegating. It is one thing for a leader to roll up his sleeves and get dirty in the trenches with the troops for a season, but the troops need a leader not another helping hand. When leaders forget to leave the foxhole there is no one out in front setting the pace of the pack - no one above the surface to see beyond where we are. No one with a vantage that can see what others cannot and confidently MOVE us into our future.

The church was not meant to be an organization, but a movement. To me, the difference is that organizations or stagnant while movements are mobile. Organizations are rigid while movements are fluid. An organization is to be managed and maintained in order to best produce a product that sells and finances the organization. The church was not built on a product but on principles and a faith that feeds the community it is in. It requires management and organization but is driven by a commission and commandment from God.

The lesson here is that if you want to maintain an organization then organize and manage tasks. If you want to create a movement then create a community of people to do the work together - a work force centered in and focused on the Great Commandment and Great Commission of God. Delegate the tasks of the ministry so you can continue to cast the vision, teach the principles, and share the faith of the movement you are creating.

APPLICATION:
I have to stop and evaluate my ministry “plate” at times. There are things that any body can do and things that only my strengths, position, calling, and anointing can do. Not that only I am capable, but only I am responsible for. If I am doing what others can do and ignoring what only I can do the church is no longer a moving - therefore, not a movement. While it may be going well and the tasks are getting done, it is simple an organization. So my evaluation is simply to take inventory of my time and tasks and weigh them against the following questions;

Is this something that needs to be done at this time? Why or why not?
Is this something that I need to do? If not who can I give it too?
Is there something that I should be doing but am not? If so, how do I approach it?

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for calling me to something so great. It is not an organization but a new life. It’s a revolution. A movement. It is organic. Help me to be strategic and purposeful with my time. Help me to do what you’ve called me to do and release the gifts and call of others. In Jesus name, AMEN!

LIVING EASY vs LIVING FREE

SCRIPTURE:EXODUS 23:2-3

"Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.”

OBSERVATION:

Balance and level headedness is so important in the business of helping people and promoting justice.  I have known people whose measure of justice or rightness is the consensus of the crowd they are in.  It is as if they have no internal anchor’s of their own that will stand up to the crowd when it is necessary.

I have also known people who can’t acknowledge the wrong doing of a person without disowning the person himself.  Because they are so strongly motivated by compassion and mercy, they excuse behavior because of the circumstances surrounding it.  Yes there are some circumstances that should acquit a person in spite of their behavior.  I am talking about those who confuse the word “understandable” with “excusable” or actually see them as the same.  Though it might be understandable why or how somebody would come to a conclusion does not make that conclusion right.  If the conclusion is not right, neither will the consequential behaviors.  It is important to understand a person and them help them out of a life of excuses and into a life based on truth - “I messed up. I sinned.  I need forgiveness.  I need help.  I will not do it again.  I learned my lesson.  If I can make it right I will.”

It is a hard job being a people helper because we are not wanting them to simply be able to live with themselves and feel a false sense of justification, we want them to overcome their circumstance - to live in the freedom that truth and righteousness provides, even when it means that we have hard consequences because of it.  I guess it is the difference between living free and living easy - I choose free.

APPLICATION:

Living easy requires that I justify my behavior so I FEEL better, living free requires that I acknowledge my sin/wrong so I can BE better.  Living easy requires that I share my burden with a professional so I can forgive myself, living free requires that I confess my sin to God and people so they can forgive me.  Living easy requires that I work on me so I can live with myself, living free requires that I try and right my wrongs with people so I can live with others in the freedom of a clean conscience.

PRAYER:

Father, you know I have sinned and have need of forgiveness.  I sin on a daily basis by my thoughts, attitude, behaviors.  Help me to never be so soft on myself that I don’t change.  Help me choose to always live free rather than easy.  Thank you for truth and the gift of freedom that accompanies it.  In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

I am an itty-bitty living space for His phenomenal cosmic power!

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 3:3-8

“Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

OBSERVATION:

I can’t help but imagine how many times Peter and John walked past this crippled beggar.  The text starts out saying that he was crippled from birth and was placed in the asame place everyday to beg.  It goes on to say that others in the temple recognized this man - he was a landmark so-to-speak. Peter and John had seen the guy asking for money regularly.  I imagine they threw him a coin or two from time to time and others times they were broke themselves and did not give him anything.

One day it dawned on them that though they didn’t have silver or gold to give they were not without the ability to offer help.  While their earthly resources were limited, their spiritual resources were more than enough.  I think of times that I wanted to shrink back from an opportunity because I weigh or measure the possibilities against my earthly resources (monetary, knowledge, energy, time, etc.).  While my resources may be limited, God’s are available to me.  I have been given power to be God’s witness in my neighborhood, my region, and around the world.  What we have to offer is more than people think they can ask for so they settle for money.  We can offer wholeness and the ability to build a life worth living.

As I write this I can’t help but think of Genie’s quote on Aladin “PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER!!! - itty-bitty living space.”  While we are small and limited, we have the power and presence of God who dwells in us.  We are an itty-bitty living space for the creator of the universe - the one who made us and can fix us.

APPLICATION:

I have to remember that what we enter into is not just a future hope but also a present reality.  God is able and willing now to make us whole.  The amazing thing is that chooses us to bring this about in the lives of others.  I have to look beyond myself to the God who chose to dwell in me and make His power known thru me.  It is by His perfect design and flawless wisdom that I am an itty-bitty living space for His phenomenal cosmic power!

PRAYER:

Father, thanks for reminding me that ministry is beyond my ability.  It requires more than I have, but not more than you can do thru me.  Help me to be bold enough to make myself available to engage in the lives of others, being fully confident in your power at work thru me.  Thank you that you chose to live in me and work thru me - in Jesus name, AMEN!

Life Out Of Death

SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 2:5-10

“Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said.

Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’

 ‘Yes, go,’ she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother.  Pharaoh's daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.  When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, ‘I drew him out of the water.’"

OBSERVATION:

What an amazing account of the humor and goodness of God.  This mother was forced to take a chance with the life of her son.  If she kept him he would surely be killed.  If she sent him down the river he would most likely be killed.  God does not miss a tear that is shed and takes notice of this young mother’s dilemma.  God arranges circumstances in such a way that the child is saved - WHAT A TREAT!!!  The whip cream is that the child was given a place in the royal family and was raised in the King’s palace.  What mother would not want that for her child.  But wait!  There’s more.  The baby needed to be nursed so they had to find a lactating slave girl to help in this area.  Who could qualify?  How about the child’s birth mother?  So the baby’s mama was paid to help raise her own son. HAH!  Crazy cool.

Sweet redemption, amazing grace - just another way God brings life out of death.

APPLICATION:

There are times that seem helpless.  There are outcomes that seem inevitable.  There are circumstances and losses that seem unavoidable.  The tendency is to roll over and submit, to throw in the towel, to give up your back and let it choke you out.  This mother was stuck between two hopeless situations and made a decision that inspired me.  She took the option with the most hope (even though slim) and took a chance.  She did what she could with what she had.  She didn’t roll over and wait to die.   God came thru and brought life out of death.

PRAYER:

Father, there is never a time that we are without hope because there is never a time that we are without you.  You are a good God who brings life out of death and lets your light shine in dark places.  Help me to never give in to the tendencies of my flesh, but to always take a chance, finding the option with the most hope and trusting you to bring sweet redemption and amazing grace!!!  In Jesus name, AMEN!!!

A "God's-Eye-View" Of Life

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 50:15 - 21

“When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’  So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died:  This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said.

But Joseph said to them, ‘Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

OBSERVATION:

Life is so much better when you live it with a “God’s-eye-view”!  If you don’t have the perspective of God as life happens you become trapped as a victim of circumstances.  You have no choice but to be bitter when bad things happen.  You are stuck with sorrow when you are wounded and hurt.  Your default is feeling is fear when faced with the unknown.  You are stuck, or at best have very limited options on how to feel and respond to your negative circumstances.

Imagine Joseph’s circumstances with his brothers.  If he did not have a “God’s-eye-view” of his life things would have played out very differently for him and his brothers.  His father’s death would have been the perfect opportunity for him to exact his revenge.  His brother’s did not like the prophetic dream that they would bow down to their little brother - they hated it.  That hatred transfered from the dream to Joseph himself.  They sold him into slavery which set a course of painful, hard, and hurtful circumstances.  Circumstances that did not reflect the word/dream that Joseph had.

Joseph stayed open to the fact that God was behind this and sure enough found himself directly in the center of God’s plan for his life.  God used this extremely difficult path to lead Joseph into his God given purpose - one of huge influence in world affairs; one that saved many lives and propelled the people of God into the future God had for them.  This act of anger from their brother’s is what set things in motion to accomplish God’s big picture and small picture - it is also what caused them to bow down before their little brother just as the dream depicted. God is so clever!

APPLICATION:

I need to have a “God’s-eye-view” as well.  To put up with my negative circumstances while looking for God behind the scenes - orchestrating, working, moving me closer to His “big picture” purpose for my life.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you are always close.  You are never removed from my circumstances but always working in the midst of them.  Help me to not give up hope or come to the end of my rope before I find your hand at work.  Holy Spirit, reassure me that there is a bigger purpose than I can see, then help me see it.  In Jesus name - Amen!

Known as, Known By, Known For - The God Who Changes Names

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 35:9-10

“After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.  God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.’ So he named him Israel.”

OBSERVATION:

God is a God who changes names.  In the old testament a name for a person was given in almost a prophetic way.  Many times it was given as a result of a sense that God had given a promise or a hope for your child.  It was not just what the child was known by, but known for.  It was a defining mark or title.

Even Jesus was given His name because an Angel who carried a message from God told Joseph to give Him the name, Jesus.

Today we are given names because of family tradition - in the south women often take their grandmothers name as their middle name.  We often times name someone something because we think it is pretty or unique.  In either case we don’t give people names of hope or promise as often anymore.  More often it something that they are known by rather than known for.

That being said, there are things, titles, descriptions, that become our identity as we live our lives - angry, sad, wounded, hurtful, victim, lonely, etc..  They may not be our name, but they define our lives and become our identity.  Sometimes to the point that we can’t be known by others or relate to others outside of these identifiers.  while we might not like these titles, they are familiar and easy to settle into.  However, God is a God who changes names - He changes identities by giving us new things to identify with - identifiers that flow from who He is to us and what He desires for us.  Identities that reflect His promises and the hope that he gives all mankind

There was a Vineyard worship song that we sang in the 80’s (yes I said 80’s) by D.J. Butler called I will change your name - It is out of date and anything but cool but I can hardly sing it with out crying.  The words are:

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks My face

APPLICATION:

While there are a lot of things in my life that effect me, they don’t have to define me.  My identity can and should flow from my relationship with God and the hope that He has given me.  He has promised me hope and a future of joy, healing, peace, provision, overcoming, victory, fruitfulness, purpose, fulfillment, love, relationship, faithfulness....  I can’t wait ‘till these things overwhelm me before I let them define me.  This can’t happen without me letting go of my present identity.  I must walk confidently in the reality that my identity in Christ as a new creation is presently alive.  When this happens I might still be known as Jason, but will be know for confidence, joyfulness, overcoming, faithfulness, friendship with God, and being a person who seeks  God’s face.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your acceptance of me the way I am and patiently & skillfully changing me into the man you desire me to be.  I am no longer defined by stereotypes, family history/heritage, my sins, my failures, my victories, etc..  My identity is wrapped up in you.  Continue to mold and shape me into the man you desire me to be.  Fulfill your purposes in me.  Help me to be known by others in such a way that my life illuminates the goodness of God to mankind.  In Jesus name - AMEN!

Citizens & Sojourners

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:20-21

“Again he asked, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’"

OBSERVATION:

This passage paints the picture of the Kingdom of God as something that is more engrained than a religious system.  It is mixed into every part and is not distinguishable as something that is separate from the grain,or water, or otherwise.

I guess what I see here is that God should so effect our lives that our faith is not defined by practices, places, or rituals, but it is more a part of who we are.  I think that the kingdom of God should be so thoroughly worked though us that it is as much a culture as it is a belief system.  Something that is embodied rather than simply read, or believed, or stated.

As Christ was the incarnation of God on earth (God with skin on), we should be the be the incarnation or embodiment of the Kingdom of God (the Kingdom of God with skin on). That we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and simply sojourners in this world.

APPLICATION:

I need to be more aware of my citizenship is anchored.  I need to fix my expectations of fulfillment and fairness there rather than here.  I need to priorities from a Kingdom of God vantage point.  Work with an eye on eternity.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to live as a citizen and a sojourner.  Help me to prioritize and align my life according to your Kingdom’s initiatives, values, and principles.  I want to have a consistent and fluid faith.  Break any walls that build compartments that are yours and compartments that are mine - let my walk with you be my culture not my practice.  Help me to embody your purpose not just do religious stuff.  In Jesus name, AMEN!

Don't Trade All Your Future For One Today

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 25:29-34

“Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.  He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!’ (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, ‘First sell me your birthright.’

‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’

But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.  So Esau despised his birthright.”

OBSERVATION:

I guess what I observe most readily is man’s nature to forfeit his future for the immediate.  Whether it is out of desperation, strong desire, mild desire, or a false sense of urgency person after person has done this in their life.

The woman who struggles with a lifetime of shame and guilt after an abortion.  The couple who sacrifices their financial future because they want too much too soon.  The guy who can’t control his sexual urges and forfeits a life long marriage fora one night stand.

It is a sad day when we despise the things that are most important and love the things that are temporary highs.

APPLICATION:

God has equipped us to avoid such a depressing place in life,  People can avoid desperation with wisdom, and can overcome desire with self-control.  We can avoid a false sense of urgency by practicing patience.  

The problem is that practicing wisdom, self control, and patience seem like a drag compared to throwing caution to the wind, flying by the seat of your pants, and spontaneity.  Because, these disciplines are, well disciplines, we begin to despise the future God has for us - our inheritance so-to-speak.  It is discipline and it is hard work, but it pays off over time.  I've heard the saying that "If you choose to live like nobody else right now, you will live like nobody else later."

I will keep a strong grip on the desires of my heart, on my level of peace and contentment, and on my emotional well being.  I will look to God to bring peace and contentment rather than the promise of peace and fulfillment the world offers.  I will try my best to live in moderation and keep my heart and mind set on the wonderful future God has for me.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the wonderful inheritance that I have in you - the wonderful hope, of a prosperous future.  Help me to be keenly aware of the value of such things so I do not “throw my pearls to the pigs”.  In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!

THE GOD WHO SEES

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 16:13

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”

OBSERVATION:

Abraham is promised a son when he was in his 80s.  Sarah couldn’t believe that she would conceive and birth a child at her ripe age.  As you read this it is almost impossible not to read this without some judgement against Sarah and her skepticism.  In order to think more practically and with a little more perspective, I think about how I would respond in this same circumstance.  The truth is that she is better than I am.  I would be just as skeptical and much less motivated.  I do think that I would believe it, nor would I desire to parent a child in my 80s.  At least she took the parenting role seriously.

Anyway, since she does not believe her ability to birth, she assigns her servant, Hagar, to be a second wife to Abraham and to become pregnant.  Once Hagar and Abraham conceive a child together the happy little family is faced with jealousy, resentment, and spite.  Sarah abuses Hagar and chases her off into the wilderness.

It is here that the angel of LORD shows up, gives her direction, gives her comfort, and makes her a promise regarding the son that she is carrying.  This is when she says the words that I am focusing on in this devotion, “You are the God who sees me.”  What an awesome story.  Hagar was a helpless pawn in this crazy scenario between God, Abraham, and Sarah.  She was a servant.  She had no say in the matter.  She was a possession.  She had no way of living, no way of supporting herself, outside of her role as a maid servant to Sarah.

She was alone and scared.  Imagine the thoughts of a pregnant single woman, in a culture that devalued women to the place of possessions.  Abraham and Sarah were simply trying to find God’s plan and purpose.  They missed the mark and Hagar gets wounded, potentially critically, in the process.  Hagar was not the purpose and plan of God concerning His promise to Abraham of becoming a father of many nations.

So God sees her.  He doesn’t overlook her.  He takes notice and account of her life.  He is aware.  He is the God who sees her and engaged himself in her circumstances.  He drew near, comforted, and directed because He saw her.

APPLICATION:

There are some times that we are lost in the shuffle here on earth.  People “more important” than us, doing “more important” things than us can walk right thru us.  In the name of ministry they can make decisions that hurt us.  It does not make them mean or bad - just a little too wrapped up in their own pursuit that they forget how it effects others.  It is just a fact and a reality.  It happens.  And when it does, God sees.  He draws near.  He comforts.  He directs.  He gives us promises that remind us of our own significance in His plan and purpose for the world we live in.  We truly perform before an audience of one.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you that you see the fearful, the broken hearted, and the needy.  You make wrong things right.  You see and you engage yourself in the happenings of my life and I am forever grateful.  Thank you Lord Jesus!  AMEN!