Through You

I am so glad Jesus came and died for all the sins of the world. I am so glad that He broke the power of sin over you and me. I'm also very glad that with His infinite love, God poured out grace and mercy on us. Through Christ Jesus, God's only Son we are forgiven of our sins. Forever and ever we will dwell with Him. What a deal! Only through Jesus can we obtain this indescribable gift from our God.

Not only will those who accept His sacrifice (Jesus Himself) dwell with Him throughout all eternity, but we become His ambassadors right here, now...on planet earth. "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20) 

I noticed something very interesting here. Paul says "...we beg you...be reconciled to God." Why is Paul begging the Corinthians to be reconciled to God? So they would go to heaven? Not necessarily. Was it so they would not go to hell? Not really. It is quite clear. Paul is begging the Corinthians to be reconciled to God through Christ so they would become ambassadors for Christ. You see, a genuine relationship with Jesus is more that an assurance you and I will go to heaven (and not to hell). Thank God for that fact. But according to Paul, we become ambassadors for Jesus, as though God Himself were entreating through us.

How can anyone live a mediocre, lackluster life if God Himself were entreating those around them to come to Jesus? Think about that one. If I am a born again, spirit-filled follower of Jesus, I am an ambassador for Jesus Christ. God Himself is entreating the world to come to Him......through me! Wow! When you look at it like that it lights up some stuff many folks don't realize.

Can I be satisfied with a couple of hours of church each week? No. Can I be satisfied having a regular, consistent quiet time? No. I must present myself, outside of my comfort zone, in ways through which God can entreat others to come to Jesus through me. You and I must seek out ways to serve others. We must listen to the hearts of others and seek to minister Jesus to them. To accept Jesus, and sit back and wait until we get to heaven just might not get us there. Or it might cost us some rewards! The following Scripture passage has been controversial, but it has a distinct meaning. If it were one to ignore, Jesus would not have said it:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23) According to Jesus, to disobey Him is to practice lawlessness. One who is unsaved practices lawlessness. (Keyword - lawlessness)

Listen to the positive. We have the right and the authority to be ambassadors for Christ! 

What could be better? Nothing! It is our choice. The choice we make will affect our eternity one way or the other. As Paul did in 2 Corinthians, I beg you to come to Jesus. Become His ambassador. If you already know Him, know that you are His ambassador. Allow God Himself to draw others to Jesus through you. Don't sit back and wait for heaven, or for...

Also study Matthew 25:34-40.

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Until We Meet Again

It's good to be blogging again. For the past month and a half I've been out-of-pocket as my Mother slipped slowly and steadily toward her departure for glory. She departed on Tuesday, February 3rd quietly and peacefully. There is no more pain and suffering. In addition to being in the presence of Jesus, she is totally healed. What a blessing! Even though we miss her, I can rejoice at the fact that she is in a better place, and much better off.

Mother had been in a nursing home for the past 19 months. But over the last 6 weeks Connie (my wife), and my two sisters Kathie and Cindy (and myself) became consumed with making her departure as comfortable as possible. There were times when we simply sat with her. Other times we sang worship songs and prayed over her. Still other times we sat with family and got closer to one another. Let me say my family is incredible. When I go, if there is that much notice, I pray my family surrounds me in the same way!

I know you have probably heard a bad thing or two about nursing homes. But let me say quite honestly and directly...I cannot think of one single negative thing about the nursing home in which my mother stayed. She was tended to constantly. As the family began spending more time in the nursing home, the nursing home tended to us as well. I would call the Jasper General Nursing Home more than a nursing home...it is a ministry.

Many times I rehearsed her departure in my mind, over and over. I thought of how I would respond when she left for heaven. She had suffered a lot, and we were praying for God's mercy on her. But when it actually happened it broke my heart. Just to know she was gone, broke my heart. In my head I knew she was in a better place, but still my heart was broken. Then the Holy Spirit began doing what He does...comforting. He reminded me of how (just that morning) my sister Kathie was driving through our neighborhood when a deer darted out in front of her car and crossed the road. She said the deer looked like it was flying. (No. It wasn't a reindeer!) It was prancing across the road. Immediately the Holy Spirit spoke to her and said that was Mother's spirit. She is now free! We believe her spirit was already free at that time. What a confirmation of not only that she was departing, but that she was free. Free of the chains that bound her physically!

Connie received a text from our daughter Stacie late Tuesday night after learning she had departed. Here is the text message: 

"I wanted to let you know that I was interceding for Grandmother tonight, a deep intercession. I saw her room full of angels, and later I also saw her giddy wearing a pair of high heels (I don't know what that means), but I got a peace that she would be home soon. I am so relieved for her and heart broken at the same time. Love you!!"

If you knew Mother you knew what the high heels meant! But what an incredible confirmation engineered by the Holy Spirit to comfort us!

And here is how the Holy Spirit comforted my broken heart. Mother passed away on Tuesday evening. At some point on Wednesday (the next day), the Holy Spirit let me feel the joy she was experiencing in heaven. It was very brief, but it was just enough to move the knowledge in my head to reality in my heart. I was overwhelmed! I still miss her. I still hurt. But I know I will see her again. I am overjoyed to KNOW (in my spiritual knower) that she is where she needs to be. She is rejoicing in the presence of Jesus! And she is dancing in high heels! Just saying. Therefore I am rejoicing with her! The Holy Spirit is truly the Comforter.

To know Jesus as Savior is to know the comfort of His Spirit. To know Jesus is to know that we will be with others (who know Jesus)...who depart before us. Make sure you know Him. Settle that today. Then live for Him from here on out. The "here on out" is forever and ever. I am rejoicing in the fact that I will be with Mother and Dad, and all of my family that knew Jesus, and have already departed before me. And I will know Jesus and live for Him...until we meet again!

Are You Leading A Team Or Driving A Group Of Individuals?

The principles of "leading" I am about to discuss apply to all leaders across the board. No matter what type of leader you may be, you must lead in a away that develops a team...not a group of individuals!

Throughout my years in ministry and in retail I have observed and learned a few simple principles that are highly successful in developing a team. It is a team you want. Not a group of individuals. When everyone is a team player, you have an effective, successful team. Whatever the mission before you...it will be accomplished.

The first principle in developing a genuine team is that you the leader must be a team player. You must be willing to get in there and rub elbows with your subordinates. Yes...you are the leader, but you must be a team player as well. Your subordinates will gain confidence in your leadership, and you will gain their respect if you are willing to lend a helping hand when necessary. As a matter of fact, the best way to train them is to show them, not just tell them.

As an example, I remember when I worked for a large, national retail chain. Our store general manager sat in his office and gave orders to everyone else. He only came out on the floor when there was a problem (or when the district manager showed up). We continuously failed our compliance evaluations because no one really knew what to do...as a team. When that manager was canned we got a totally different one. He rolled up his sleeves, got involved with the people, and taught us a lot about the business. He still gave the orders and made all the command decisions. He didn't have the best personality, but he produced an effective, successful team. He was a team player and thus an effective leader. I learned more from him than any other manager.

Another crucial principle in leadership is the principle of praise and reward. Sadly this principle is missing in most management/leadership scenarios today. When members of your team perform well, praise them; reward them. When the entire team does well, do the same! I used to give "high-fives" to my team members when they reached a goal or performed well. Some thought it was silly at first. But after a short while I began to hear, "Where's my high-five?" They even began to give one another high-fives! If a person never receives positive recognition and reward from leadership, but instead receives only correction from the same, that member will feel isolated from the team. When team members feel isolated, there really is no team. Don't make your team members feel unimportant, because they really are very important!

Another principle I want to discuss is training. Training is crucial. When a team member feels prepared, they will perform in an effective manner. But when they are not prepared, they cannot be as effective. Sadly many team members receive more correction, even discipline for not doing it the right way...when they were never taught to do it the right way! The truth is...it is the leader's fault for not insuring they are properly trained! Make sure your team is properly trained for the mission. This is a crucial leadership responsibility! And did I mention this was crucial?

Question: Is longevity in an employee/volunteer a sign of good leadership? Maybe, maybe not. Many people stay on for job security, but hate their job. Many people miss out on living their God-given destiny...simply for job security. They never actually live their dream. There are some however, who stay because they are truly content. They live their dream! These folks love their job/position and are quite effective at it. These folks are team players. And this should be the goal of every leader...to make team players.

So, are you driving a group of individuals or are you leading a team? Many leaders drive, and will never be effective at leading. Remember, leading has not only the mission in mind, but equally as important, the team member. Jesus is known as the great Shepherd, not the great cattle driver. He said of Himself, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:11) Like Jesus, any good shepherd/leader makes it paramount to blaze a trail for those he influences as well as get the mission accomplished. If you are a good leader, you are developing an effective team that will accomplish the mission and more!

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The Most Powerful Form of Giving

With all the abusive teaching and practices concerning giving these days (especially in the church), I can understand one being a little leery about getting involved in the process. However, amidst all the abusive clutter we must know the heart of Jesus concerning this extremely basic principle. Yes, giving is a Biblical principle that when exercised moves the heart of Jesus. So it makes great sense to know His heart concerning giving.

There is an incident in Mark Chapter 12 in which Jesus literally observes people giving. As Jesus is observing (observing, not watching) he notices there are a lot rich people giving large sums. Big bucks were being dropped in the treasury.  Why would Jesus be so concerned to the point of observing how people were giving? Let's look a little closer at the incident in Mark. At one point Jesus notices a very poor widow come forward and put in just two copper coins (one cent). His heart was moved to an immediate response. “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury!” Remember many rich folk were coming and putting in large sums of money. This poor widow put in just a cent’s worth and Jesus calls it more than all the others combined! What was He thinking? Here is the heart of Jesus: “…for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." To give out of poverty is the same as giving out of your need.

This is the most powerful form of giving; giving out of your need, not from your surplus. It is easy to give out of surplus. To give out of your surplus is to trust in your own supply. But to give out of your need is to trust Jesus. In addition, to give out of your need is to give all you have, and trust Jesus to take care of you. There is divine power in this kind of giving. Why? Because God is moved to get involved in the process!

Giving out of your need takes an exercise of your faith. Faith moves the heart of Jesus, and thus His hand! Most folks give when they have it. There is no faith in this…and there is no divine power either. But there are a few who, like the poor widow, give out of their need or lack. They don’t have much to give, but according to Jesus, it is more than the rest combined! O that we would just take hold of this extremely powerful principle available to us today!

A question for you: Does Jesus observe the way you give? Is He really that concerned whether you give out of your own surplus, or out of your need? The answer is yes! Jesus is concerned because there are people in this world you can help today simply by giving even just a little. He is equally concerned with your heart, and how much you trust Him in your giving. He knows that if your trust Him, He can bless others through you.

Let me encourage you. In this brand new year of 2015, find a place to give. But let it be a stretch for you. Give in such a way you must trust Jesus. Exercise your faith. Make a commitment to give out of your own lack or need. Make a divine difference. Yes...according to Jesus it is the most powerful form of giving.

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