E-ialogue.com

Time for Reflection and Evaluation

Someone once said, "one can be their worst critic."  That sounds a bit negative, but the truth of the matter is a steady dose of self evaluation and introspection is a needed discipline.  That being said I am coming up on my six year anniversary at Unity and have been doing a lot of evaluating and soul searching.

Some questions I am wrestling with have to do with me persoanly as a follower of Christ Jesus, then as the lead/senior pastor of Unity Baptist and discipler of both Unity's staff and leadership.  So, to my faith family at Unity, especially leaders I'll be talking with you and bringing some new things to the table.  I have really been convicted of some areas I and we must intentionally address.

Personally as a follower of Christ Jesus, each of us followers should be asking ourselves, "are we in step with our King Jesus?"  We talk a good game, but being a follower of Christ Jesus has eternal consequences which is NO game.

So I ask myself, 

    Am I living a life of devotion to Jesus?

    Am I living in full obedience?  

    What can I do to improve?

I'm serious about this.  What about you?

 

The Most Critical of ALL Prayer Requests

When it comes to what we pray for the list is nearly endless.  Some of the things or situations we pray for do quite often fit in the self-serving category and consequently are labeled as selfish prayers.  

Let me let you in on the "Most Critical" of all prayer requests, "the" request every follower of Christ should be praying for themselves.  Ready?  It is for "discernment."  Think about it.  If you and I are to live full devoted lives to Christ Jesus discernment is critical, not to mention the means to faithfully follow God the Holy Spirit's leading and consistently discern the subtle, slippery schemes of Satan.

What have you been praying for?

Swept Right Off My Feet!

You remember that old hymn, "I stand Amazed in the Presence" well maybe some you don't but it exists.  Anyway  this week I was so reminded of the amazing "proactive" working of our risen Lord Jesus.  I mean it is like being swept off your feet at the beach.  You know that there are under currents but until you experience them you often don't really appreciate them.

What am I talking about?  Well Sunday I mentioned a certain congregation in my life as a child.  I spoke about how Satan used that painful time in my childhood to get to me, but in the end Christ Jesus did an amazing work, as always.

Well then Monday night, Monday night I get a phone call on my cell phone the Pastor of that congregation asked me to prayerfully consider bring a message at the Homecoming service.  What!!!  When I got off the phone I looked at Ann and we both just laughed.  No, no, no not with sarcasm but with amazement of how our Lord Jesus works.

So I checked my calendar and returned the call with a resounding yes.  Did I pray about it?  What was I to pray about, other than praise Jesus for the opportunity to serve Him and be stretched to love as He loves and forgive as He forgives.  That is the biblical message I preach and if I can't practice what I preach - then I will stop preaching.  You see, I will not be a hypocrite and bring any shame to my Lord Jesus or His Church.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15

Self Profiling

We often hear of the evils of profiling.  I would be the first to agree that more often than not profiling is a process that leads only to division, bigotry and racial divides.  However, I was reading in Acts 14 and 15 today and was prodded to consider that actions of the Apostle Paul.

It was in verses 21 and 22 of chapter 14 that note's the Apostle Paul's preaching the good news and "then" making disciples.  So I wonder, how many would consider profiling themselves as one who "believe" in Christ Jesus verses one who would consider themselves "disciples" of Christ Jesus?  

What does your heart say?  More importantly what does God the Holy Spirit say?  Go ahead ask Him...

A Life Changing Point of View

I know it has been a while since I have blogged my thoughts and comments - no excuse other than life and I'll have to say a good bit of reflecting.  So, that being said I wanted to share something Jesus has had me to work on as a matter of discipline.

First a word, don't get all defensive or judgmental, just ponder on what I am about to say and then ask Jesus if He wants you to work on this discipline too.  The discipline is how we see people, you know the point of view we take when we see others.  The word "others" is almost a label, you know "those" people that aren't exactly who we say are "our" kind of people.  Ouch, I know.

Most of you reading this would be quick to say you believe God's Word is "truth."  You believe it is not only God's revelation of who He is and what is up to, but it also gives us the "Way" to live our His "truth."  So here is the part He has me sharing with you ... Truth:

    1.  All people are created in the image of God.(Genesis 1:26-28)

    2.  All people have the potential to bring God the glory He rightfully deserves from ALL His                         creation.  (Psalm 8:5-8)

Now, the next time you see one of those "other" peoples, remember these two truths ARE from God's on lips. But be advised, God's "truth" will cause permanent changes in your person.  But it is ALL for the good.

Stay in touch with how you're progressing with this "Life Changing Point of View."

Why?

I wouldn't call it an epiphany or anything like that, but something just seemed to float to the front of my mind.  It seems that no matter what our age one of the most reoccurring phrases in our vocabulary is, "why."  We expect this "curiosity" in a young developing child and associate it with their journey towards adulthood.  But even in adult hood aren't we still, constantly pushing the "why" key?

To me it makes the point that we are constantly maturing in our understanding.  Thus the "why" key is where we begin to process that said part of our lives.  However, what I see many failing to do is push the "why" key that is connected to the most knowledgeable data base.  We have so many options for seeking understanding, we can Google it, Wikipedia, the library (for those still in the early 20th century) but there is One we should make our first choice, actually our sole source, the default for ALL our "whys."  What data base am I speaking of?  Well let me put it this way, 

"But if an of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without doubting...
For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord."
                                                                                                              James 1:5-6a,7

When was the last time you took your "whys" to the One with ALL the answers?

Pollen, Pollen Everywhere!

I hear records are being set for the abundant pollen season in middle Georgia.  You have to blind and a non breathing creature to not be wowed by the yellow haze and dusting on everything.  I actually thought some of the plants in my yard were getting something on them (i.e. scale or fungus), but with a closer look - oh its just more pollen!

All this pollen, though a bit annoying brings to my mind something really dynamic.  Think about it, all that pollen has the potential to be a part of producing a new life.  That being said this may be bumper year for plant reproduction.  But that isn't what is so dynamic.  No think about this, what if the children of God that are literally everywhere - showed up and showed out like the pollen.  What if we literally dusted everything and everyone with our presence, what would be the result?  Answer, new life.  

That's right, our lives lived in Christ are influential and literally provide the "pollen" as it were for God the Holy Spirit to produce a "born again," new life in Christ Jesus.  

What a commentary to our faithfulness to hear, "Jesus, Jesus Everywhere!"  

Leaders Listen - part 3

Yes, leaders must listen to those who are authorities in their area of leading and for the church again that is NONE OTHER than Christ Jesus.  Too, leaders do well to listen to the council of others, for the perspective of those not sitting in your chair can and I believe will bring a balance to your leadership.

Lastly, leaders must listen to what is going on around them.  Leaders must hear what is being said in their surrounding cultures and how it is being said.  No one demonstrated this point better than Christ Jesus.  Note in the gospels His teaching with parables involved settings and situations that were familiar to His present culture.  He addressed needs that were on the top of people's needs and most importantly their need for hope.

Today's leader would do well to accept the challenge and lead not for the status quo but by leading for any necessary change that will meet people where they are, presently.  After all people are products of their culture.  Take a lesson from the son's of Issachar, 

"The Men of Issachar, ...understood the times and knew what Israel should do."
1 Chronicles 12:32

What are you hearing from today's culture?

Leaders Listen (part 2)

The challenge of every leader is over confidence.  Yes, a leader must lead and that does take conviction and confidence in his / her vision, but all of us would do well to take note of God's Word to Cain, "sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you..." (Genesis 4:7).  For we as leaders, the sin that is always crouching at our door is OVER CONFIDENCE.

The wisdom to keep this sin from "mastering over us" is to follow the God given wisdom of a GREAT leader of old, King Solomon.  In his great experience and God's gift of wisdom to him he said, 

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
Proverbs 12:15, (NASB95)

So,  a wise leader and effective leader will...

1. First be open to council.  Just because you seek the council of others doesn't mean you are wise, you have to listen to the council you have sought.  After listening to council then bath it in prayer and listen for Christ Jesus' word.  After all every leader in the church is Christ Jesus' under study.
2. Secondly, prayerfully surround yourself with godly and growing followers of Christ whom you bounce ideas off of and get their take on issues of leadership, ministry, and the spiritual condition.
3. Lastly every leader must be listening to the experience of past and present leaders and especially those that show a track record of God's hand on their ministry.  God's favor on others is always a great source of observed council.  

Be wise and LISTEN!  You'll be glad you did and so will those you are responsible for leading.

Leaders Listen (part 1)

Leaders that actually lead have to have much more than charisma, confidence and a clear vision.  What every level of leader must have to lead effectively is the ability and humility to LISTEN.  So I thought I would share with you three areas I believe - through personal experience - every leader should lend their ear and listen.

Without a shadow of a doubt, any leader should be listening to the authorities in their particular field of leadership.  As a pastor of a local church, I know I am but an under-shepherd of the church's true Shepherd, Christ Jesus.  So EVERY leader in the church and especially those in lead pastoral positions MUST be giving their ear to hear from Christ Jesus.  What does that mean?

1.  Christ Jesus speaks primarily through His Word.  Ya think!  How many in leadership spend more time reading the latest book on church ministry / leadership and only a smidgen (that's southern for a mere pinch) of time hearing Jesus in His Word.  I have been guilty of this and have been convicted more than once that my instruction must come FIRST and FOREMOST from hearing "The Shepherd" in His Word.  Can Jesus speak through other writers and speakers?  Yes.  However, everything MUST be filtered through "the Source" of true wisdom - God's Wisdom, the Bible.

2.  Therefore, every pastor, church leader must make it a point, a discipline to intentionally and consistently spend time with Jesus in His Word.  Not a hunt and peck kind of conversation, but a systematic reading of His Word.  This way you want be simply "proof texting" your ideas but you will be exposed to His Wisdom from His leading, a direction everyone of His followers should be going.

3.  So answer this question, "who are you listening to?"