In my days observing leaders, I have identified four main groups.
Cop-outs
These people set no goals and make no decisions.
Holdouts
These people have beautiful dreams, but they are afraid to respond to challenges because they lack the self-confidence to overcome difficulties.
Dropouts
These individuals clearly define their goals, and, in the beginning, they work hard to make their dreams come true. However, when the going gets tough, they quit.
All-Outs
These are the stars. They want to shine out as an inspiration to others. Once all-outs have set their goals, they never quit. Even when the price gets high and the challenges mount, they're dedicated. Their can-do attitudes carry them to greatness.
Here are 10 keys to cultivating a can-do attitude.
Key #1: Disown Your Helplessness
Can-do people aggressively pursue solutions, and in the process, uncover creative solutions others never even try to find. Can-do leaders take responsibility for the future, whereas lesser leaders blame circumstances or other people when facing roadblocks. Rather than wallowing in helplessness, can-do leaders search diligently to overcome the obstacles in front of them.
Key #2: Take the Bull by the Horns
Can-do people are fearless. They go straight to the source of their solution. Their every effort commands attention as they wrestle a problem to the ground with expediency. I have discovered that people with a can-do attitude have an aggressiveness about them. They take the bull by the horns. When they enter into the arena of action, they don't wait, they initiate.
Key #3: Enter the No Whining Zone
Can-do people abstain from complaining. They recognize its futility and guard their minds and mouths against indulging in this time-wasting activity. As George Washington Carver observed, "Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses."
Key #4: Put On Another's Pair of Shoes
Can-do people empathize with others. They attempt to see any predicament from the other person's perspective in order to make the best decisions. In my book Winning with People, one of the 25 People Principles is the Exchange Principle, which says that instead of putting others in their place, we must put ourselves in their place.
Leaders see the world from their perspective and others' perspectives. They use their own perspective to give direction, and they use others' perspectives to forge relational connection. Both direction and connection are indispensable to taking the team on a successful journey.
Key #5: Nurture Your Passion
Can-do people are immune to burnout. They love what they do because they've learned how to fuel the fire that keeps them moving. In leadership, the prize is not given to the person who's the smartest, nor to the person with the advantages in resources and position, but to the person with passion.
Key #6: Walk the Second Mile
Can-do people exceed expectations. While others settle for an acceptable solution, they aren't satisfied until they have achieved the unimagined. They set expectations for themselves higher than what is dictated by the people or situations around them.
Key #7: Quit Stewing and Start Doing
Can-do people take action. While others are crippled by worry, fear, and anxiety, they have the fortitude to press forward. The perfect moment when all is safe and assured may never arrive, so why wait for it? Can-do leaders take risks.
Key #8: Go With the Flow
Can-do people can adjust to change. They don't get caught griping about an unexpected curve in the road. They accept transition with an optimistic outlook. They realize it's less important what happens TO them, than it is what happens IN them.
Key #9: Follow Through to the End
Can-do people not only initiate, they finish. They are self-starters with the capacity to close the deal.
Key #10: Expect a Return as a Result of Your Commitment
If you make an all-out commitment with a can-do attitude, expect a return. Passionate commitment is contagious, and resources follow resolve. Committed leaders will reap rewards and find open doors as others are drawn to the excitement and energy emanating from them.
Monday, September 6, 2010
8 ways to be a more positive leader
1. Combine optimism and perseverance.
The apostle Paul provides an excellent model of optimism and perseverance. He expanded Christianity to cities that could be hostile and unwelcoming. Yet, Paul remained faithful, confident, and patient. In Acts 20:22, 23 he explained the difficulties he faced, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city . . . hardships are facing me.”
2. See everyone as a diamond in the rough.
There are no poor performers, only poor leaders who fail to find ways of helping others succeed. They fail to see the potential in every person, leaving that potential untapped.
Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach once spoke to members of Manhattan’s Diamond Dealers Club. During a question-and-answer period, Carlbach was asked why he wasted so much of his time with people who were homeless, unemployed, addicted to drugs, and mentally ill. Carlbach responded by asking whether anyone there had ever accidentally thrown out a million-dollar diamond in the rough. “Never!” shouted the group. “An expert would know the worth of a stone he held in his hand.”
Carlbach then educated his audience: “I’ll let you in on a little secret, my friends. I’m also an expert on diamonds. I walk the streets every day, and all I see are the most precious diamonds walking past me. Some of them you have to pick up from the gutter and polish a bit. But once you do, oh how they shine! So you see, the most important thing you have to know in life is that everyone, everyone, is a diamond in the rough.”
3. Be a source of inspiration.
Follow the example of Job, who described himself this way: “I rescued the poor who cried for help. . . . I made the widow’s heart sing. . . . I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger” (Job 29:12-16).
Reach out to those who are struggling. When appropriate, share your wisdom. Offer insights you have gleaned along the way. Nurture those around you so they expand, enlarge, grow, and do more than they ever thought they could do.
John Erskine was a highly regarded educator, musician, and novelist. Erskine said he learned one of the most valuable lessons of his life when he was studying piano at age 14. His teacher asked, “How many times a week do you practice and how long do you practice each time?” Erskine said he tried to practice one day for an hour or more.
“Don’t do that,” she responded. “When you grow up, time won’t come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them—five or 10 before school, after lunch, between chores. Spread your practice throughout the day and music will become a part of your life.”
Erskine acted upon this advice and became a concert pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic. Later he served as president of the Julliard School of Music and director of the Metropolitan Opera Association. He also went on to teach literature at Columbia University and wrote 45 books. His most famous, The Private Life of Helen of Troy, was written as he commuted to Columbia.
4. Remain balanced.
Sadly, some leaders operate with inflated egos. These types demand rather than command respect. No matter how high you rise or how important you become, remain a balanced person. The Bible reminds people to lead with a sense of humility. “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor” (Proverbs 25:27).
Joey Cheek won an Olympic gold medal for speed skating. When asked what he learned from winning the gold, his answer was instructive: “Keep things in perspective. I’ve seen the world and met amazing friends through my sport. But it’s not that big a deal. I mean, I skate around the ice in tights. What is important is what I do off the ice.”
5. Show respect for people around you.
Paul advised, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:2). Always speak and act respectfully to those around you. Your words and actions will show how much you value their contributions.
Consider the example of Katharine Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post. Although she led a powerful and influential newspaper in the nation’s capital, she did so with compassion, kindness, humility, and sincerity. Graham was highly regarded for the humble, respectful way she treated the paper’s employees.
Post columnist Richard Cohen tells of a hot, humid Sunday in July when he had just returned from the beach and took a taxi to the newspaper office. A tent had been erected on the Post’s parking lot. “It was for a company party, given for people whose names you never hear—those unby-
lined, non-TV-appearing types who take the ads or deliver the paper or maybe just clean the building.”
In the wrenching heat he saw Graham making her way toward the party. “She was old by then, and walking was difficult for her. She pushed her way up the ramp, moving in a laborious fashion. She had a farm in Virginia, a house in Georgetown, an apartment in New York, and most significantly that hideously hot day, a place on the water in Martha’s Vineyard. Yet here she was.” One of Graham’s great legacies was the way she treated everyone with respect, whether they were famous and powerful or unacknowledged and anonymous.
6. Give more than is expected.
Many people are looking out for No. 1—themselves. Be the person who looks out for Nos. 2, 3, and so on. Ask yourself, How can I give a little more to the people around me? What can I do to lighten their workload? Whom can I mentor? How can I provide the best effort? Go the extra mile on behalf of others.
This is the direct teaching of Jesus. “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. . . . If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:39, 41).
Consider the approach of David Morris, owner of Dillanos, a small Seattle-based coffee roasting company. Once when the United Parcel Service went on strike, Morris rented a truck and drove 2,320 miles to deliver an order to a small client in Southern California. That small client has since grown into a large franchise and continues to expand. He has become Dillanos’s largest customer and has remained loyal to Morris because he went the second mile years earlier.
7. Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
Sadly, some leaders are quick to accept credit and even quicker to assign blame. The best leaders reverse that pattern.
President Richard Nixon advised, “A leader must give credit to a staffer for a job well done both personally and if possible, publicly as well. The best rule: Be generous in sharing credit with subordinates when an initiative succeeds and be prepared to take the blame if it fails.”
8. Maintain a sense of humor.
No one enjoys being around someone who is humorless, heartless, rigid, and unable to laugh or enjoy all aspects of life. People who take themselves less seriously are far more pleasant to associate with. No matter how daunting or serious your work, do it with a sense of lightness, merriment, and playfulness.
An Air Force sergeant was interviewing a young man whose military term was ending. The sergeant asked if the airman would consider reenlisting. “I wouldn’t reenlist if you made me a four-star general, gave me a million dollars and Miss America for a roommate!” the man seethed.
Obviously the sergeant had a sense of humor. On the form the sergeant simply wrote: “Airman is undecided.”
________
The apostle Paul provides an excellent model of optimism and perseverance. He expanded Christianity to cities that could be hostile and unwelcoming. Yet, Paul remained faithful, confident, and patient. In Acts 20:22, 23 he explained the difficulties he faced, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city . . . hardships are facing me.”
2. See everyone as a diamond in the rough.
There are no poor performers, only poor leaders who fail to find ways of helping others succeed. They fail to see the potential in every person, leaving that potential untapped.
Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach once spoke to members of Manhattan’s Diamond Dealers Club. During a question-and-answer period, Carlbach was asked why he wasted so much of his time with people who were homeless, unemployed, addicted to drugs, and mentally ill. Carlbach responded by asking whether anyone there had ever accidentally thrown out a million-dollar diamond in the rough. “Never!” shouted the group. “An expert would know the worth of a stone he held in his hand.”
Carlbach then educated his audience: “I’ll let you in on a little secret, my friends. I’m also an expert on diamonds. I walk the streets every day, and all I see are the most precious diamonds walking past me. Some of them you have to pick up from the gutter and polish a bit. But once you do, oh how they shine! So you see, the most important thing you have to know in life is that everyone, everyone, is a diamond in the rough.”
3. Be a source of inspiration.
Follow the example of Job, who described himself this way: “I rescued the poor who cried for help. . . . I made the widow’s heart sing. . . . I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger” (Job 29:12-16).
Reach out to those who are struggling. When appropriate, share your wisdom. Offer insights you have gleaned along the way. Nurture those around you so they expand, enlarge, grow, and do more than they ever thought they could do.
John Erskine was a highly regarded educator, musician, and novelist. Erskine said he learned one of the most valuable lessons of his life when he was studying piano at age 14. His teacher asked, “How many times a week do you practice and how long do you practice each time?” Erskine said he tried to practice one day for an hour or more.
“Don’t do that,” she responded. “When you grow up, time won’t come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them—five or 10 before school, after lunch, between chores. Spread your practice throughout the day and music will become a part of your life.”
Erskine acted upon this advice and became a concert pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic. Later he served as president of the Julliard School of Music and director of the Metropolitan Opera Association. He also went on to teach literature at Columbia University and wrote 45 books. His most famous, The Private Life of Helen of Troy, was written as he commuted to Columbia.
4. Remain balanced.
Sadly, some leaders operate with inflated egos. These types demand rather than command respect. No matter how high you rise or how important you become, remain a balanced person. The Bible reminds people to lead with a sense of humility. “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor” (Proverbs 25:27).
Joey Cheek won an Olympic gold medal for speed skating. When asked what he learned from winning the gold, his answer was instructive: “Keep things in perspective. I’ve seen the world and met amazing friends through my sport. But it’s not that big a deal. I mean, I skate around the ice in tights. What is important is what I do off the ice.”
5. Show respect for people around you.
Paul advised, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up” (Romans 15:2). Always speak and act respectfully to those around you. Your words and actions will show how much you value their contributions.
Consider the example of Katharine Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post. Although she led a powerful and influential newspaper in the nation’s capital, she did so with compassion, kindness, humility, and sincerity. Graham was highly regarded for the humble, respectful way she treated the paper’s employees.
Post columnist Richard Cohen tells of a hot, humid Sunday in July when he had just returned from the beach and took a taxi to the newspaper office. A tent had been erected on the Post’s parking lot. “It was for a company party, given for people whose names you never hear—those unby-
lined, non-TV-appearing types who take the ads or deliver the paper or maybe just clean the building.”
In the wrenching heat he saw Graham making her way toward the party. “She was old by then, and walking was difficult for her. She pushed her way up the ramp, moving in a laborious fashion. She had a farm in Virginia, a house in Georgetown, an apartment in New York, and most significantly that hideously hot day, a place on the water in Martha’s Vineyard. Yet here she was.” One of Graham’s great legacies was the way she treated everyone with respect, whether they were famous and powerful or unacknowledged and anonymous.
6. Give more than is expected.
Many people are looking out for No. 1—themselves. Be the person who looks out for Nos. 2, 3, and so on. Ask yourself, How can I give a little more to the people around me? What can I do to lighten their workload? Whom can I mentor? How can I provide the best effort? Go the extra mile on behalf of others.
This is the direct teaching of Jesus. “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. . . . If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:39, 41).
Consider the approach of David Morris, owner of Dillanos, a small Seattle-based coffee roasting company. Once when the United Parcel Service went on strike, Morris rented a truck and drove 2,320 miles to deliver an order to a small client in Southern California. That small client has since grown into a large franchise and continues to expand. He has become Dillanos’s largest customer and has remained loyal to Morris because he went the second mile years earlier.
7. Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
Sadly, some leaders are quick to accept credit and even quicker to assign blame. The best leaders reverse that pattern.
President Richard Nixon advised, “A leader must give credit to a staffer for a job well done both personally and if possible, publicly as well. The best rule: Be generous in sharing credit with subordinates when an initiative succeeds and be prepared to take the blame if it fails.”
8. Maintain a sense of humor.
No one enjoys being around someone who is humorless, heartless, rigid, and unable to laugh or enjoy all aspects of life. People who take themselves less seriously are far more pleasant to associate with. No matter how daunting or serious your work, do it with a sense of lightness, merriment, and playfulness.
An Air Force sergeant was interviewing a young man whose military term was ending. The sergeant asked if the airman would consider reenlisting. “I wouldn’t reenlist if you made me a four-star general, gave me a million dollars and Miss America for a roommate!” the man seethed.
Obviously the sergeant had a sense of humor. On the form the sergeant simply wrote: “Airman is undecided.”
________
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Handling Burnout
The best time to deal with burnout is before you burnout.
In 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Paul shares seven principles that will help you run the distance and last in ministry –
1. Remember God's mercy (v. 1): God has given us our ministries. We don’t have to prove our worth through our ministry, and we don’t have to wallow in our mistakes. You don’t have to earn your place as a pastor or leader in the church.
2. Be truthful and honest in all you do (v. 2): Maintain your integrity because integrity produces power in your life, while guilt zaps your energy. You need to finish with your character intact. Your integrity includes how you handle the Word of God. Don’t distort it or make it confusing.
3. Be motivated to work for Jesus’ sake, not out of selfish desires (v. 5): We need a right motivation. We should start as servants and end as servants, not celebrities. You need to learn to live your life for an audience of one, and that one is Jesus Christ.
4. Realize that Christians are only human (v. 7): We must accept our limitations. The quickest way to burn out is to try to be Superman. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses.
5. Develop a true love for others (v. 15): Churches thrive, grow, and survive when love endures. You must love your people or you won’t last in the ministry
6. Allow time for inward rejuvenation (v. 16): I have a motto -- Divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually. You need to take time off to re-charge.
7. Stay focused on the important things, not distracted by momentary troubles (v. 17-18): Keep your eyes on the goal, not the problem. Only God who sees the invisible can accomplish the impossible. To be a winner in the marathon of ministerial service, we need trust God even when things don’t make sense. If we run from problems, we’ll never mature into who God wants us to be.
In 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Paul shares seven principles that will help you run the distance and last in ministry –
1. Remember God's mercy (v. 1): God has given us our ministries. We don’t have to prove our worth through our ministry, and we don’t have to wallow in our mistakes. You don’t have to earn your place as a pastor or leader in the church.
2. Be truthful and honest in all you do (v. 2): Maintain your integrity because integrity produces power in your life, while guilt zaps your energy. You need to finish with your character intact. Your integrity includes how you handle the Word of God. Don’t distort it or make it confusing.
3. Be motivated to work for Jesus’ sake, not out of selfish desires (v. 5): We need a right motivation. We should start as servants and end as servants, not celebrities. You need to learn to live your life for an audience of one, and that one is Jesus Christ.
4. Realize that Christians are only human (v. 7): We must accept our limitations. The quickest way to burn out is to try to be Superman. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses.
5. Develop a true love for others (v. 15): Churches thrive, grow, and survive when love endures. You must love your people or you won’t last in the ministry
6. Allow time for inward rejuvenation (v. 16): I have a motto -- Divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually. You need to take time off to re-charge.
7. Stay focused on the important things, not distracted by momentary troubles (v. 17-18): Keep your eyes on the goal, not the problem. Only God who sees the invisible can accomplish the impossible. To be a winner in the marathon of ministerial service, we need trust God even when things don’t make sense. If we run from problems, we’ll never mature into who God wants us to be.
Church Explosion
#1 – Jesus said that HE would build His church…that is a promise and it is true of OUR CHURCH! Matthew 16:18 (New International Version)
18And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.[c]
#2 – Jesus said that HIS Word would not fail to produce a harvest…so if you are faithful in declaring HIS Word then something GREAT is taking place, even if you can’t see it yet!
Isaiah 55:8-13 (New International Version)
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
#3 – You are meeting resistance…which means the enemy is pissed! Stay focused on Christ…you KNEW this would happen
(Ephesians 6:12 (New International Version)
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5:8 (New International Version)8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.)…
entrust yourself to Jesus
1 Peter 2:21-25 (New International Version)21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
and believe that
Isaiah 54:17 (New International Version)
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
#4 – God is raising up leaders, who want to OWN the ministry and be participators rather than spectators. Ones that comprehend the meaning of
Ephesians 4:11-16 (New International Version)
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
#5 – God started our church…and He will bring it to completion…HE’S NOT FINISHED WITH US YET!
Philippians 1:6 (New International Version)
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
#6 – The church is STILL His plan, He has NOT changed His mind…and He loves our church just as much as He loves any church!
#7 – He is leading you towards greater steps of faith…which means you are becoming more desperate for Him…and when THIS happens He shows up in amazing ways and does the unexplainable and the undeniable!
Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version)
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
#8 – Though we may feel discouraged and disheartened…we STILL believe in WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS CALLED US TO DO! We may have suffered some setbacks lately…but there is something inside of us telling us to not give up on the God who has never given up on us! That we've done what Josua and Caleb have done. We have seen the promised land and are not afraid of the obstacles before us. We’ve STILL got a fire and a hope!
Numbers 13:30 (New International Version)
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
Numbers 32:11-12 (New International Version)
11 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- 12 not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.'
#9 – God has given our Pastor a vision…God has given you a vision that is going to be birthed from here, one that is HUGE…one that keeps you up at night. And the fear of NOT doing what HE has told you to do is beginning to trump the fear of man!
#10 – His church is coming together like never before to begin completing each other instead of competing against each other!!! When we all cheer each other on and work together…it speaks VOLUMES to a world that is desperate for Jesus!
18And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.[c]
#2 – Jesus said that HIS Word would not fail to produce a harvest…so if you are faithful in declaring HIS Word then something GREAT is taking place, even if you can’t see it yet!
Isaiah 55:8-13 (New International Version)
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
#3 – You are meeting resistance…which means the enemy is pissed! Stay focused on Christ…you KNEW this would happen
(Ephesians 6:12 (New International Version)
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5:8 (New International Version)8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.)…
entrust yourself to Jesus
1 Peter 2:21-25 (New International Version)21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
and believe that
Isaiah 54:17 (New International Version)
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
#4 – God is raising up leaders, who want to OWN the ministry and be participators rather than spectators. Ones that comprehend the meaning of
Ephesians 4:11-16 (New International Version)
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
#5 – God started our church…and He will bring it to completion…HE’S NOT FINISHED WITH US YET!
Philippians 1:6 (New International Version)
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
#6 – The church is STILL His plan, He has NOT changed His mind…and He loves our church just as much as He loves any church!
#7 – He is leading you towards greater steps of faith…which means you are becoming more desperate for Him…and when THIS happens He shows up in amazing ways and does the unexplainable and the undeniable!
Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version)
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
#8 – Though we may feel discouraged and disheartened…we STILL believe in WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS CALLED US TO DO! We may have suffered some setbacks lately…but there is something inside of us telling us to not give up on the God who has never given up on us! That we've done what Josua and Caleb have done. We have seen the promised land and are not afraid of the obstacles before us. We’ve STILL got a fire and a hope!
Numbers 13:30 (New International Version)
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
Numbers 32:11-12 (New International Version)
11 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- 12 not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.'
#9 – God has given our Pastor a vision…God has given you a vision that is going to be birthed from here, one that is HUGE…one that keeps you up at night. And the fear of NOT doing what HE has told you to do is beginning to trump the fear of man!
#10 – His church is coming together like never before to begin completing each other instead of competing against each other!!! When we all cheer each other on and work together…it speaks VOLUMES to a world that is desperate for Jesus!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
U
Isaiah 60
The Glory of Zion
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come. HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and no help. Like you
have no more strength or ability to go on. You're at the end of
yourself and just can't do any more.
Don't worry. Just hang on to your faith in God.
God is faithful. He will not forsake you. He has not forgotten
you. (It just seems that way when you face a trial of faith --
but it's a lie.)
It may seem dark and hopeless, but God is holding on to you.
God is working behind the scenes. Things will work out.
When you don't know what to do, just continue to trust in God,
and know that He is helping you. Persevere even when you feel
like you can't. Just don't give up.
JAMES 1:2-4 BARCLAY
2 My brothers, you must regard it as nothing but joy when you
are involved in all kinds of trials,
3 for you must realize that when faith has passed through the
ordeal of testing the result is the ability to pass the
breaking-point and not to break.
4 This ability must go right on to the end, and then you will
be perfect and complete, without a weak spot.
Trials are no fun. But we should not be surprised when we find
our faith being tested.
The devil is doing his best to steal your faith in God, but his
best is not good enough. God is greater than the devil. Hang on
to your faith!
Remember that God is for you. God is on your side. God will
help you and see you through.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep praising
and thanking God -- especially when you don't feel like it.
Don't give up. Hang on!
The Nature of Discouragement
Psalm 16:7-11
Discouragement is a powerful, destructive force. Before we can understand how to rid our lives of this deadly landmine, we must recognize its harmful nature.
Understand that discouragement...
1. Is something we choose. Nobody else can make us discouraged; it is a choice that we alone make when facing disappointments.
2. Is universal. Everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement from time to time. This simply cannot be avoided, because we live in a seriously flawed world that is filled with equally flawed people.
3. Can recur. Sometimes we think we've settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or, we may have old emotional wounds that are torn open by something a person says or does.
4. Can be temporary—or it can destroy our life. The choice is ours. If we refuse to deal with discouragement head-on, we are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life.
5. Is conquerable. With the Lord's help, we can choose not to be discouraged. If we don't believe discouragement can be conquered, then we're actually saying that God doesn't want His children to have a rich and fulfilled life.
Are you stuck in the throes of discouragement? If so, it will simply be impossible to experience the peace and inner joy that God wants for His children. Let Him help you out of that lowly state: start by believing that the Father wants to lift you up and get your life back on track with Him.
Be a LEADER who provides STRENGTH to others
Be full of Persevering Faith
Focus on the end product of what God is doing with people’s lives. Gal. 6:9” We will reap if we faint not.” Unchangeable faith.
Look and Ask for the Goodness of God
We need to show the positive things in the will of God not negative appearances. Good will show a spiritual good from any bad situation. Psalm 27:13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Keep Yourself Unspotted from the World
Keep away from the world. The trap Esau fell into for a meal. Matt. 13:38 the field is the world. No leader can minister to others if the world is warring inside of him. No energy left.
Pray Constantly
Converse with God. Not only for myself but for others. Luke 18:1 Now He (Jesus)was telling them a parable to show at all times that they ought to pray and not to lose heart.
Receive the Mercy of God
Paul said,”Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not faint, but we have renounced the hidden things because of shame. 2 cor. 4:1. We must understand the process of confession of sin, total repentance and faith in God’s cleansing power.
Consider the Sufferings of Jesus
Our sufferings are nothing compared to His. Heb. 12:3 For consider him who has endured such hostility of sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and faint in your minds.
The more we remember His sufferings the more we will be strong in our times of testing.
Allow the Daily Renewal of the Inner Man
We need the Holy Spirit to be active. We need His spirit to touch our spirit to create new life within us. 2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not faint, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
God has a proceeding word for each of us, but until it comes, the word of God will try us in order to get us ready to walk in the preceding word. The Hebrew word for tried is tsaraph ( pronounced tsaw-raf) and means to refine, to melt, to purge away. It has a connotation of a gold or silver Smith working with the gold and the silver until they are purified. Our perfection as believers will come through the purifying fire of God. Mal 3:3-4
The story of the silversmith. When the silverSmith is working with silver he has to put the silver in the center of the fire and let it heat up that's where the flames are the hottest. This is where it will burn away all the impurities.
The Silversmith has to sit there with this over the whole time because if the silver was left even a moment too long it would be destroyed by the flames. How do you know when the silver is fully refined? The silversmith said oh that's the easy part when I see my image reflected in it. That's the same way with God, when we are feeling the heat of the fire, we have to remember that God is with us always keeping his hand over us watching us until he sees his image in us.
The Glory of Zion
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 "Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come. HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Sometimes it seems like there's no hope and no help. Like you
have no more strength or ability to go on. You're at the end of
yourself and just can't do any more.
Don't worry. Just hang on to your faith in God.
God is faithful. He will not forsake you. He has not forgotten
you. (It just seems that way when you face a trial of faith --
but it's a lie.)
It may seem dark and hopeless, but God is holding on to you.
God is working behind the scenes. Things will work out.
When you don't know what to do, just continue to trust in God,
and know that He is helping you. Persevere even when you feel
like you can't. Just don't give up.
JAMES 1:2-4 BARCLAY
2 My brothers, you must regard it as nothing but joy when you
are involved in all kinds of trials,
3 for you must realize that when faith has passed through the
ordeal of testing the result is the ability to pass the
breaking-point and not to break.
4 This ability must go right on to the end, and then you will
be perfect and complete, without a weak spot.
Trials are no fun. But we should not be surprised when we find
our faith being tested.
The devil is doing his best to steal your faith in God, but his
best is not good enough. God is greater than the devil. Hang on
to your faith!
Remember that God is for you. God is on your side. God will
help you and see you through.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep praising
and thanking God -- especially when you don't feel like it.
Don't give up. Hang on!
The Nature of Discouragement
Psalm 16:7-11
Discouragement is a powerful, destructive force. Before we can understand how to rid our lives of this deadly landmine, we must recognize its harmful nature.
Understand that discouragement...
1. Is something we choose. Nobody else can make us discouraged; it is a choice that we alone make when facing disappointments.
2. Is universal. Everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement from time to time. This simply cannot be avoided, because we live in a seriously flawed world that is filled with equally flawed people.
3. Can recur. Sometimes we think we've settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or, we may have old emotional wounds that are torn open by something a person says or does.
4. Can be temporary—or it can destroy our life. The choice is ours. If we refuse to deal with discouragement head-on, we are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life.
5. Is conquerable. With the Lord's help, we can choose not to be discouraged. If we don't believe discouragement can be conquered, then we're actually saying that God doesn't want His children to have a rich and fulfilled life.
Are you stuck in the throes of discouragement? If so, it will simply be impossible to experience the peace and inner joy that God wants for His children. Let Him help you out of that lowly state: start by believing that the Father wants to lift you up and get your life back on track with Him.
Be a LEADER who provides STRENGTH to others
Be full of Persevering Faith
Focus on the end product of what God is doing with people’s lives. Gal. 6:9” We will reap if we faint not.” Unchangeable faith.
Look and Ask for the Goodness of God
We need to show the positive things in the will of God not negative appearances. Good will show a spiritual good from any bad situation. Psalm 27:13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Keep Yourself Unspotted from the World
Keep away from the world. The trap Esau fell into for a meal. Matt. 13:38 the field is the world. No leader can minister to others if the world is warring inside of him. No energy left.
Pray Constantly
Converse with God. Not only for myself but for others. Luke 18:1 Now He (Jesus)was telling them a parable to show at all times that they ought to pray and not to lose heart.
Receive the Mercy of God
Paul said,”Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not faint, but we have renounced the hidden things because of shame. 2 cor. 4:1. We must understand the process of confession of sin, total repentance and faith in God’s cleansing power.
Consider the Sufferings of Jesus
Our sufferings are nothing compared to His. Heb. 12:3 For consider him who has endured such hostility of sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and faint in your minds.
The more we remember His sufferings the more we will be strong in our times of testing.
Allow the Daily Renewal of the Inner Man
We need the Holy Spirit to be active. We need His spirit to touch our spirit to create new life within us. 2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not faint, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
God has a proceeding word for each of us, but until it comes, the word of God will try us in order to get us ready to walk in the preceding word. The Hebrew word for tried is tsaraph ( pronounced tsaw-raf) and means to refine, to melt, to purge away. It has a connotation of a gold or silver Smith working with the gold and the silver until they are purified. Our perfection as believers will come through the purifying fire of God. Mal 3:3-4
The story of the silversmith. When the silverSmith is working with silver he has to put the silver in the center of the fire and let it heat up that's where the flames are the hottest. This is where it will burn away all the impurities.
The Silversmith has to sit there with this over the whole time because if the silver was left even a moment too long it would be destroyed by the flames. How do you know when the silver is fully refined? The silversmith said oh that's the easy part when I see my image reflected in it. That's the same way with God, when we are feeling the heat of the fire, we have to remember that God is with us always keeping his hand over us watching us until he sees his image in us.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Moving time
Time to move!! Manifestation of His spirit and then helping you move forward. If you have to move with your stuff you need some help. To move not externally but internally. God moved to earth in a man. We have the capacity to have Christ in us but we need to move us out of the way and allow Him to move in. We need help to move the sin out. It will take us too long. Christs moving company. The Holy Ghost on His side.
We receive with our eyes and ears and share through our mouth.
God cannot allow us to have a greater capacity if we are not a good steward.
We receive with our eyes and ears and share through our mouth.
God cannot allow us to have a greater capacity if we are not a good steward.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Apples
An apple tree makes apples because it is an apple tree not to become an apple tree.
Chad Schapiro
Chad Schapiro
Friday, June 11, 2010
Is Jesus the only way
It may surprise you to know what many Americans consider to be the most serious sin. No, it’s not murder. Even murder can have mitigating factors. According to an article by Daniel Taylor in Christianity Today, many Americans consider the worst sin to be intolerance. And guess who are the worst sinners, at least in the minds of many Americans? Evangelical Christians! One writer said, "Christians are seen as the pit bulls of culture wars--small brains, big teeth, strong jaws and no interest in compromise." A guest on National Public Radio shocked even his liberal host when he objected to the Southern Baptist belief that a lot of people are going to hell. By the way, that’s not just a Southern Baptist belief; that’s a biblical truth. The guest on NPR offered this rather hateful comment: "The evaporation of four million Baptists who believe that garbage would leave the world a better place." Sounds to me like that guest was mighty intolerant of the Baptists. Don’t the Baptists have a right to their biblical interpretation?
Dr. Laura, the popular and controversial radio host, has talked about the large volume of hate mail she receives for believing in moral absolutes. Her enemies ask her to be more tolerant of other moral views, but they don’t want to tolerate her views.
In America, we believe in religious toleration. You can even be a Satan worshipper and have your religious expression protected. But along with our toleration has come the dangerous idea that no religion should make exclusive claims to truth. R.C. Sproul says that making exclusive claims in America is "like attacking baseball, hot dogs, motherhood and apple pie (not to mention Chevrolet)."1
Jesus said many politically incorrect things, but the most shocking is recorded in John 14: He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (NIV).
Now that’s an exclusive statement! CNN would never allow someone to make such a statement without an instant rebuttal.
St. Peter made that claim of Jesus even more blatant when he said, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Lots of Americans almost wallow in tolerance. They feel that as long as a person is sincere about his religious beliefs, it doesn’t matter what he believes. But isn’t it strange that they apply this logic to faith but not to any other area of their lives? They want the pilot flying their next commercial flight to be right, not just sincere. They want the accountant who does their taxes to be right, not just sincere. They want the pharmacist who prepares their prescription to be right, not just sincere. Why, then, in the single most important area of their lives--their relationship with God--would they be willing to settle for sincerity instead of accuracy? It makes no sense.
When Jesus claimed that He was the only way to God the Father, He was motivated not by arrogance but by compassion. If you will suspend judgment for just a little while and consider with me a simple story Jesus told, I believe that Jesus’ claim will begin to make sense.
In Matthew 22, Jesus told a story about a king whose son was getting married. No doubt, the king rented the banquet hall and ballroom of a big hotel and threw a bodacious bash.
Remember, in first-century Palestine, most people were poor. But even among the poor, a wedding called for a weeklong party. This was the one occasion in life when the poor splurged, even if on borrowed funds. So if the king, with all his resources, was throwing a party, it’s probably going to be a Middle Eastern version of Mardi Gras. Therefore, you would assume that everybody would want to come to such a party. Wrong! Lots of specially invited guests refused to come.
Jesus was clearly referring to the Jewish people who had been invited to be God’s chosen people. They were to be His cradle for the Messiah, a chosen race and a holy priesthood, designed to bless the entire world.
But the Jews persecuted most of the prophets sent by God; and, tragically, they rejected the Messiah when He came.
Verses 8 through 10 tell us that the king then extended his invitation to everybody--Jews and Gentiles, the good and the bad, the rich and the poor.
It is a glorious truth that every person is invited into the Kingdom of God. Come as you are! God accepts us as we are but loves us far too much to leave us as we are.
Then comes that difficult final part of the story, verses 11 through 14. The king found a fellow at the party who was not wearing the proper attire and kicked him out. You probably are thinking: If the king was tolerant enough to let anyone come to his party, why would he get bent out of shape over what they are wearing?
St. Augustine, a great church leader of the fourth century, has helped us at this point. He explained that each person who accepted the king’s invitation was given proper attire for the banquet. The king was aware that poor people would not have proper clothing for such an occasion. Not wanting anyone to feel inferior, the king provided standard clothing for all the guests to wear.
But this fellow in verse 11 was a rebel at heart. He disregarded the generosity of the king and decided to come on his own terms.
St. Augustine believed that trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is what constitutes the proper wedding garment. If you are not humble enough to admit your need for the salvation He offers--if you are not grateful enough to accept it--you cannot come to God’s party.
The only person who cannot experience God’s forgiveness is the one who thinks he has no sin. The only person who cannot be saved is that one who feels no need for a Savior. Jesus does not exclude us. If we reject His offer, we exclude ourselves.
Some people believe that all religions are basically the same. These folks claim that it doesn’t matter which one you follow, as long as it works for you. Supposedly, all spiritual paths lead to the same place. |
While it is true that there is some common ground shared by the world’s major religions, there are significant differences. Only Christianity claims that God has visited planet Earth in the form of a person.
Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, notes there are all kinds of faith alternatives. Some people follow Mohammed or Buddha or Confucius or Hari Krishna. But, Lotz says, "Jesus is different. He is not just one of the boys. He is the only begotten Son of God. He is God!"2
Jesus is the only way to the one true God because He is the only person in the history of the world who can provide a cure for our "sin problem."
Lee Strobel, a gifted teacher and preacher at Saddleback Church in California, has pointed out that every other religion but Christianity is based on people’s performance. They must "DO" something to somehow earn favor with God.
Different religions offer different recipes for salvation. One says that you have to use a Tibetan prayer wheel; another that you have to avoid eating certain foods; another that you have to pray in one direction a certain number of times per day; still another that you have to go through a cycle of reincarnations. These are all attempts to earn enough favor with God to deserve His salvation.
But Christianity is different. We do not focus on the word "DO." Our emphasis is on the word "DONE," especially what Jesus has done for us on the cross. He paid our penalty for sin. When we accept Him as personal Savior and leader, we are endorsing that transaction by faith. We are donning our wedding garment and are ready for God’s party.
We Christians should never be disrespectful toward persons of other religions. We will never have a chance to share the gospel with Muslim, Hindu or Jewish people unless we treat them respectfully and winsomely. It is never proper for us to judge people of other religions. Only God is capable of doing that properly, with justice and mercy. But neither should we embrace the cultural myth that all religions are equally true.
If I have an opportunity to share the gospel with a Hindu or Jew or Muslim, I will jump at the chance. But I will not approach him in a condescending or threatening way. Instead, I will share with him, as D.T. Niles described it, "as one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread."
Jesus in Matthew 7 said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (vv. 13-14).
What is the small gate and narrow road? It is our faith in response to God’s grace. To go through the narrow gate means to say to Jesus, "Nothing in my hands I bring; only to Your cross I cling. I am a sinner who cannot fix my sin problem. But I believe You offered the one and only cure when You died for me on the cross. I accept it gladly, and in gratitude I invite You to be the leader of my life."
One of the most popular places in Memphis is Tom Lee Park, a beautiful, open space alongside the mighty Mississippi. If you have lingered there long enough to read the plaque, you know the park was named for an African-American man named Tom Lee.
One day in 1925, a steamer with lots of passengers aboard sank in the river, just below Memphis. Tom Lee saw the tragedy. He jumped into his small boat and, with great courage and determination, headed toward those drowning people. He rescued 32 of them.
But let’s suppose that when Tom Lee approached some of those folks in the middle of the river, they had responded, "Thanks, but no thanks. Your boat doesn’t look too impressive to us. We’re going to just keep treading water in hopes that another boat more to our liking will come along." You’re thinking, That would have been really dumb--turning down a sure thing in hopes that something else might come along.
That reminds me of the people who don’t want to accept the salvation offered by Jesus Christ through the cross. They hope that some other alternative, more to their liking, will become available. But the truth is that there is no other way to be saved.
"For God so loved the world that he gave" not a bunch of ways but one way--"his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Dr. Laura, the popular and controversial radio host, has talked about the large volume of hate mail she receives for believing in moral absolutes. Her enemies ask her to be more tolerant of other moral views, but they don’t want to tolerate her views.
In America, we believe in religious toleration. You can even be a Satan worshipper and have your religious expression protected. But along with our toleration has come the dangerous idea that no religion should make exclusive claims to truth. R.C. Sproul says that making exclusive claims in America is "like attacking baseball, hot dogs, motherhood and apple pie (not to mention Chevrolet)."1
Jesus said many politically incorrect things, but the most shocking is recorded in John 14: He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (NIV).
Now that’s an exclusive statement! CNN would never allow someone to make such a statement without an instant rebuttal.
St. Peter made that claim of Jesus even more blatant when he said, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Lots of Americans almost wallow in tolerance. They feel that as long as a person is sincere about his religious beliefs, it doesn’t matter what he believes. But isn’t it strange that they apply this logic to faith but not to any other area of their lives? They want the pilot flying their next commercial flight to be right, not just sincere. They want the accountant who does their taxes to be right, not just sincere. They want the pharmacist who prepares their prescription to be right, not just sincere. Why, then, in the single most important area of their lives--their relationship with God--would they be willing to settle for sincerity instead of accuracy? It makes no sense.
When Jesus claimed that He was the only way to God the Father, He was motivated not by arrogance but by compassion. If you will suspend judgment for just a little while and consider with me a simple story Jesus told, I believe that Jesus’ claim will begin to make sense.
In Matthew 22, Jesus told a story about a king whose son was getting married. No doubt, the king rented the banquet hall and ballroom of a big hotel and threw a bodacious bash.
Remember, in first-century Palestine, most people were poor. But even among the poor, a wedding called for a weeklong party. This was the one occasion in life when the poor splurged, even if on borrowed funds. So if the king, with all his resources, was throwing a party, it’s probably going to be a Middle Eastern version of Mardi Gras. Therefore, you would assume that everybody would want to come to such a party. Wrong! Lots of specially invited guests refused to come.
Jesus was clearly referring to the Jewish people who had been invited to be God’s chosen people. They were to be His cradle for the Messiah, a chosen race and a holy priesthood, designed to bless the entire world.
But the Jews persecuted most of the prophets sent by God; and, tragically, they rejected the Messiah when He came.
Verses 8 through 10 tell us that the king then extended his invitation to everybody--Jews and Gentiles, the good and the bad, the rich and the poor.
It is a glorious truth that every person is invited into the Kingdom of God. Come as you are! God accepts us as we are but loves us far too much to leave us as we are.
Then comes that difficult final part of the story, verses 11 through 14. The king found a fellow at the party who was not wearing the proper attire and kicked him out. You probably are thinking: If the king was tolerant enough to let anyone come to his party, why would he get bent out of shape over what they are wearing?
St. Augustine, a great church leader of the fourth century, has helped us at this point. He explained that each person who accepted the king’s invitation was given proper attire for the banquet. The king was aware that poor people would not have proper clothing for such an occasion. Not wanting anyone to feel inferior, the king provided standard clothing for all the guests to wear.
But this fellow in verse 11 was a rebel at heart. He disregarded the generosity of the king and decided to come on his own terms.
St. Augustine believed that trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is what constitutes the proper wedding garment. If you are not humble enough to admit your need for the salvation He offers--if you are not grateful enough to accept it--you cannot come to God’s party.
The only person who cannot experience God’s forgiveness is the one who thinks he has no sin. The only person who cannot be saved is that one who feels no need for a Savior. Jesus does not exclude us. If we reject His offer, we exclude ourselves.
Some people believe that all religions are basically the same. These folks claim that it doesn’t matter which one you follow, as long as it works for you. Supposedly, all spiritual paths lead to the same place. |
While it is true that there is some common ground shared by the world’s major religions, there are significant differences. Only Christianity claims that God has visited planet Earth in the form of a person.
Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, notes there are all kinds of faith alternatives. Some people follow Mohammed or Buddha or Confucius or Hari Krishna. But, Lotz says, "Jesus is different. He is not just one of the boys. He is the only begotten Son of God. He is God!"2
Jesus is the only way to the one true God because He is the only person in the history of the world who can provide a cure for our "sin problem."
Lee Strobel, a gifted teacher and preacher at Saddleback Church in California, has pointed out that every other religion but Christianity is based on people’s performance. They must "DO" something to somehow earn favor with God.
Different religions offer different recipes for salvation. One says that you have to use a Tibetan prayer wheel; another that you have to avoid eating certain foods; another that you have to pray in one direction a certain number of times per day; still another that you have to go through a cycle of reincarnations. These are all attempts to earn enough favor with God to deserve His salvation.
But Christianity is different. We do not focus on the word "DO." Our emphasis is on the word "DONE," especially what Jesus has done for us on the cross. He paid our penalty for sin. When we accept Him as personal Savior and leader, we are endorsing that transaction by faith. We are donning our wedding garment and are ready for God’s party.
We Christians should never be disrespectful toward persons of other religions. We will never have a chance to share the gospel with Muslim, Hindu or Jewish people unless we treat them respectfully and winsomely. It is never proper for us to judge people of other religions. Only God is capable of doing that properly, with justice and mercy. But neither should we embrace the cultural myth that all religions are equally true.
If I have an opportunity to share the gospel with a Hindu or Jew or Muslim, I will jump at the chance. But I will not approach him in a condescending or threatening way. Instead, I will share with him, as D.T. Niles described it, "as one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread."
Jesus in Matthew 7 said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (vv. 13-14).
What is the small gate and narrow road? It is our faith in response to God’s grace. To go through the narrow gate means to say to Jesus, "Nothing in my hands I bring; only to Your cross I cling. I am a sinner who cannot fix my sin problem. But I believe You offered the one and only cure when You died for me on the cross. I accept it gladly, and in gratitude I invite You to be the leader of my life."
One of the most popular places in Memphis is Tom Lee Park, a beautiful, open space alongside the mighty Mississippi. If you have lingered there long enough to read the plaque, you know the park was named for an African-American man named Tom Lee.
One day in 1925, a steamer with lots of passengers aboard sank in the river, just below Memphis. Tom Lee saw the tragedy. He jumped into his small boat and, with great courage and determination, headed toward those drowning people. He rescued 32 of them.
But let’s suppose that when Tom Lee approached some of those folks in the middle of the river, they had responded, "Thanks, but no thanks. Your boat doesn’t look too impressive to us. We’re going to just keep treading water in hopes that another boat more to our liking will come along." You’re thinking, That would have been really dumb--turning down a sure thing in hopes that something else might come along.
That reminds me of the people who don’t want to accept the salvation offered by Jesus Christ through the cross. They hope that some other alternative, more to their liking, will become available. But the truth is that there is no other way to be saved.
"For God so loved the world that he gave" not a bunch of ways but one way--"his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Nehemiah Part 2
Water Gate (vs 26) with the Temple servants living on the hill of Ophel, who repaired the wall as far as a point across from the Water Gate to the east and the projecting tower.
- The next gate we arrive at is the water gate. The water gate is a picture I believe of the word of God and it’s effect in our life.
Eph 5:26 AMP
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
John 4:14 AMP
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
It is no coincidence that this gate was located next to the fountain gate as the two often go together. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes the word of God alive to us personally, allowing cleansing, encouragement and direction to take place in our life. There is no mention made of the repair of the Water Gate. I think the reason is obvious – water is the picture of God‟s Word. Later on, when Ezra put up a pulpit and read from the Word of God, he put the pulpit at the Water Gate (see Nehemiah 8). This was no accident. The New Testament makes it very clear that water is a picture of God‟s Word.
This teaching is of major importance. I believe there is cleansing power in this Book, the Bible; it has a supernatural power. If you will read it and study it, it will cleanse your life.
Horse Gate (vs 28) Nehemiah 3:28 AMP
Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, everyone opposite his own house.
- The horse gate speaks to us of warfare as horses were used in battle and became a symbol of war.
Job 39:19-25 (New International Version)"Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? 20 Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? 21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. 22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. 24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. 25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!' He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
Revelation 19:11 ‘I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war.’
The last three gates are also prophetic I believe of the end times return of Jesus Christ. You will notice that all three gates are very close together and so are the events which they symbolise. Prophetically, the horse gate speaks of the day of the Lord and the end time judgement as recorded in the book of Revelation chapters 6-19.
Spiritual warfare, as we will see in this entire study on Nehemiah, is a requirement of every Christian because we are all in a battle whether we know it or not. King David reviewed his troops at this gate as they prepared to engage the enemy. This gate speaks to us of "soldier service."
It tells us that we must (2 Timothy 2:3). "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"
The Christian life is not an easy thing. If you live for God, it will cost you something – I am confident of that. Let‟s not deceive anyone; let‟s not tell them that if they will become Christians it will eliminate all problems and that life will be a bed of roses. Not so, beloved! A good soldier endures hardness.
Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God. The trumpet is sounding, there is an enemy of God to be overcome! There is a battle to be fought! There is a victory to be won!
East Gate (vs 29) – Next Zadok son of Immer also rebuilt the wall across from his own house, and beyond him was Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the gatekeeper of the East Gate.
The East Gate was the first gate to be opened each morning. The question would be asked, "O watchman, what of the night?" And what a thrill it was when the watchman on the wall would say, "The dawn is coming. I see light on the horizon and the sun will soon be up." The city was safe after the long night of watching, waiting, and wondering if there was danger from an enemy in the darkness. It brought joy to hear the watchman say that the night was almost over, that a rosy stream of light has broken through, routing the black of the night with its eerie company. 9
The creaking of the hinges of the East Gate was the fanfare of a new day as the sun came up over the horizon.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life! Shine be radiant with the glory of the Lord, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
Friends, the East Gate reassures our hearts that one of these days the night of sin will be over. One of these days the Lord Jesus, who is to us the bright and morning star, will appear. That star of living brilliance, which appears before the sun comes up, writes across time‟s span of civilization that He will appear to take those who are His own out of this night of sin. The East Gate is very important. He will then enter Jerusalem by the east gate. The east gate then speaks of the return of Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel 43:4 AMP
And the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east.
For our Christian life is shows us of our need to live with this hope and to long for His return. A specific crown is even given to those who do this
(2 Tim 4:8) And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Prophetically this gate is very close to the horse gate because the day of God’s wrath ends with the coming of the Lord Jesus as described in Revelation 19.
Inspection Gate (vs 31) Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the wall as far as the housing for the Temple servants and merchants, across from the Inspection Gate. Then he continued as far as the upper room at the corner.
- The final gate is the inspection gate. This gate speaks to us of the seat of Christ where our lives are inspected and rewarded appropriately. In our Christian experience we should be living with this in mind. We are called to live our lives with eternity in view, caring more for the things of eternity than the temporal that we see around us. "Hammiphkad" means review of registry. When strangers came to Jerusalem, they had to have "visas" and were stopped at this gate for the purpose of registry. It was a gate of review, for the army returned through this gate from battle. It was here that David welcomed his soldiers returning from battle. How he loved them, and how they loved him! Most of them would have gladly laid down their lives for him. As they came under the arch, he was there to thank his battle-scarred men for their unselfish loyalty and daring.
We are told that when the Lord calls those of His own out of this world, there is to be a gate of review:
(2 Corinthians 5:10)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
But Paul tells us that if we would only deal with our sins and judge ourselves down here, then we would not have to have Him deal with them up yonder.
(Romans 14:12). "So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God"
In other words, my friend, everything that is in a Christian‟s life is to pass in review – not for salvation, but to determine rewards. I do not think anything will be hidden. I believe that your entire works – all of them – will be there, and a Christian should live in the light of that particular fact. Salvation is not in question. That was settled at the cross. What will be in question is whether the things we have done merit.
(Matthew 25:21)“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together![. Prophetically this gate also speaks of the judgement of the nations that takes place when Jesus returns. This is recorded in the sheep and the goats judgement in
Mathew 25:31-46 “But when the Son of Man[d] comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations[e] will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Completing the Tour
In starting upon our journey around the walls of Jerusalem, we learned that there were just ten gates. But there is still one leg of the journey left. The last verse of Nehemiah 3 holds this before us:
(Nehemiah 3:32)The other goldsmiths and merchants repaired the wall from that corner to the Sheep Gate10
We have been around the walls of Jerusalem and have come once more to the Sheep Gate. We started there and we end there because, my friend, everything in the life of a Christian is done in the light of the cross of Christ. Paul said,
But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)
Everything in light of the cross!
Let us stand here before the Sheep Gate as we examine an incident in the ministry of a great Bible teacher named Dr. MacKay. He was preaching in one of the great suburban areas of London. Night after night, the thousands attending were going away richly blessed. But one young man spoke to Dr. MacKay after the service and said very candidly that while he wanted to understand, he plainly could not and therefore could not become a Christian. He asked Dr. MacKay if he would take a few moments and talk with him.
The doctor told him that he had to catch a train back to London, but if he would walk with him they could discuss the barriers and problems in the matter of his salvation; and so they talked it all out. When they had reached the station, Dr. MacKay turned to the young man and said, "Is it all plain to you now?"
The young man shook his head and replied, "I am sorry, but I cannot seem to feel that I understand savingly."
Then that great servant of God asked him to take his Bible and turn to Isaiah 53:6. The young man said, "But I do not have a Bible," and with that the train was coming into the station. Dr. MacKay said, "Well, here, take my Bible and turn to Isaiah 53:6. You read that, and when you read that first „all,‟ you bend down low and go in right there. And then when you get to the last „all,‟ you stand up straight and come out."
Dr. MacKay pushed the Bible into his hand and was gone. The young man was puzzled at the strangeness of the turn his inquiry had taken and went over to the streetlight and hunted the passage. Reading it, "All we like sheep have gone astray," he said, "Well, that fits me; I am a sinner and I have certainly gone astray. I shall certainly have to bend down low in acknowledging that." Then he wondered what were Dr. MacKay‟s next instructions, and they came to him. "He said I must stand up straight when I get to the last „all.‟" So he continued to read, "…and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." He repeated the passage in its entirety:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Then in amazement he said, "I see it now. „All we like sheep have gone astray.‟ I am a sinner and I do bend down low. But „the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,‟ and now I can stand up straight and come out. My sins are forgiven."
The next night Dr. MacKay got to the service a little early and sat on the platform during the song service, watching the aisles for the young man who had his Bible. Finally, the young man entered and the minute he did Dr. MacKay knew something had happened. He went down to meet him and said, "Young man, did you do what I said? Did you read Isaiah 53:6?" And the young man said he had. Then he asked what he had done when he read the first "all," and the 11
young man said that he had bent low. So the doctor asked what he had done when he came to the last "all," and he said, "I stood up straight."
Then Dr. MacKay asked, "What happened?" The young man said, "Well, I know now that Jesus is my Savior."
We begin at the Sheep Gate; we end at the Sheep Gate.
The lives and attitudes of the workers.
There are a few more important points that can come out of a chapter like this, which should be stated. So far we have looked at the gates and their spiritual meaning, but there are other points from the lives of the workers that we can learn from.
Team Effort
Reading through the chapter one of the first things that we see is that the whole process was a team effort. If the walls and gates were going to be rebuilt then everyone would have to play their part. Now this is but a picture of how the church is meant to operate. No, the pastor is not meant to be a one man band that does everything while the others rest and sit in their padded pews. We all have different giftings but it is for the edification of all.
Eph 4:11-13 ‘And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.’
You will notice that the giftings that people have are for the equipping of the saints in their works of service. This is what we learn from Nehemiah. Some may have been gifted in particular areas and they were to work in those areas, but all helped in whatever way they could.
Everyone had something to offer
Nehemiah 3:8 (Whole Chapter)
Next was Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith by trade, who also worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes. They left out a section of Jerusalem as they built the Broad Wall
Nehemiah 7:2 (Whole Chapter)
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Maybe you are unsure of your gifting and what God is calling you to do with your life. Maybe you don’t think you have anything to offer. If that is you then remember Hananiah! You see, he was a perfumer by trade and yet he was still willing to get in there, get his hands dirty and help do his part by repairing part of the wall. Now if a perfumer can build a wall then you also can help in someway in the building of the church!
Rebuilding often began at home
Vs 10,23,30 ‘Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house… After them Benjamin and Hasshub carried out repairs in front of their house… After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah carried out repairs in front of his own quarters.’
One of the things which that the chapter reveals is that often the workers began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem outside their own home first. They did think of others and knew that collectively they would contribute to the wall as a whole; yet individually they still wanted to make sure their own home had a solid wall of protection surrounding it. The principle for us is to make sure we have taken care of our lives at home first before we are used to help others. We have to make sure that we are not different people in and outside of church, nor are we any different when we are at home alone when no-one can see us. One of the things that Jesus hated the most was the play-acting of the Pharisees. They liked to be seen as ‘spiritual’ among the people while in reality they were actually white washed tombs Jesus said. Let us all mimic Nehemiah’s men and make sure that our home life is taken care of first before any ministering or service to others is under taken.
The work was voluntary
Yep! No one got paid or were even coerced into rebuilding the walls. They all volunteered knowing that the glory of God’s name was at stake. And what’s more they didn’t expect to be rewarded for their work! I heard Charles Swindol speak on the radio recently and he mentioned that ‘one of the biggest areas of discouragement comes when Christians think that they get their rewards in this life.’ I would have to agree with that. We should check our motives in the work that we do to ensure we are not doing it to receive temporal rewards here and now. We should all live with eternity in view. This brings me to the last but very encouraging point.
God is a recorder of names
What else can we get when we read a chapter such as this? Well, we can be encouraged that God takes the time to record names. He’s a recorder! The Bible doesn’t just say ‘and lots of people made repairs to the wall.’ No, it specifically names each person that made repairs and that has been recorded for all of eternity! I love the verse in Malachi that says
Mal 3:16,17 ‘Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. “And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Our lives and actions are recorded by the Lord for our rewards in the life to come. Nothing is done for the Lord in vain on this earth, even if no one else sees it. So don’t lose heart in your work for the Lord knowing that ‘God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.’
- The next gate we arrive at is the water gate. The water gate is a picture I believe of the word of God and it’s effect in our life.
Eph 5:26 AMP
So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
John 4:14 AMP
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
It is no coincidence that this gate was located next to the fountain gate as the two often go together. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes the word of God alive to us personally, allowing cleansing, encouragement and direction to take place in our life. There is no mention made of the repair of the Water Gate. I think the reason is obvious – water is the picture of God‟s Word. Later on, when Ezra put up a pulpit and read from the Word of God, he put the pulpit at the Water Gate (see Nehemiah 8). This was no accident. The New Testament makes it very clear that water is a picture of God‟s Word.
This teaching is of major importance. I believe there is cleansing power in this Book, the Bible; it has a supernatural power. If you will read it and study it, it will cleanse your life.
Horse Gate (vs 28) Nehemiah 3:28 AMP
Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, everyone opposite his own house.
- The horse gate speaks to us of warfare as horses were used in battle and became a symbol of war.
Job 39:19-25 (New International Version)"Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? 20 Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? 21 He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. 22 He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. 24 In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. 25 At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!' He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.
Revelation 19:11 ‘I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war.’
The last three gates are also prophetic I believe of the end times return of Jesus Christ. You will notice that all three gates are very close together and so are the events which they symbolise. Prophetically, the horse gate speaks of the day of the Lord and the end time judgement as recorded in the book of Revelation chapters 6-19.
Spiritual warfare, as we will see in this entire study on Nehemiah, is a requirement of every Christian because we are all in a battle whether we know it or not. King David reviewed his troops at this gate as they prepared to engage the enemy. This gate speaks to us of "soldier service."
It tells us that we must (2 Timothy 2:3). "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ"
The Christian life is not an easy thing. If you live for God, it will cost you something – I am confident of that. Let‟s not deceive anyone; let‟s not tell them that if they will become Christians it will eliminate all problems and that life will be a bed of roses. Not so, beloved! A good soldier endures hardness.
Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God. The trumpet is sounding, there is an enemy of God to be overcome! There is a battle to be fought! There is a victory to be won!
East Gate (vs 29) – Next Zadok son of Immer also rebuilt the wall across from his own house, and beyond him was Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the gatekeeper of the East Gate.
The East Gate was the first gate to be opened each morning. The question would be asked, "O watchman, what of the night?" And what a thrill it was when the watchman on the wall would say, "The dawn is coming. I see light on the horizon and the sun will soon be up." The city was safe after the long night of watching, waiting, and wondering if there was danger from an enemy in the darkness. It brought joy to hear the watchman say that the night was almost over, that a rosy stream of light has broken through, routing the black of the night with its eerie company. 9
The creaking of the hinges of the East Gate was the fanfare of a new day as the sun came up over the horizon.
Isaiah 60:1 Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you-rise to a new life! Shine be radiant with the glory of the Lord, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!
Friends, the East Gate reassures our hearts that one of these days the night of sin will be over. One of these days the Lord Jesus, who is to us the bright and morning star, will appear. That star of living brilliance, which appears before the sun comes up, writes across time‟s span of civilization that He will appear to take those who are His own out of this night of sin. The East Gate is very important. He will then enter Jerusalem by the east gate. The east gate then speaks of the return of Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel 43:4 AMP
And the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east.
For our Christian life is shows us of our need to live with this hope and to long for His return. A specific crown is even given to those who do this
(2 Tim 4:8) And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Prophetically this gate is very close to the horse gate because the day of God’s wrath ends with the coming of the Lord Jesus as described in Revelation 19.
Inspection Gate (vs 31) Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the wall as far as the housing for the Temple servants and merchants, across from the Inspection Gate. Then he continued as far as the upper room at the corner.
- The final gate is the inspection gate. This gate speaks to us of the seat of Christ where our lives are inspected and rewarded appropriately. In our Christian experience we should be living with this in mind. We are called to live our lives with eternity in view, caring more for the things of eternity than the temporal that we see around us. "Hammiphkad" means review of registry. When strangers came to Jerusalem, they had to have "visas" and were stopped at this gate for the purpose of registry. It was a gate of review, for the army returned through this gate from battle. It was here that David welcomed his soldiers returning from battle. How he loved them, and how they loved him! Most of them would have gladly laid down their lives for him. As they came under the arch, he was there to thank his battle-scarred men for their unselfish loyalty and daring.
We are told that when the Lord calls those of His own out of this world, there is to be a gate of review:
(2 Corinthians 5:10)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
But Paul tells us that if we would only deal with our sins and judge ourselves down here, then we would not have to have Him deal with them up yonder.
(Romans 14:12). "So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God"
In other words, my friend, everything that is in a Christian‟s life is to pass in review – not for salvation, but to determine rewards. I do not think anything will be hidden. I believe that your entire works – all of them – will be there, and a Christian should live in the light of that particular fact. Salvation is not in question. That was settled at the cross. What will be in question is whether the things we have done merit.
(Matthew 25:21)“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together![. Prophetically this gate also speaks of the judgement of the nations that takes place when Jesus returns. This is recorded in the sheep and the goats judgement in
Mathew 25:31-46 “But when the Son of Man[d] comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations[e] will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[g] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Completing the Tour
In starting upon our journey around the walls of Jerusalem, we learned that there were just ten gates. But there is still one leg of the journey left. The last verse of Nehemiah 3 holds this before us:
(Nehemiah 3:32)The other goldsmiths and merchants repaired the wall from that corner to the Sheep Gate10
We have been around the walls of Jerusalem and have come once more to the Sheep Gate. We started there and we end there because, my friend, everything in the life of a Christian is done in the light of the cross of Christ. Paul said,
But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)
Everything in light of the cross!
Let us stand here before the Sheep Gate as we examine an incident in the ministry of a great Bible teacher named Dr. MacKay. He was preaching in one of the great suburban areas of London. Night after night, the thousands attending were going away richly blessed. But one young man spoke to Dr. MacKay after the service and said very candidly that while he wanted to understand, he plainly could not and therefore could not become a Christian. He asked Dr. MacKay if he would take a few moments and talk with him.
The doctor told him that he had to catch a train back to London, but if he would walk with him they could discuss the barriers and problems in the matter of his salvation; and so they talked it all out. When they had reached the station, Dr. MacKay turned to the young man and said, "Is it all plain to you now?"
The young man shook his head and replied, "I am sorry, but I cannot seem to feel that I understand savingly."
Then that great servant of God asked him to take his Bible and turn to Isaiah 53:6. The young man said, "But I do not have a Bible," and with that the train was coming into the station. Dr. MacKay said, "Well, here, take my Bible and turn to Isaiah 53:6. You read that, and when you read that first „all,‟ you bend down low and go in right there. And then when you get to the last „all,‟ you stand up straight and come out."
Dr. MacKay pushed the Bible into his hand and was gone. The young man was puzzled at the strangeness of the turn his inquiry had taken and went over to the streetlight and hunted the passage. Reading it, "All we like sheep have gone astray," he said, "Well, that fits me; I am a sinner and I have certainly gone astray. I shall certainly have to bend down low in acknowledging that." Then he wondered what were Dr. MacKay‟s next instructions, and they came to him. "He said I must stand up straight when I get to the last „all.‟" So he continued to read, "…and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." He repeated the passage in its entirety:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Then in amazement he said, "I see it now. „All we like sheep have gone astray.‟ I am a sinner and I do bend down low. But „the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,‟ and now I can stand up straight and come out. My sins are forgiven."
The next night Dr. MacKay got to the service a little early and sat on the platform during the song service, watching the aisles for the young man who had his Bible. Finally, the young man entered and the minute he did Dr. MacKay knew something had happened. He went down to meet him and said, "Young man, did you do what I said? Did you read Isaiah 53:6?" And the young man said he had. Then he asked what he had done when he read the first "all," and the 11
young man said that he had bent low. So the doctor asked what he had done when he came to the last "all," and he said, "I stood up straight."
Then Dr. MacKay asked, "What happened?" The young man said, "Well, I know now that Jesus is my Savior."
We begin at the Sheep Gate; we end at the Sheep Gate.
The lives and attitudes of the workers.
There are a few more important points that can come out of a chapter like this, which should be stated. So far we have looked at the gates and their spiritual meaning, but there are other points from the lives of the workers that we can learn from.
Team Effort
Reading through the chapter one of the first things that we see is that the whole process was a team effort. If the walls and gates were going to be rebuilt then everyone would have to play their part. Now this is but a picture of how the church is meant to operate. No, the pastor is not meant to be a one man band that does everything while the others rest and sit in their padded pews. We all have different giftings but it is for the edification of all.
Eph 4:11-13 ‘And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.’
You will notice that the giftings that people have are for the equipping of the saints in their works of service. This is what we learn from Nehemiah. Some may have been gifted in particular areas and they were to work in those areas, but all helped in whatever way they could.
Everyone had something to offer
Nehemiah 3:8 (Whole Chapter)
Next was Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith by trade, who also worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes. They left out a section of Jerusalem as they built the Broad Wall
Nehemiah 7:2 (Whole Chapter)
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Maybe you are unsure of your gifting and what God is calling you to do with your life. Maybe you don’t think you have anything to offer. If that is you then remember Hananiah! You see, he was a perfumer by trade and yet he was still willing to get in there, get his hands dirty and help do his part by repairing part of the wall. Now if a perfumer can build a wall then you also can help in someway in the building of the church!
Rebuilding often began at home
Vs 10,23,30 ‘Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house… After them Benjamin and Hasshub carried out repairs in front of their house… After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah carried out repairs in front of his own quarters.’
One of the things which that the chapter reveals is that often the workers began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem outside their own home first. They did think of others and knew that collectively they would contribute to the wall as a whole; yet individually they still wanted to make sure their own home had a solid wall of protection surrounding it. The principle for us is to make sure we have taken care of our lives at home first before we are used to help others. We have to make sure that we are not different people in and outside of church, nor are we any different when we are at home alone when no-one can see us. One of the things that Jesus hated the most was the play-acting of the Pharisees. They liked to be seen as ‘spiritual’ among the people while in reality they were actually white washed tombs Jesus said. Let us all mimic Nehemiah’s men and make sure that our home life is taken care of first before any ministering or service to others is under taken.
The work was voluntary
Yep! No one got paid or were even coerced into rebuilding the walls. They all volunteered knowing that the glory of God’s name was at stake. And what’s more they didn’t expect to be rewarded for their work! I heard Charles Swindol speak on the radio recently and he mentioned that ‘one of the biggest areas of discouragement comes when Christians think that they get their rewards in this life.’ I would have to agree with that. We should check our motives in the work that we do to ensure we are not doing it to receive temporal rewards here and now. We should all live with eternity in view. This brings me to the last but very encouraging point.
God is a recorder of names
What else can we get when we read a chapter such as this? Well, we can be encouraged that God takes the time to record names. He’s a recorder! The Bible doesn’t just say ‘and lots of people made repairs to the wall.’ No, it specifically names each person that made repairs and that has been recorded for all of eternity! I love the verse in Malachi that says
Mal 3:16,17 ‘Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. “And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Our lives and actions are recorded by the Lord for our rewards in the life to come. Nothing is done for the Lord in vain on this earth, even if no one else sees it. So don’t lose heart in your work for the Lord knowing that ‘God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.’
Thursday, June 3, 2010
"Trust Me"
by Dan Reiland
My son John-Peter recently finished his first year of college. He did very well and I'm proud of him. When he's home, we've been (slowly) going through the book of Proverbs together. As a dad, I was enthusiastic for obvious reasons about John soaking in the beginning of Proverbs chapter 3.
1 "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2. On occasion, these words have been more literal than not! (smile) And John-Peter is a great young man! In the biblical context from our Father in Heaven, these words have far greater impact, and to all of us, not just fathers and sons.
John-Peter trusts me as I walk him through these Scriptures. You either trust someone or you don't. If you say, "I'm not sure if I trust her." You don't. When I give my car keys to my son, either I trust him or I don't. I don't sort of trust him, or trust him a little. As I guide my son through these young adult years, he either trusts me or he doesn't. And I'm so glad he does, because trust is a choice. Trust is an intentional act of the will, not a fuzzy feeling that we sometimes have and sometimes misplace.
The absence or presence of trust is a core factor in life, so much so that whether its business, church, family or just a couple good friends meeting for coffee, it sets the stage for success or failure. The relationship at the center of all your success or failure is the one you experience with God. And just in case we missed it, He makes this point clear in His word.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:5-10
Trust doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's not just a front-end risk or a back-end reward. It's not merely a promise without accountability. It's not a principle without activity. Trust is a word that is alive and dynamic and it operates in a complex and moving context.
The following five points relate to everyone, but to you as a leader in particular about your trust in God. As a leader, you coach others to trust God. In order for you to do that well, it's good to check-in on your own trust in God. The following is a sequence of connected components that build trust.
• Love
Faith is the foundation for your belief in God. Love is the foundation for your trust in God. We often talk in terms of trust being based on character and competence. On a merely human level, there is great truth to that. In fact, you can love someone but not trust them. But it doesn't work that way with God. Trust and love are connected. If you love Him, and know He loves you, you trust Him. Verse 5 says "with all your heart"; that's what it takes to fully trust God. It's that trust that allows you to lean into Him.
• Lean
" . . . lean not on your own understanding" (v. 5) Honestly, which way do you lean? In order to respond, you need to think about where you lean for your answers, solutions and direction when you are under pressure. It's too easy lean to God for wisdom when everything is going fine. It's when you're under pressure that you either instinctively depend upon God or depend upon yourself. If your church isn't growing, or your marriage is struggling, or your health is challenged – whatever the case may be, do you really trust God? Or do you try to "fix" it on your own? It is a partnership, your part and God's part, but if you trust Him, He takes the lead. If you lean into God, you will learn.
• Learn
God is the source of all truth and wisdom. You can't help but to learn from God when you love Him and lean into Him. What have you learned lately from God? What is He saying to you? How have you responded?
Psalm 25:1-5 captures the heart of this well. 1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 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. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Do you trust enough what God is teaching you to act on it?
• Live
When you learn, you live better. You live stronger and at a higher level. Proverbs 3:8 says: "This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Let me back up one verse to explain. Proverbs 3:7 is saying that pride and being puffed up with yourself is stupid. Fear God and do the right thing. If you live this way, your physical health and well-being will benefit. How literal you want to take this is up to you. Of course there are Godly people who are ill. When this happens we all have questions. Your trust may be tested. In those times I often remember a quote by C.H. Spurgeon: "God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. If I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart." Wherever you land on this matter, remember that resisting God brings so much stress that your health is impacted in a negative way. Either way, you live better with God.
• Lead
Loving God, leaning into God, learning from God, and living for God will result in significantly improved leadership. You can't help but to lead better following this pattern of trust in God. I don't think this is easy, but I do think it's true.
Love God with your whole heart. Lean into Him not yourself. Learn and take action on what you learn. Live fully for God.
My son John-Peter recently finished his first year of college. He did very well and I'm proud of him. When he's home, we've been (slowly) going through the book of Proverbs together. As a dad, I was enthusiastic for obvious reasons about John soaking in the beginning of Proverbs chapter 3.
1 "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2. On occasion, these words have been more literal than not! (smile) And John-Peter is a great young man! In the biblical context from our Father in Heaven, these words have far greater impact, and to all of us, not just fathers and sons.
John-Peter trusts me as I walk him through these Scriptures. You either trust someone or you don't. If you say, "I'm not sure if I trust her." You don't. When I give my car keys to my son, either I trust him or I don't. I don't sort of trust him, or trust him a little. As I guide my son through these young adult years, he either trusts me or he doesn't. And I'm so glad he does, because trust is a choice. Trust is an intentional act of the will, not a fuzzy feeling that we sometimes have and sometimes misplace.
The absence or presence of trust is a core factor in life, so much so that whether its business, church, family or just a couple good friends meeting for coffee, it sets the stage for success or failure. The relationship at the center of all your success or failure is the one you experience with God. And just in case we missed it, He makes this point clear in His word.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:5-10
Trust doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's not just a front-end risk or a back-end reward. It's not merely a promise without accountability. It's not a principle without activity. Trust is a word that is alive and dynamic and it operates in a complex and moving context.
The following five points relate to everyone, but to you as a leader in particular about your trust in God. As a leader, you coach others to trust God. In order for you to do that well, it's good to check-in on your own trust in God. The following is a sequence of connected components that build trust.
• Love
Faith is the foundation for your belief in God. Love is the foundation for your trust in God. We often talk in terms of trust being based on character and competence. On a merely human level, there is great truth to that. In fact, you can love someone but not trust them. But it doesn't work that way with God. Trust and love are connected. If you love Him, and know He loves you, you trust Him. Verse 5 says "with all your heart"; that's what it takes to fully trust God. It's that trust that allows you to lean into Him.
• Lean
" . . . lean not on your own understanding" (v. 5) Honestly, which way do you lean? In order to respond, you need to think about where you lean for your answers, solutions and direction when you are under pressure. It's too easy lean to God for wisdom when everything is going fine. It's when you're under pressure that you either instinctively depend upon God or depend upon yourself. If your church isn't growing, or your marriage is struggling, or your health is challenged – whatever the case may be, do you really trust God? Or do you try to "fix" it on your own? It is a partnership, your part and God's part, but if you trust Him, He takes the lead. If you lean into God, you will learn.
• Learn
God is the source of all truth and wisdom. You can't help but to learn from God when you love Him and lean into Him. What have you learned lately from God? What is He saying to you? How have you responded?
Psalm 25:1-5 captures the heart of this well. 1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 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. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Do you trust enough what God is teaching you to act on it?
• Live
When you learn, you live better. You live stronger and at a higher level. Proverbs 3:8 says: "This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Let me back up one verse to explain. Proverbs 3:7 is saying that pride and being puffed up with yourself is stupid. Fear God and do the right thing. If you live this way, your physical health and well-being will benefit. How literal you want to take this is up to you. Of course there are Godly people who are ill. When this happens we all have questions. Your trust may be tested. In those times I often remember a quote by C.H. Spurgeon: "God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. If I cannot trace His hand, I can always trust His heart." Wherever you land on this matter, remember that resisting God brings so much stress that your health is impacted in a negative way. Either way, you live better with God.
• Lead
Loving God, leaning into God, learning from God, and living for God will result in significantly improved leadership. You can't help but to lead better following this pattern of trust in God. I don't think this is easy, but I do think it's true.
Love God with your whole heart. Lean into Him not yourself. Learn and take action on what you learn. Live fully for God.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Nine Qualities of a Leader Who Achieves Change...
1) Considers Conditions
Just because a change could be made doesn't mean it should be made. Sometimes an organization lacks the people, resources, or energy to successfully implement change. Leaders have to be sensitive to the rhythm of the organization in order to understand when the time is ripe to shift gears. Similarly, leaders have to monitor the pace of change. Too much at once can dishearten and overwhelm a team. While people must be prodded to make changes, they also should be allowed space to adjust themselves to new ways of doing things.
2) Builds a Coalition
The responsibility to lead change rests squarely on your shoulders, but the burden shouldn't be carried alone. In fact, unless you convince key stakeholders to join your cause, then your attempt at change most likely is doomed. Before you initiate change, make every effort to win over the prominent influencers around you.
3) Communicates Urgency
As John Kotter warns, "By far the biggest mistake people make when trying to change organizations is to plunge ahead without establishing a high enough sense of urgency in fellow managers and employees."
People naturally resist changes, so they must be incentivized to make them. In talking to your team about change, underscore the impending dangers of complacency. Light a fire under your people by giving them a glimpse of the regret and discomfort they will experience if they avoid doing things differently. They need to know what's at stake before they will be motivated to alter their behavior.
4) Champions Rewards
Early in my leadership years I mistakenly thought that "my people" were there to help me achieve my vision and my goals. Over time, I came to understand that the purpose of my leadership was to serve others in meeting their needs and attaining their goals. To drive change, I had to appeal to people based upon their desires instead of mine. I had to spell out clearly, and personalize individually, the benefits and rewards of change for each member of my team.
5) Risks Failure
Inherent in the quest for change is the chance that you may muck it up and make things worse. However, you can't let the possibility of failure override your commitment to drive change. Every leader who ever accomplished greatness incurred risk. Aspiring for a better future requires us to let go of the security we have today.
6) Initiates Action
As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Leaders must go first and give the most. Only after a leader demonstrates his or her commitment will the team be persuaded to follow. Decisive action on the part of a leader inspires confidence in the people.
7) Endures Criticism
People grow accustomed to routine, and they resent anyone who threatens to disrupt how they work. As President Woodrow Wilson observed, "If you want to make enemies, try to change something." Every time you attempt to implement a change, you're going to be unpopular with somebody. However, if you try to appease people by disregarding changes, then eventually your organization will suffer. When that happens, the people who once resisted change will now complain that you failed to initiate it! Either way, you'll face criticism, so you might as well endure it in the short term to do what's best for your organization in the long run.
8) Celebrates Wins
Undergoing change takes a toll on everyone involved. For the benefit of morale, be sure to celebrate victories along the way. Doing so replenishes the energy reserves of your team and keeps people motivated to continue submitting themselves to the process of change.
9) Puts Setbacks in Perspective
In the course of making changes to your organization, inevitably you will bump up against a roadblock or experience defeat. When you do, be vocal in helping your team to interpret what happened and put it in perspective. Mishaps foster doubt and cause people to second-guess leadership. In these moments, it's imperative to reassert the necessity of change, and to refocus everyone on the next step rather than allowing them to wallow in the recent setback.
Just because a change could be made doesn't mean it should be made. Sometimes an organization lacks the people, resources, or energy to successfully implement change. Leaders have to be sensitive to the rhythm of the organization in order to understand when the time is ripe to shift gears. Similarly, leaders have to monitor the pace of change. Too much at once can dishearten and overwhelm a team. While people must be prodded to make changes, they also should be allowed space to adjust themselves to new ways of doing things.
2) Builds a Coalition
The responsibility to lead change rests squarely on your shoulders, but the burden shouldn't be carried alone. In fact, unless you convince key stakeholders to join your cause, then your attempt at change most likely is doomed. Before you initiate change, make every effort to win over the prominent influencers around you.
3) Communicates Urgency
As John Kotter warns, "By far the biggest mistake people make when trying to change organizations is to plunge ahead without establishing a high enough sense of urgency in fellow managers and employees."
People naturally resist changes, so they must be incentivized to make them. In talking to your team about change, underscore the impending dangers of complacency. Light a fire under your people by giving them a glimpse of the regret and discomfort they will experience if they avoid doing things differently. They need to know what's at stake before they will be motivated to alter their behavior.
4) Champions Rewards
Early in my leadership years I mistakenly thought that "my people" were there to help me achieve my vision and my goals. Over time, I came to understand that the purpose of my leadership was to serve others in meeting their needs and attaining their goals. To drive change, I had to appeal to people based upon their desires instead of mine. I had to spell out clearly, and personalize individually, the benefits and rewards of change for each member of my team.
5) Risks Failure
Inherent in the quest for change is the chance that you may muck it up and make things worse. However, you can't let the possibility of failure override your commitment to drive change. Every leader who ever accomplished greatness incurred risk. Aspiring for a better future requires us to let go of the security we have today.
6) Initiates Action
As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Leaders must go first and give the most. Only after a leader demonstrates his or her commitment will the team be persuaded to follow. Decisive action on the part of a leader inspires confidence in the people.
7) Endures Criticism
People grow accustomed to routine, and they resent anyone who threatens to disrupt how they work. As President Woodrow Wilson observed, "If you want to make enemies, try to change something." Every time you attempt to implement a change, you're going to be unpopular with somebody. However, if you try to appease people by disregarding changes, then eventually your organization will suffer. When that happens, the people who once resisted change will now complain that you failed to initiate it! Either way, you'll face criticism, so you might as well endure it in the short term to do what's best for your organization in the long run.
8) Celebrates Wins
Undergoing change takes a toll on everyone involved. For the benefit of morale, be sure to celebrate victories along the way. Doing so replenishes the energy reserves of your team and keeps people motivated to continue submitting themselves to the process of change.
9) Puts Setbacks in Perspective
In the course of making changes to your organization, inevitably you will bump up against a roadblock or experience defeat. When you do, be vocal in helping your team to interpret what happened and put it in perspective. Mishaps foster doubt and cause people to second-guess leadership. In these moments, it's imperative to reassert the necessity of change, and to refocus everyone on the next step rather than allowing them to wallow in the recent setback.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Nehemiah
The walls of the city had lain in ruins since 586 B.C. At that time Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, breached them, entered Jerusalem, burned the temple, carried most of the remaining Jews off to Babylon, and knocked the walls down. Consequently the few Jews who remained could not defend themselves (2 Kings 25:1-11). The returned exiles had attempted to rebuild the walls in or shortly after 458 B.C., but that project failed because of local opposition (Ezra 4:12, 23).
The returned exiles had received permission to return to their land and to reestablish their unique national institutions as much as possible. Therefore they needed to rebuild the city walls to defend themselves against anyone who might want to interfere with and to interrupt their way of life.
Nehemiah was the royal cup-bearer (Greek: oinochoos) at the palace of Shushan. The king, Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus), appears to have been on good terms with his attendant, as evidenced by the extended leave of absence granted him for the restoration of Jerusalem.[2]
Primarily by means of his brother Hanani, (Nehemiah 1:2; 2:3) Nehemiah heard of the mournful and desolate condition of Jerusalem, and was filled with sadness of heart. For many days he fasted and mourned and prayed for the place of his fathers' sepulchres. At length the king observed his sadness of countenance and asked the reason of it. Nehemiah explained this to the king, and obtained his permission to go up to Jerusalem and there to act as tirshatha, or governor of Judea.[3]
Nehemiah's reaction to this bad news was admirable. He made it a subject of serious
prolonged prayer (vv. 4, 11; 2:1). Nehemiah prayed for four months about conditions in Jerusalem before he spoke to Artaxerxes about them (cf. 1:1; 2:1).
Nehemiah 2:17 AMP
Then I said to them, You see the bad situation we are in--how Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a disgrace.
2:18 AMP
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was upon me for good, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build! So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Donald Campbell identified 21 principles of effective leadership that Nehemiah
demonstrated in chapter 2.
"He established a reasonable and attainable goal
He had a sense of mission
He was willing to get involved
He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal
He patiently waited for God's timing
He showed respect to his superior
He prayed at crucial times
He made his request with tact and graciousness
He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance
He went through proper channels
He took time (three days) to rest, pray, and plan
He investigated the situation firsthand
He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem
He identified himself as one with the people
He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal
He assured them God was in the project
He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles
He displayed God's confidence in facing obstacles
He did not argue with opponents
He was not discouraged by opposition
He courageously used the authority of his position
BUILDING TIME
Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel.
Sheep need feeding not evangelizing. 3 Stages of ministry. Sheep feed best when they know the shepherd is near. They need protection from attacks by wild animals, and from unhealthy influences of wandering sheep. Like sheep people must be protected from false ministries. Sheep also need a personal touch from the shepherd. John 10:3-4 states, “He calleth his own sheep by name”. A shepherd should be a counselor.
3The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
Ministry to the unsaved. Only after the people of God are strong and mature that souls can be brought into the kingdom properly. Jesus told his disciples they were going to be fishers of men (Matt. 4:19) God’s sheep can only bear healthy lambs as they are healthy and well-tended. The shepherd does not bear lambs. He only tends and guides the lambs that the sheep naturally bear.
6The Old City Gate[a] was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
Restoration of foundational doctrines. This gate speaks to us of the foundational priciples of the Church found in Hebrews 6:1-3 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Acts 2:41 AMP
Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.
The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.
These foundational principles are the old truths, as deposited by Jesus Christ and the apostles in the early Church, that never change from generation to generation. After souls (the fish gate) are brought into the kingdom, they must be established on a Christian foundation (the old gate). Proverbs 22:28 states, “Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set”. New truths will never directly contradict these old truths.
Nehemiah 3:13:
13 The Valley Gate was repaired by the people from Zanoah, led by Hanun. They set up its doors and installed its bolts and bars. They also repaired the 1,500 feet[d] of wall to the Dung Gate.
The Ministry of Compassion. The valley gate can speak to us of the experience of meeting another’s needs. Hanun means to bend or stoop in kindness to help another. After firmly established in the Christian life (the old gate) we should begin to reach out to others in need. Gal. 6:1 When a brother is taken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness. Restoring a fallen person must be done by someone who has experienced grace from God in that area. A baby cannot help an older man to walk.
People go through different kinds of valleys. Some are spiritual, mental or emotional. Others are marital, domestic, or financial.
One of the valleys through which God takes all Christians is the valley of death (death to the old flesh).
Another valley is the valley of decision. Joel 3:14:
14 Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
Here people must make a decision to follow Christ in every area of their lives.
Isaiah 40:4-5:
4 Fill in the valleys,
and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
and smooth out the rough places.
5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!”[a]
Nehemiah 3:14: The ministry of cleansing
14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, the leader of the Beth-hakkerem district. He rebuilt it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
The purpose of the Dung Gate was to provided the people of the city a means of disposing of their waste and garbage. Getting rid of the bad to prepare the way for the Holy Spirit. Cleansing us even today.
Nehemiah 3:15: The ministry of Refreshing
15 15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum[e] son of Col-hozeh, the leader of the Mizpah district. He rebuilt it, roofed it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Then he repaired the wall of the pool of Siloam[f] near the king’s garden, and he rebuilt the wall as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.
This speaks to us in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in spiritual refreshing and restoration. After people come through the dung gate and throw out all of the garbage from their lives, they must come through the fountain gate where the Word and Spirit can change them. More specifically when a perosn puts off one bad habit, he must put on a new ang good spiritual habit to take its place in his life.
The returned exiles had received permission to return to their land and to reestablish their unique national institutions as much as possible. Therefore they needed to rebuild the city walls to defend themselves against anyone who might want to interfere with and to interrupt their way of life.
Nehemiah was the royal cup-bearer (Greek: oinochoos) at the palace of Shushan. The king, Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus), appears to have been on good terms with his attendant, as evidenced by the extended leave of absence granted him for the restoration of Jerusalem.[2]
Primarily by means of his brother Hanani, (Nehemiah 1:2; 2:3) Nehemiah heard of the mournful and desolate condition of Jerusalem, and was filled with sadness of heart. For many days he fasted and mourned and prayed for the place of his fathers' sepulchres. At length the king observed his sadness of countenance and asked the reason of it. Nehemiah explained this to the king, and obtained his permission to go up to Jerusalem and there to act as tirshatha, or governor of Judea.[3]
Nehemiah's reaction to this bad news was admirable. He made it a subject of serious
prolonged prayer (vv. 4, 11; 2:1). Nehemiah prayed for four months about conditions in Jerusalem before he spoke to Artaxerxes about them (cf. 1:1; 2:1).
Nehemiah 2:17 AMP
Then I said to them, You see the bad situation we are in--how Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a disgrace.
2:18 AMP
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was upon me for good, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build! So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
Donald Campbell identified 21 principles of effective leadership that Nehemiah
demonstrated in chapter 2.
"He established a reasonable and attainable goal
He had a sense of mission
He was willing to get involved
He rearranged his priorities in order to accomplish his goal
He patiently waited for God's timing
He showed respect to his superior
He prayed at crucial times
He made his request with tact and graciousness
He was well prepared and thought of his needs in advance
He went through proper channels
He took time (three days) to rest, pray, and plan
He investigated the situation firsthand
He informed others only after he knew the size of the problem
He identified himself as one with the people
He set before them a reasonable and attainable goal
He assured them God was in the project
He displayed self-confidence in facing obstacles
He displayed God's confidence in facing obstacles
He did not argue with opponents
He was not discouraged by opposition
He courageously used the authority of his position
BUILDING TIME
Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel.
Sheep need feeding not evangelizing. 3 Stages of ministry. Sheep feed best when they know the shepherd is near. They need protection from attacks by wild animals, and from unhealthy influences of wandering sheep. Like sheep people must be protected from false ministries. Sheep also need a personal touch from the shepherd. John 10:3-4 states, “He calleth his own sheep by name”. A shepherd should be a counselor.
3The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
Ministry to the unsaved. Only after the people of God are strong and mature that souls can be brought into the kingdom properly. Jesus told his disciples they were going to be fishers of men (Matt. 4:19) God’s sheep can only bear healthy lambs as they are healthy and well-tended. The shepherd does not bear lambs. He only tends and guides the lambs that the sheep naturally bear.
6The Old City Gate[a] was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
Restoration of foundational doctrines. This gate speaks to us of the foundational priciples of the Church found in Hebrews 6:1-3 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Acts 2:41 AMP
Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.
The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.
These foundational principles are the old truths, as deposited by Jesus Christ and the apostles in the early Church, that never change from generation to generation. After souls (the fish gate) are brought into the kingdom, they must be established on a Christian foundation (the old gate). Proverbs 22:28 states, “Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set”. New truths will never directly contradict these old truths.
Nehemiah 3:13:
13 The Valley Gate was repaired by the people from Zanoah, led by Hanun. They set up its doors and installed its bolts and bars. They also repaired the 1,500 feet[d] of wall to the Dung Gate.
The Ministry of Compassion. The valley gate can speak to us of the experience of meeting another’s needs. Hanun means to bend or stoop in kindness to help another. After firmly established in the Christian life (the old gate) we should begin to reach out to others in need. Gal. 6:1 When a brother is taken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness. Restoring a fallen person must be done by someone who has experienced grace from God in that area. A baby cannot help an older man to walk.
People go through different kinds of valleys. Some are spiritual, mental or emotional. Others are marital, domestic, or financial.
One of the valleys through which God takes all Christians is the valley of death (death to the old flesh).
Another valley is the valley of decision. Joel 3:14:
14 Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
Here people must make a decision to follow Christ in every area of their lives.
Isaiah 40:4-5:
4 Fill in the valleys,
and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
and smooth out the rough places.
5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!”[a]
Nehemiah 3:14: The ministry of cleansing
14 The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, the leader of the Beth-hakkerem district. He rebuilt it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.
The purpose of the Dung Gate was to provided the people of the city a means of disposing of their waste and garbage. Getting rid of the bad to prepare the way for the Holy Spirit. Cleansing us even today.
Nehemiah 3:15: The ministry of Refreshing
15 15 The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum[e] son of Col-hozeh, the leader of the Mizpah district. He rebuilt it, roofed it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Then he repaired the wall of the pool of Siloam[f] near the king’s garden, and he rebuilt the wall as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.
This speaks to us in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in spiritual refreshing and restoration. After people come through the dung gate and throw out all of the garbage from their lives, they must come through the fountain gate where the Word and Spirit can change them. More specifically when a perosn puts off one bad habit, he must put on a new ang good spiritual habit to take its place in his life.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
7 Things I want in my pastor- Chad Schapiro
The pastor is our shepherd and the servant of God. Too often the congregation gets that confused. Here are 9 things I want in my pastor. I want my pastor to:
1. Teach me HOW to think about God more than I want him to show me WHAT to think. Plato said the great teachers awaken the teacher in the pupil who then instructs himself for the rest of his life. My pastor is not responsible for my spiritual health any more than my doctor is responsible for my physical well-being. Each guides, but the ultimate responsibility is mine.
2. Be a spiritual dietician, helping me to develop a spiritual plan uniquely suited to my gifts, opportunities, and situation. I don’t have devotional times anymore --- I have “feeding times.” I want my pastor to develop my eating habits to grow strong.
3. Remind me he isn’t my agent, hired to negotiate a better deal with God than I can get directly. I don’t want him to be my “hired pray-er” because he has better access.
4. Let me be myself around him so he can be himself around me. The “pastoral image” robs each of us. The reality of relationship allows us to avoid alienation and isolation which is so prevalent among pastors.
5. Maintain spiritual vitality. I want him to be a candle in the darkness. I want his walk with God to be honest and active --- I don’t want him piggybacking on somebody else’s faith.
6. Know truth, not just Bible stories. I want him to understand the spirit of the Law, not just the Law. Just as information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, so facts and word studies do not complete the truth of revelation.
7. Demonstrate humility. I want him to be humble, not just act humble. Our son, Fred, gave me a good definition of humility: “Accepting your strength with gratitude.” I have always liked this definition: “Humility is not denying the power, but admitting it comes through you and not from you.”
8. Form community within the local church. We live and work in fractured environments. It is such a relief to go into a group of believers and feel the fellowship of community. A healthy church depends on healthy community.
9. Be a resource. I want my pastor to be current enough to identify trends that directly affect my Christian thinking. He can demonstrate hope and bring encouragement. After a particularly dire message by Paul Harvey at one of the Laymen’s Leadership Institute meetings in the 1960s, Dr. Louis Evans, Sr. immediately followed. Without preface he said, “Kruschev, take your fist down! Your arms are too short to fight with God!” That’s resourceful reassurance.
Chad Schapiro
1. Teach me HOW to think about God more than I want him to show me WHAT to think. Plato said the great teachers awaken the teacher in the pupil who then instructs himself for the rest of his life. My pastor is not responsible for my spiritual health any more than my doctor is responsible for my physical well-being. Each guides, but the ultimate responsibility is mine.
2. Be a spiritual dietician, helping me to develop a spiritual plan uniquely suited to my gifts, opportunities, and situation. I don’t have devotional times anymore --- I have “feeding times.” I want my pastor to develop my eating habits to grow strong.
3. Remind me he isn’t my agent, hired to negotiate a better deal with God than I can get directly. I don’t want him to be my “hired pray-er” because he has better access.
4. Let me be myself around him so he can be himself around me. The “pastoral image” robs each of us. The reality of relationship allows us to avoid alienation and isolation which is so prevalent among pastors.
5. Maintain spiritual vitality. I want him to be a candle in the darkness. I want his walk with God to be honest and active --- I don’t want him piggybacking on somebody else’s faith.
6. Know truth, not just Bible stories. I want him to understand the spirit of the Law, not just the Law. Just as information is not knowledge, and knowledge is not wisdom, so facts and word studies do not complete the truth of revelation.
7. Demonstrate humility. I want him to be humble, not just act humble. Our son, Fred, gave me a good definition of humility: “Accepting your strength with gratitude.” I have always liked this definition: “Humility is not denying the power, but admitting it comes through you and not from you.”
8. Form community within the local church. We live and work in fractured environments. It is such a relief to go into a group of believers and feel the fellowship of community. A healthy church depends on healthy community.
9. Be a resource. I want my pastor to be current enough to identify trends that directly affect my Christian thinking. He can demonstrate hope and bring encouragement. After a particularly dire message by Paul Harvey at one of the Laymen’s Leadership Institute meetings in the 1960s, Dr. Louis Evans, Sr. immediately followed. Without preface he said, “Kruschev, take your fist down! Your arms are too short to fight with God!” That’s resourceful reassurance.
Chad Schapiro
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