Words of Encouragement

We come to give honor to God because he is worthy of all praise.

MONDAY
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet." In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. - Hebrews 2:5-8

Christ in Christmas. C is for care. We have been looking at ways we can be different this holiday season.  This week let us look at how we can continue to show our gratitude for God's gift. The scripture today reminds us that God cares so much for us.  The scripture is quoting from the Psalm 8:4-6 when it ask who is man that god cares for him. God's care for us was shown in Jesus coming to be amongst us.  We tend to look forward to Easter and that is good.  Yet there would be not Easter had Jesus not first come.  So as we think about Christmas in our time with God this week, let us think about how Christmas is a reminder of the care of God.  God cares enough for us to prepare a way for us.

Prayer: Lord you care for us.  We are thankful for your care.  This great care you show unto us exhibits itself through your gift of Christ.  You cared enough for us to send us Jesus.  Help me this week to share your care for someone else.  Help me to present to someone just how much you care for them.


TUESDAY
in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. - Psalm 25:2-4

H is for Hope. The psalmist shows us that we can trust in God and when we do we can have hope.  We do not have to be put to shame for trusting in the Lord.  This hope comes when we trust in God and his way and plans.  The main plan God wants us to follow is the gift of his Son. This Christmas there are some that have lost hope.  Their are some whose current situations have them feeling as if things are not going to get better.  What people need today is hope.  Not hope in temporary things, but a lasting hope in the eternal God. In our time with God let us ask him these questions: (1) how can I offer your hope to someone that is without hope? (2) How should I pray for those that have lost hope?
 
Prayer: Lord today we are thankful to you for giving us a hope that will last.  This hope is not dependant on our situations but on you.  Lord we also ask that you would help us offer to someone else the gift of hope that comes from trusting in you.
 
WEDNESDAY
 The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:27-29

R is for Reverence. This scripture calls for us to be reminded that those things that can be shaken are being removed.  That which cannot be shaken is the kingdom of God.  We are told then, to be thankful and worship God with reverence and awe.  There are many people today that are looking for something that will not be shaken.  They just do not know where to look.  They are looking in the kinds of relationships they can have, or their jobs or their financial stability.  Those things will be shaken so that we can see that which cannot.  This season let us look how we can honor God as we show others where they can find that which is unshakable.

Prayer: Lord today we thank you for your gift to us so that we can have an unshakable hope in you.  Help us to reverence you in our worship and in all that we do.  Help us also to show others the way to you.  Help us to be like the star that the wise men followed.  Help us light the path straight to you.

THURSDAY
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. - Acts 17:27-29

I is for in Him. God created mankind.  Through Christ all that was created was done through him.  he did this so that men would seek to find God.  Why do we need to find God?  God is not lost but we are.  He is there waiting for us to seek him and when we find him we then truly find ourselves.  For in him we live and move and have our being.  In other words we cannot live a life for God, nor can we move in freedom without the gift that comes through Christ. There are people you know and interact with each day that are not really living.  They are like an empty shell.  They need to have the life that can only come from a relationship with God.  So this week reach out to those that you see and offer them the hope of a live in him.

Prayer: Lord today I thank you that I have life in you.  Without my relationship with you I would be lost.  I could not move or live. I thank you for the gift of Christmas.  Help me to show my love for you as I show someone else how they too can have a line in you.

FRIDAY
I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. - Isaiah 43:11

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. - Psalm 9:9-11

S is for Savior and T is for Trust. The scripture in Isaiah talks about the Lord being the only savior.  Now you may say he is only speaking about God and not Jesus.  Yet if we understand that God is the Father and the Son we understand this is in fact talking to us about Jesus.  This one verse tells us that there is no other way of salvation but through Jesus.  The next scripture tells us to trust in God.  God is our refuge and a place of strength in times of trouble.  Those who know God by name can trust in him and sing his praises.  The key to our understanding is it is through Jesus that we are able to have fellowship with God and have trust in him.  There is someone waiting for you to tell them about the savior and that they too can trust him in and find their hope in him. It is through Jesus they will find their true reason for life and they can have their movement in him.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for the savior you sent to us to draw us to you.  We also thank you for being trustworthy.  We can trust in you to care for us because we know you are a God.

The Week In Review

The New Testament Church

Written March 29, 2007

The author, Gilbert W. Stafford, in his book, Theology for Disciples, gives reference to idealistic and realistic views of the New Testament Church. The question is how can these ideas help bring renewal to the contemporary Church? When these ideas are coupled together, they can be useful for the contemporary church today because they can help better define her goals and to see her areas of need.


Stafford first states that the Gospels are placed at the beginning of the New Testament to signify the priority that the early church placed on discipleship as the basic category for understanding the nature of the church. The church as Stafford points out was called many names, such as the people of God. He explains how these ideas were to be enacted within the body of believers.

His first definition of the church as the body of Christ placed the accent on the church as the ongoing means by which the risen, ascended, reigning, and coming Lord makes himself known in history between his first and second advent (160). In other words, the church is to have a role in the mission of presenting Christ’s redemptive power to the unsaved.

His second definition is that the church is a place where the reconciled come together. Those that are both reconciled with God and with each other. It is the place where God’s presence is on earth. The third definition of the church is as the people of God, with the accent on its vocation.

Therefore, the idealistic view of the church is it is a fellowship of those who trust in Christ. It is the people of the new covenant linked to those of the Old Testament. They are a group of believers devoting to growing in Christ. It is a body of divine grace for the edification of believers and for blessing all. It is an expression of God’s mission to the world. It is also the community of believers waiting for Christ’s return.

This idealistic view however when placed alongside the realistic picture of the church, it does not always live up to the idealistic idea. The New Testament church had struggles, corruption and deficiencies within its structure as it attempted to grow and spread the gospel.

While fellowship was important some fell short and problems arose such as those that wanted believers to obey the laws (such as circumcision). There were some devoted to growing in Christ, but there was also a problem for example of sexual sins that Paul had to address that was taking place within the church. The church was to be an organism of divine grace for the edification of believers, but there was a time the church was a stumbling block to believers (for example the debate of eating meat used within idol worship ceremonies). There were problems with gifts and confusion about usage of tongues. The church should have been an expression of God’s mission to the world, but the Asian churches were lacking in missionary zeal.

One of the greatest examples the New Testament church can be to the contemporary church is it was not perfect but it was in the process of growing into what God was calling the church to be. Even in her state of lack, God still added to the church daily. Stafford explains that the view of the idealistic is that the church is pure, spotless, blameless, holy and concerned only with the salvation of people and the glory of God. On the other hand the realist sees the church as too human, harsh, intolerant full of every kind of failing.

Instead, the church today needs to take a blend of both to help the church become what it should be. The church is the body of Christ, but it is in the process of growing and therefore has many shortcomings. The church can however still find comfort in knowing that as she is becoming, God is still adding to the church as he sees fit. It calls for the church today to view itself as a body of believers in need of divine guidance, directing and renewing to continue to grow into what God is calling her to be. The church needs to hear again, and again her purpose, her mission and her calling so that she can continue to be corrected when she goes astray from her mission so that with a loving hand the reality of what is taking place is being joined with the idea of what she can become.

The Week In Review

Theology of Ministry – part 1 (Written 11/23/07)

When one speaks of ministry, several possible scenarios may come to mind. Most of those scenarios have to do with the individual and their particular calling; however, what should come to mind first is God. Ministry begins with God’s activity in the life of the individual and one should look at this calling from that perspective to understand the significant role God wants to play in the life of the minister. If ministry is examined from the understanding that it starts with God, then what does this imply to the individual in terms of what you “do” in ministry? These questions must be addressed before one can do what a particular calling requires.


The author of the book, Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions, Gailyn Van Rheenen, illuminates an important point regarding ministry or as he labels it, missions. In the text he states, “Mission does not originate with human sources, for ultimately it is not a human enterprise” (14). This is a biblical truth, which is stated in this manner, “ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16).


When one examines this scripture it speaks of God being the initiator of the mission. Van Rheenen reiterates this point when he writes, “God the originator of the mission of deliverance, then sought a person to carry out his mission” (15). He sums up the mission in this way, God is the originator of the mission, Jesus Christ enacted the mission, the Holy Spirit gives power to the mission the church (each of us individually) carries the mission and the world hears the mission (18).

Since this mission is originated with God there are some significant points that should be understood. According to Van Rheenen, the mission first flows from God to us and does not originate in us. Since the mission is from God, he will equip and empower the believer. The Holy Spirit gives power for the mission that God originated and Jesus came and enacted. The Spirit also gives the minister and/or pastor the freedom to understand themselves in the sovereignty of God.

The minister or pastor that starts with the understanding that this mission or ministry is God’s can focus on God and not on self. Paul warns us of this in scripture when he writes, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). I must always contend to keep my focus on God so that I do not lose the heart of the calling, which is to do the mandate of God.

With this understanding and with great vigilance, I set about being careful as the scripture says, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him” (John 7:18). This scripture implies to me that what I do in ministry must always, without fail, line up with what God is calling me to do. It does not matter how good an idea may sound, I must still seek God’s guidance to see if this is his directive.

God is the originator of the mission; therefore he knows what is needed in every situation. I could gain a false sense of comfort if I do things right and begin to rely on my own understanding, but this is not wisdom at work in my life. God’s word warns against relying on my thoughts. I can find comfort in any area of uncertainty by knowing that since this is God’s mission, it will succeed. I must, however, be willing to understand success from God’s perspective. His success may not mean that I will pastor a large congregation or that I will be well known and sought out to speak at big events and important functions. It might mean that I am a pastor that is obedient to God and not known by anyone other than those I lead. Yet, if this is the mission God is calling me to, then I can go forward with confidence that it will be accomplished.

This mission (ministry) or work of God is to reconcile sinful men and women to himself. Christ is the center of this message and as one that accepts that mission I must always seek to place God center stage of everything I do. This is the significance of ministry beginning with God. If it begins with God and stays focused on God then a pastor/minister is able to be successful in taking the next step of now walking in the special call upon his/her life.

Cited Work

Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

Van Rheenen, Gailyn. Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

Words of Encouragement

My Time With God

MONDAY

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

God's Plan. As I sit down each Saturday morning to prepare "The Words of Encouragement", I seek God to find out what he wants us to hear from him.  This week, we will take time to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season.

This scripture is from the prophet Jeremiah to the disobedient people of God.  He has told them again and again about God's requirement for them to change. He also gives them this encouragement to let them know that God has a plan for them.

God is telling them through Jeremiah that this correction on your life is not to destroy you but to correct you and to give you a plan that will prosper you, give you a future and a hope.  We can take this scripture today and begin to ask God, what is it that you require of me?  God what must I do to line up with the plans you have for my life? As we prepare for this season let us take the time to ask these questions: (1) What is your plan for my life? (2) What must I do so that someone can see Christ in me during this time like they have never seen you before?

Prayer: Lord if my own disobedience has caused me to move from the place you have called me to, help me to turn back to your way.  I thank you that you have a plan for me.  During this season we celebrate let us see your plan for our lives and walk in it.

TUESDAY

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. - 2 Corinthians 7:1

Holiness. One of the most important things we can seek during our time with God is a purified life.  God is calling for our lives to be set aside from whatever would contaminate body and spirit.

I went shopping on "Black Friday".  I was going because I wanted to get a special gift for my husband.  We went to Walmart and as soon as we went in, we turned around and went back out the door.  We ended up going to Target to get what I wanted.  What I saw and heard bothered me.  I saw people pushing, cursing and shouting at others.  I heard about someone being slapped.  I also saw on the news about the man that was trampled and killed at Walmart in New York.  Is this Walmart's fault or is there something wrong with us?  We cannot blame these activities only on the "unsaved" because believers too are sometimes caught up in the rush as well.  So what did I learn from this.  I asked, what does any of these have to do with Christmas?

I'm not saying we should not buy gifts and share this time with our family but let us not become so caught up in the modernity of our world. Holiness is what we need to exhibit even when we find ourselves in our modern world situations.  Anything that would draw away from Christ in Christmas needs to be those things that we stay away from.  Let us ask ourselves some questions in our time with God. (1) How do I show your holy presence to those around me? (2) what things should I do to allow you to purify me and draw me closer to what you are calling me to be?

Prayer: Lord help me to live holy.  Help me during this season to exhibit attributes that reflect you at work, at school or wherever you send me.  Help me not to show the selfishness of modernity but the holiness of you.

WEDNESDAY

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? - James 2:15-16

Service. God gives so much into our lives.  He opens up provisions for us and he does it to show us his love.  If God is willing to show his love for us, then he requires us to show our love for others.  That may call for us to be willing to sacrifice for others even in the midst of our needs. We often buy presents for those we love but how often do we really stop and ask God, who do I need to support during this season to reflect your love?  We need to ask ourselves some questions during our time with God. (1) Do I support your people as you desire? (2) What is my special assignment for this Christmas to show someone to the savior?

Prayer: Lord you my provision.  Your love for me is evident every day of my life.  Lord help me to give back out of the same love.  Help me to be of service to your purpose and your people.  Help me not only to pray for the needs of others but help me to be actively involved in the solution.  This season help me make a difference to someone that is losing hope.  Help me to restore someone to a place of hopefulness in you.

THURSDAY

 In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. - 2 Chronicles 31:21

Worship. People sometimes become comfortable trusting in what they know.  We all do it.  We have our routines that we follow every day.  If something comes along and changes those routines we become flustered or upset.  Yet, we do not realize that it is God's hand that allows the upset.  Why does he doe it?  He wants us to remember that he is still in control.  That is what happens with our worship and our time of corporate worship.  We become comfortable in doing what we know and if anything comes along and changes that we become flustered. What we do is we instead try to keep things under our own control and in doing so, we hinder God's Spirit.

What we need to do instead is as the scripture says, we need to wholeheartedly seek God's direction.  In everything we do we should ask God what does he require of us?  When we do that we may be surprised at the direction he may take us.  He may call for us to change things up or he may call for us to pray more, sing more and simply worship more.  In my time with God I should seek to find out what God is requiring of me in my personal worship as well as my time with the body of believers.  The question I should ask myself are: (1) What can I do in my time alone with you to prepare my heart for corporate worship? (2) Do I have the right attitude regarding worship when I come together with the body? (3) How can my yielding myself completely help to influence others to do the same?

Prayer: Lord, I give you my heart.  I give you my complete self.  There is no part of myself that I hold apart from you.  I live for you alone.  Every breath I take, ever moment is for you.  I was created to worship you.  Lord help me during my time with you to have a greater understanding of how to worship you.  Help us as a body to worship you more completely.  When we do we will prosper in our spirits, in our love and in our life.

FRIDAY

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. - Psalm 145:4-5

Witness. We know this can be the busiest time of the year with parties, family and church gatherings and so much more. Yet it is also one of the most important times of the year (along with Easter) that we can share our testimony.  During this season can we plan to tell someone about the gift of Christ?  We can tell but even more importantly we can exhibit in our lives the truth of or salvation.  Are we loving?  Are we caring?  Do people see us and see Jesus?  Or are we like the frantic crowd of people so set on getting what they want that the do not take the time to see who they are trampling under foot?  Let us speak of the glorious splendor of our savior.  In your time with God ask these questions, (1) Open up to me this day who I can tell about you. (2) Who have you given me as an assignment that I have ignored? (3) What are you requiring from me during that season different from any other time of the year?

Prayer: Lord today help me to be a witness to someone coming behind.  Help me tell someone about the goodness of you.  Help me to spread cheer to the overworked cashier. Help me to say thank you to the unappreciated teacher.  Help me during this time to take my eyes off the pursuit of my own ideas and to have a vision that sees the world your way.  Help me to be the avenue that the gift of light is given to someone that is grappling in the darkness.

The Week in Review

Some seek status, some seek power, some seek financial success. However our motivation should be to seek Jesus only.

Temptations that Affect the Christian Leader – And How to Overcome Them

What is temptation? For the Christian leader, it is anything that pulls one away from being an effective leader by God’s standards. There are some temptations that are very easy to see and many do well that keep away from them. However, there are those temptations that can weave their way in and cause decline without an individual realizing it. Those are temptations such as personal recognition, pursuit of material or financial success and power or control from being in a place of authority. How is the individual leader to resist these temptations? Jesus mirrors for the Christian leader the steps to be successful when facing these and other temptations.


Joseph M. Stowell (1994) stated, “Ministry leadership is not a popularity contest, and those who lead to please may soon find themselves looking for another flock to shepherd.” (p. 97) Personal recognition or popularity is one of the snares that face the Christian leader. Some may be drawn into this snare by believing that it is important to please people and be on the side of the majority so they can be successful leaders. This, however, will not help the leader be God’s leader.

Jesus when faced with the devil’s temptations used the power of the word of God to combat his tricks. The scripture states:

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:3-4)

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1989) states, “Jesus’ first temptation was to be relevant: to turn stones into bread.” (p. 30) While being relevant may be looked at as something wonderful, Jesus did not try to prove his worth to gain popularity or status. His response to the devil’s temptation was to speak the word of God against the tempter. This is the same defense that will be effective for the Christian leader. When one is tempted to be relevant he must remember that it is about God and not about personal success. The word of God is the shield against these temptations.

“One of the main sufferings experienced in the ministry is that of low self-esteem. Many priests and ministers today increasingly perceive themselves as having very little impact.” (Nouwen, p. 31) This is how the enemy uses the pursuit of personal recognition to trick many. One begins to feel relevant when he receives the praise of men. Jesus shows that the focus should be on the Father and he will establish one’s self worth.

The second temptation is the pursuit of material or financial success. John McArthur (2005) expounds on Paul’s words when he writes:

“Another more sinister pitfall to avoid is doing the work of the ministry for sordid gain. ‘I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes,’ Paul said to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:33). ‘No one can serve two masters,’ Jesus declared, ‘for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon’ (Matt. 6:24). This is doubly true of pastors, whom God requires to be ‘free from the love of money’” (p. 24)

McArthur was speaking about pastors, but this statement can be applied to any Christian leader. God requires his leaders to follow him and not the pursuit of selfish gain. Jesus’ response to the devil’s snare of personal gain was to rebuke his trickery with the truth of God’s word. The devil tried to trick Jesus by telling him to wait for God’s angels to catch him after he threw himself down from the a pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:5-7). While this scripture does not speak to money in particular, it speaks to a mindset of deserving something. The devil was trying to tempt Jesus by making him think he deserved God’s angels to care for his needs. When the leader believes he or she deserves money or material gain, he can fall prey to the same trick Satan tried to tempt Jesus with; specifically an attitude of being owed something. Jesus says do not tempt God.

The final temptation is the lure of power:

“The problem with a platform of assumed authority is that the shepherd moves beyond the authority of the Word and seeks to exercise unchallenged personal authority and control in preferential issues and matters of church policy. Real authority is given, not gotten. Every time we grab for it, problems inevitably follow.” (Stowell, p. 100)


When leaders seek the power or authority, they allow themselves to become prideful. The humble leader realizes they are being used as a vessel for God. Jesus realized this when he was tempted:

“Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:8-10)

Satan tried to tempt Jesus with the promise that he would have all the power. Jesus rebuked the devil and affirmed God’s word that only God should be worshipped. When the Christian leader looks to oneself to be powerful, they are looking for the honor and authority to be given to them.

The question then is how did Jesus overcome all these temptations? Jesus was able to overcome all these temptations because he took time in prayer and fasting to take control over the flesh. Jesus also spoke the word against those thoughts that the enemy would try to bring. Jesus knew that the battle starts in the mind and the word is the only effective weapon against that. He also had to have hidden the word in his heart to be able to speak it so freely. This is a reminder that one must hide the word in their heart so they will not sin against God.

These steps help the leader to stay humble before God. The humbled leader does not seek personal recognition but turns to promoting God. The humble leader speaks, preaches or leads not because of what will be gained personally, but because it will help others to follow God. The humble leader resists the temptation to seek for oneself the honor of “king” or “ruler” by always seeking the true sovereignty of God. When the Christian leader hides the word of God in their heart, those lures that would destroy can be overcome. The Christian leader can overcome, because God’s Spirit will empower them. The Christian leader can be an overcomer because Jesus already overcame the world.

Reference List

MacArthur, John. (2005). Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically.
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Nouwen, Henri J.M. (1989). In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

Stowell, Joseph M. (1994). Shepherding The Church: Effective Leadership in a Changing Culture. Chicago, IL: Moody Press.


Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. (1988). The Thompson chain-reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc.

The Week in Review

Trust – What Grounds the Effective Leader?

The author John C. Maxwell (1998) writes about the importance of trust in leadership. One must explore his meaning to understand why trust is vital for the leader. It is also important to understand the meaning so that one can recover if that trust has been broken. Nouwen’s concepts of relevance and contemplative prayer have a vital contribution that can help the leader understand Maxwell’s concept of trust from a Christian perspective. After the examination of these concepts, I inspect myself regarding the temptation to be relevant based on Nouwen’s definition. Finally, how can these principles be applied to help me grow and move from the place of seeking relevancy?


John C. Maxwell (1998) explains the concept of trust as being the solid ground. When a leader makes poor decisions in his leadership role, he places himself in a shaky situation, losing that solid ground or firm foundation. Maxwell goes further to explain how the leader builds that solid ground. He uses a bank or savings analogy. He states:


“Each time you make a good leadership decision, it puts change into your pocket. Each time you make a poor one, you have to pay out some of your change to the people. Every leader has a certain amount of change in his pocket when he starts in a new leadership position. From then on, he either builds up his change or pays it out. If he makes one bad decision, after another, he keeps paying out change. Then one day, after making one last bad decision, he is going to reach into his pocket and realize he is out of change.” (p. 57)


The meaning of the change or money example refers to how one builds trust among her people. If she is making good decisions and is mindful of those she affects, she builds up her change in her bank. If she makes one bad decision after another, she spends her change and in time will run out completely. Once the change is gone, the leader has lost trust among her people. This tendency to make one bad decision after another speaks to the leaders character. “Character makes trust possible” (Maxwell, p. 58).


If a leader’s character is questionable others do not want to follow. Maxwell explains further when he states:

“With good character, the longer the trip is, the better it seems. But if your character is flawed, the longer the trip is, the worse it gets. Why? Because no one enjoys spending time with someone he doesn’t trust.” (p. 59)

This temptation to make decisions without thought or efforts of others is in part one that Henri J.M. Nouwen (1989) calls the temptation to be relevant. The temptation to be relevant or important happens when one looks to the things they can do or positions they have held to make a difference to others. Nouwen faced this when he moved to a place where none of the things he had done before mattered to those that he would now lead. He states:

The first thing that struck me when I came to live in a house with mentally handicapped people was there liking or disliking me had absolutely nothing to do with any of the many useful things I had done until then…These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self – the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things – and forced me to reclaim the unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.” (p. 27-28)

Nouwen believes that leaders of the future are called to give up the pursuit of relevancy and to be completely vulnerable, offering that part of themselves to those they will lead. The leader instead must do this through contemplative prayer. This means thoughtful, reflective prayer in which one seeks what God requires for him to show his love of God. The leader must question his motives to see if they align with God’s direction for the leader.

When the leader is able to reflect in this way, he is able to build up his change or money as Maxwell states. The leader’s change is increased because the focus is not on self-importance but what is important for those that he leads. Those being led will then be able to see the character of their leader and that will allow the trust to grow. If this type of leader continues to add to his bank, when he is faced with a breaking of trust he has a better chance of rebuilding it.


This is the reason Maxwell was able to restore trust with his people when he made a bad decision. Maxwell tells of his own situation, when he states:


A leader who keeps making good decisions and keeps recording wins for the organization builds up his change. Then even if he makes a huge blunder, he can still have plenty of change left over. That’s the kind of history I had at Skyline, which is why I was able to rebuild trust with the people very quickly.” (p. 57)


Maxwell also did something very important to restore the breaking of trust; he acknowledged his selfishness in his decision. He realized that he had tried to be relevant in his decisions. He had made decisions without the input of anyone else. His relationship with God however helped him to quickly realize he had made a mistake. This is the importance that Nouwen’s concept of contemplative prayer plays in the life of the leader. If one is always seeking God’s direction, when that direction is not followed, one is quickly convicted of that error in judgment. Maxwell was able to go back to his people and apologize for the error and they were able to forgive what he had done.

In my own ministry, I have been tempted to be relevant. There are times when I believe I can make decisions or implement things that would be great, but then I have to stop myself and do as Nouwen states, have a time of contemplative prayer. I have to ask myself the question of why? Is it important for me or is it important for those that I lead? Is this the direction God wants me to go? Is this his will or is it for my self-gratification? Is it time or do I need to wait? The most difficult thing to overcome is waiting for things to happen. I feel they should be happening right now, but God is showing me that it is better to follow his plan and allow him to bring about change in his time. When I do that, I allow myself to continue to build up my change.


I build up my change by being willing to show patience with things, people and situations. I build up my change when I continue to listen to God and allow his perfect will to be fulfilled. I build up change so that others trust me. They trust that I will be in my place in the good or the bad. Trust is important for the effective leader. One is grounded or on solid footing when one first places trust in God to lead, and then follows that leading. I find this to be the vital key for my success in this ministry. I have to be grounded in God as my leader. He leads and guides me and I must allow him full access. As I follow he is able to build my character. If I am able to help someone else by my character, then not only does it build up my change with people, but it builds up my riches with my Father in heaven.

Reference List

Maxwell, John C. (1989). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People will Follow You. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Nouwen, Henri J.M. (1989). In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

Words of Encouragement

In the cell group I lead we did a study from the book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss "Lies Women Believe: and the Truth that set's them Free."  (I would suggest you purchase this book if you do not have it).  This week I wanted to share some of the things we learned that might help you in your walk.

MONDAY
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. - 2 Corinthians 4:17

The Lie - God should fix all my problems
The Truth - God desires more to glorify himself in us, even if that means he has to allow us to face some difficulties to accomplish it. This sometimes is difficult for us to accept.  We believe that as followers of Christ we should not have to go through difficult times that everything will be good.  You hear the catch phrases, "too blessed to be stressed" (the funny thing is the woman that created this isn't even a Christian, but that's another thing). If we understand the truth of God's word we understand that we will go through difficulties but we have the assurance of God that we will not be alone, he will be with us every step of the way.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for being with us through everything we face.  You are good in the good time but you are also good our bad times.  You are always the same.  Help us to understand that we do not have to fret if we go through difficulties.  Help us to know you are only using our difficulties to grow us more into the image of your Son. Help us today to reflect Jesus.


TUESDAY
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. - Romans 6:14

The Lie - I cannot walk in consistent victory over sin.
The Truth - If I am a child of God I do not have to sin.  God's perfect gift of his Son freed us from sin.  It did not stop there, however.  God's Spirit was given to us to help us follow the things of God.  In our selves we could not walk victoriously.  The truth is we are now free and we can live for Christ because the Spirit equips us to.  If you are tempted or drawn away we cannot say it is because of lack in God's power but it is our own selfishness that draws us away from what is right before God.  We have been given the tools to stand and the way out of those temptations.

Prayer: Lord today forgive me for any sinful act you have shown me in my life.  Then I ask that you would strengthen me and help me to walk in the truth that I do not have to give in to sin.  Help me to walk freely and victoriously as you have made available to me.  Help me to live by the Spirit and to walk by the Spirit.  Help me to let go of trusting in my own ideas and myself.  Help me to look like you Son.


WEDNESDAY
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. - Psalm 5:3

The Lie - I can make it without consistent time in the Word and in prayer.
The Truth - It is impossible for me to be what God wants without developing a relationship with him.  I need to pray and to seek him in his word.  How else will I know his will?  How else will I know if I am lining up with what he requires?  If I do not take the time to seek him I will become weak.  My Spirit man will not be able to overcome the temptations of flesh.  This feeds into the second lie we talked about yesterday.  You will not be able to overcome sin in you life if God is not the priority of your life.  Nothing can take the number one place of him otherwise you find yourself spiritually dying.

Prayer: Lord today help me to seek your priority for my day.  What do you require me to do?  I sometimes create my own schedule without seeking you forgive me for that. Help me from this day forth to seek you first and then you will add all else that needs to be added.  Help me to look more like you Son who rose early to seek you and to be about his Fathers will.


THURSDAY
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Lie - I cannot control my emotions.
The Truth - I do not have to be controlled by my emotions.  I can make the choice to give thanks to God in all my circumstances good or bad.  I can choose to follow God with a joyful heart even if my emotions are raging and I am hurting.  Is it easy?  Not at all, but it can be done.  This is why we can rejoice we do not have to be alone in the struggles we face.  We can take captive every imagination.  We can take captive every emotion.  In ourselves?  No.  With the power of the Holy Spirit? Yes!  God will give us what we need so that our raging emotions can be placed under control.  So we can no longer use the excuse someone made me mad so I have a right to be where I am.  Some one may anger you but you have to decide how you will respond.  Will your flesh show or will you look like God's Son?

Prayer: Lord help me today.  I have allowed at times my anger to be victorious in my life but I do not want that to happen again. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances.  Even if I simply give thanks that I did not lose my temper but took it under control.  Help me Lord to reflect Jesus in all that I do even where my emotions are concerned.


FRIDAY
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. - Luke 6:45

The Lie - If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
The Truth - My circumstances do not make me what I am they only reveal who I am. The scripture says that if good things are stored in the heart they will come out.  If evil things that is what will flow forth from our hearts.  What this tells us is that our situations and circumstances simply show us who we really are.  It will reveal what is hidden in our hearts.  If I become frustrated and untrusting when my finances are low that comes from my heart.  May then we should look at our circumstances differently.  If we remember earlier this week we looked at the lie that God should take care of all our problems.  May he is allowing this problem because he needs it to reveal to you that there is untrust in your heart towards him.  When you learn to trust him he very well may deliver you from the problem.  I think he will not deliver you until he has glorified himself through what has been removed from your heart.  We must begin to see ourselves through our circumstances for who we are and then who do we want to become?  Is my "Jesus" showing?

Prayer: Lord we thank you that even in the midst of difficult situations you use them to remove those things that are evil or unlike you.  You help them to draw us closer to you and to reveal who we are under pressure.  It is wonderful to think we are holy in the good time, but you want to show us what we are really like through the bad times.  Help us to give thanks in all things and at all times.  Help us to see that you want to show us we can have control over our emotions, over sin and any other lie that keeps us from drawing closer to you.  Set us free with your truth so we can look like your Son, Jesus.