Tag: leadership

February 10, 2024

February 10th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Highlight Verses:

“Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

Tonight was Night to Shine – a prom for people with special needs put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation and national and local sponsors including our church.

There was such an atmosphere of joy and celebration all evening long.

Yes, there was a lot of effort put forth by the hundreds of volunteers, but the joy that filled the place came from the guests!

These were people who have had it rough.

They’ve been misunderstood, demeaned, endured endless medical treatments, and shut out of a significant part of life that many take for granted.

Tonight was about bringing a little of that ordinary fun life to a place where they can enjoy it and to do our best to convey a sense of acceptance and dignity to people who are just as much beautiful creations of God as any of us.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We need to remember that the body of Christ goes way beyond our preconceived notions. Those we tend to ignore are often the ones capable of bringing unbridled joy, deep sensitivity, and unrestrained creativity to the body.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.

Are you a person with special needs struggling to be included? This is a safe place to speak up (even if it is to correct my exhausted brain’s way of expressing this).
What are ways that you or your church are making efforts to include people who may be differently abled. ‬
January 13, 2024

January 13th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Act 2:42-47

Highlight Verse:

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The earliest Church had something special going on.

People willingly gave up their wealth for the good of others. They met together every day, both in public – at the temple, and in private – in their homes. They learned from their leaders about Jesus. They ate together and they prayed together on a regular basis.

We call that “small groups.” You might call it “life groups,” “home fellowship,” “grow groups,” etc.

Most churches have them. Some small churches are them.

They learn together, pray together, sometimes eat together.

Sound familiar.

Last Fall we had a record number of groups with a record number of participants at our church. Even so, it was a relatively small percentage of the people who regularly attend Sunday services.

Why is that?

We can look at the New Testament Church and think, “That must have been amazing to live in those times.”

But the vast majority of us would never take the risk to get to know other people in the church on a deeper level.

My challenge to you today is to look into and join a small group at your church.

Ours start in just a few weeks for the spring season. If your church doesn’t have them, start one. (Yes, you can. I’ve done it and if I can do it, so can you.) Don’t worry, no one is going to ask you to share everything you have.

Do you have any awesome small group stories to share?
How have small groups made a difference in your life?
If you’ve never been a part of a small group, are you willing to give it a try?
January 4, 2024

January 4th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Titus

Highlight Verse:

“As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Titus had been trained by Paul in person. At one point, Paul left him on the island of Crete to establish the leadership of the church there.

In this and the following verses, Paul basically tells Titus that leaders should live out their faith. The way people lived would confirm their faith.

Their faith was not based on what they did. Rather, what they did was based on their faith.

We all know that we are imperfect beings, failing every day.

The question is, if one’s life does not reflect their faith at least some, is the faith real?

Paul doesn’t leave it there. He urges Titus to encourage people to live out their faith wherever they are in life.

Sometimes we need that encouragement as well.

This is a good chapter to take a bit of guidance and encouragement on how to live out your faith.

In what ways do people see your faith influence your actions?
How do you encourage others to live out their faith?
December 26, 2023

December 26th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 33-34

Highlight Verse:

“So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience?

You know. You go to a retreat or a camp or even on a gloriously beautiful hike and you come back on cloud nine.

I bet you never had one like Moses.

Encouraged and excited is one thing, but literally glowing…

Still, there are times when we are on a spiritual or emotional high.

Sometimes we can come back and seem obnoxious to others when we are like that.

The big question then is, how do we keep from driving others away?

I think Moses could lead us by example. He did two things.

First, he called the leaders back to him. To those over whom he had great influence, he told what had happened and what God wanted of them.

We can be more bold with the people we normally influence. When we have built up trust, we have more freedom to speak freely.

Second, he veiled his face so he wouldn’t scare people away before he had a chance to talk with them.

If we haven’t built up that trust, we need to use wisdom in what we say and do so we don’t drive people away before we have the chance to earn their trust. That, of course, will vary from situation to situation.

We may need to veil our enthusiasm to continue to build trust.

Have you had cases where you’ve driven people away because of your enthusiasm?
How do you determine when to speak out and when to hold your tongue?
December 21, 2023

December 21st, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Timothy 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul gives us a good definition of a mentor in this simple verse –

One who fans into flames the spiritual gifts of another.

Or at least reminds them to fan those gifts into flame.

Either way, Paul helped Timothy identify the gifts God gave him. He encouraged Timothy to exercise those gifts. He gave Timothy specific instructions on how to put the gifts into practice. And he gave Timothy opportunities to practice those gifts.

That sounds like a pretty good mentor to me.

You might say, “I’m no Paul. I can’t do those things.”

To that I would say, every follower of Jesus should have a mentor and be a mentor.

We need to be open to the leading of one who has gone before us or beside us and we need to bring others along too.

There’s always someone who can encourage you in your walk with Jesus.

And there’s always someone whom you can encourage.

Have you had a mentor? How have they helped you?
Have you been a mentor? What was/is that experience like for you?
December 19, 2023

December 19th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 32

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭32‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and then brought in Aaron to be the mouthpiece of Moses, who couldn’t speak well, you might have wondered, “Why didn’t God just have Aaron lead the people out of Egypt?”

This verse makes the answer to that question quite clear.

Moses was committed to pleasing God.

Aaron was committed to pleasing people.

It makes sense that God was far more interested in using the person who was dedicated to Him, even if that person lacked all the talent needed for the job.

If you are truly interested in pleasing God, I wouldn’t worry about your talent (or lack thereof). If you are willing to serve, God will provide the talent, whether in yourself or someone else to help you.

Have you witnessed God use you or someone around you in a way that went beyond your/their talents? Share it!
Are you willing to step out in faith and follow God’s leading, even in areas that are not your strong suit?
December 6, 2023

December 6th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 2-3

Highlight Verse:

““I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David leads off his final words to Solomon with this simple statement that says it all.

As a dad, I can relate.

We will all leave this Earth. Hopefully we all want to leave it a better place by training our offspring to be good and courageous men and women.

David hit a home run with Solomon though not as much so with his other sons.

It is my goal that each of my four kids and all the others I influence will bring more courage, more hope, more love, and closer fellowship with God to this world that desperately needs it.

I’m not prepared to pass from this world quite yet so I plan on doing all I can to fulfill that goal with the time I have left.

What are your hopes for your children?
What are you doing to see those hopes come true?
November 27, 2023

November 27th, 2023

Monday – Gospel

Reading – Matthew 23

Highlight Verse:

“So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s confession time again.

While I strive to always practice what I teach, there have been times when I catch myself doing something that I just taught students not to do.

Even more common, I’ll be studying for a lesson when I realize that I need to change a behavior if I want to teach the lesson honestly.

I’ve jokingly said, “Do what I say, not what I do.” But, I know that’s not the way to works.

People, especially children, will follow what you do far more often than what you say.

So, those of you who catch people acting differently than they teach, make sure you find the correct path and follow it.

And those of us who teach – and that includes all parents – watch out for how you act. Make sure it lines up with what you teach.

And if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to fess up and change your behavior.

Have you ever caught yourself acting differently than what you teach?
Have you been able to change that behavior? Share your experience that we all may do better.
November 22, 2023

November 22nd, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 23-24

Highlight Verse:

“Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Of the Mighty Men of David, Eleazar stood out. It wasn’t the fact that he was able to kill so many Philistines in battle, nor was it his father’s funny name.

It was his consistent commitment.

Even when the rest of the army had fled, he stuck to David’s side in the face of certain death and fought until he could no longer hold his sword.

Here’s the kicker. Despite the impossible odds, God gave them victory that day!

I want to emulate that commitment.

Even when the odds are stacked against me and all the world gives up on that type of commitment, I want to be that one who stands committed to my Lord through the worst. And when I am completely spent, I will rest in that perfect victory made possible by the grace of God.

What has God called you to commit to?
How will you ensure that you will stay completely committed to it?
November 8, 2023

November 8th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I feel for David in this situation. He was already depressed since his son Absalom had stolen his kingdom. He had hoped to regain his kingdom without Absalom dying, but Absalom was killed.

He mourned the loss of his son.

Too much.

His mourning demoralized his troops.

Joab wouldn’t stand for it.

We all need a Joab.

We need that friend who is bold enough to call us out if we are way out of line.

To David’s credit, he listened to Joab. He did what he needed to do to maintain his authority as King of Israel.

As much as we need that Joab, we also need to listen to that person,

honestly evaluate what they are saying, and take the appropriate action.

Do you have that person to correct you when you need it?
Do you listen to them?

Tag: leadership

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.

The earliest Church had something special going on.

But the vast majority of us would never take the risk to get to know other people in the church on a deeper level.

My challenge to you today is to look into and join a small group at your church.

Their faith was not based on what they did. Rather, what they did was based on their faith.

The question is, if one’s life does not reflect their faith at least some, is the faith real?

This is a good chapter to take a bit of guidance and encouragement on how to live out your faith.

Have you ever had a mountaintop experience?

I bet you never had one like Moses.

We may need to veil our enthusiasm to continue to build trust.

One who fans into flames the spiritual gifts of another.

To that I would say, every follower of Jesus should have a mentor and be a mentor.

Moses was committed to pleasing God.

Aaron was committed to pleasing people.

David leads off his final words to Solomon with this simple statement that says it all.

I’m not prepared to pass from this world quite yet so I plan on doing all I can to fulfill that goal with the time I have left.

People, especially children, will follow what you do far more often than what you say.

And if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to fess up and change your behavior.

It was his consistent commitment.

I want to emulate that commitment.

We all need a Joab.

As much as we need that Joab, we also need to listen to that person,