The You're a Star!

“The only girl in the world" (Got your attention huh?!)
I’m not promoting Rihanna - lol.  Really, as I considering a topic this week the song came on the radio - yes, I've got teens that have "jacked" car my radio! I monitor it though :)  Anyway ... it’s a great concept and reality. Ladies, you know it ... men, we better get it! However, in the world of leadership, the principle is paramount.  The people you lead have to know that they matter. What they do, what they accomplish, how they feel, how much they have achieved, etc. This of course has to be genuinely felt. If it’s not they WILL KNOW … and LET YOU KNOW! The important thing is that you understand everyone’s need for validation, fairness, guidance and integrity. The wise leader will take these notions to heart. Solomon says in the book of Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” He says in Proverbs 18:13 "He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame."  Also in Proverbs 28:21 “To have respect of persons is not good …” Again in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Lastly he says in Proverbs 16:23 “A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.”  These and many, many more speak to the wisdom a leader so desperately needs. A leader (in the home, church, or organization) must among other things be a disseminator of knowledge i.e. give people what they need to succeed. In doing this you make them feel that they matter. When people know without a doubt that they matter – and not just lip service – they will begin to live out their purpose for being in the group! In the home and church, where young people are concerned; if your only dealings with them are to constantly shine a negative light on their doings, they will cower, shrink, and disappear. Part of making sure people matter is simply telling them! Withholding your praise will only make matters worse. Let people hear from you that they matter … that you care what happens in their lives … that you are excited about their progress and achievements. When they do a good thing, let them know (even if it’s half way right). When Peter expressed his personal growth in his proclamation that Jesus was the “Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16), Jesus was excited that Peter opened his mind to the Father above and received the truth of who He was. He was heard to say “Blessed are you!” I’m sure Peter felt pretty good at that moment. (Wouldn’t you?) John C. Maxwell calls this “The Law of Connection”. You have to connect with people before you can lead, confront, discipline, or challenge them. People will gladly spend and be spent with a group where they know they are appreciated. If the connection is not there, you will fail every time and instead of your follower, child, spouse, group, etc knowing for sure that they matter, the suspense may drive them wild and they will begin to rebel, complain, or worse, “hit the road”. If God has placed you in a leadership function, always to “Make them feel, like they’re the only ones in the world”! So, I’ll give it to the pop star this time, she made me think!

Now you have the CLUE!

Thank God for the Pressure?!

Thank God For The Pressure! (2 Corinthians 1:1-11)

This text is about pressure … but also about Hope. It is also about Community and even Leadership.

The apostle refers to a time when he was under enormous strain, stress, and intense pressure. His human capacity to endure was at its limit. The pressure points were swelling and the proverbial walls were caving in. Among the thoughts in Paul’ mind was to prove and settle the fact that his ministry was indeed of God unto whom he was called to be an apostle for. Some of the very folk he loved were getting his service to God “twisted.”

The only thing clear to him was death. Trouble was at his doorstep … Tribulations were awaiting him … Trials were after him … and Triumph was nowhere to be found.

Perhaps you have been there? Pressure! Today’s world is full of pressure. Pressure to win (at all costs) … pressure to perform, achieve, and just to get by. No sector of society is immune to it. Preacher and President … congressmen and church men … first lady and bag lady … We all feel its effects. Emotionally and financially we are drained … Spiritually we are spent … Physically we are broke-down. The question is not how to avoid it, but how to deal with it. Running is not the answer. Ignoring it is not the answer. Avoiding it will only make it worse. What should a person in today’s world do? I need to remind you that many a person's mettle was forged in the battle to overcome and deal with the pressures of life. Someone has said “If you don't go through a test, you have no test-i-mony.”

So, how shall we deal with the pressure-cookers of life? While we may never be faced with the pressures Paul felt and underwent, we all have pressure points – pressure that makes us want to scream! Yes, I almost screamed when I saw those gas prices the other day! J

-          Mornings we want to run away

-          Afternoons we wish we could hide

-          Nights we wish could go on forever

-          Days we don’t feel like going on

-          Times we just want to quit

But rather than run, hide, or quit … I suggest another option. Use the pressure points of life to God’s glory!

A close look at the text reveals at least five (5) things pressure can do for us.

1. Pressure can lead us to God’s comfort- God of all comfort = paraklesis – parakeleo = call or come to our side.  Like the comforter i.e. Holy Spirit  ... IOW God is near! How near? Very near – closer than close – easier than using a cell phone, quicker than using e-mail … God is so close – God is there when you need him! Just ask Martha and Mary – (John 11) … Lazarus was sick, Jesus was away, they found him! He is always close by – Psalms 121 … “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills …” He is there when you need him – whatever you are facing, whatever you are up against, whatever you are afraid of, etc

2. Pressure can equip us to comfort others God comforts us  “in” all our tribultation so that we can help others! God is with you while going through your test and when he delivers you you must help others ... get it? When God helps you through something he is positioning you to help someone else … its like a cycle …- When you go through your pain of sickness, death of loved ones, difficulties, etc. and God’s helping Spirit (Comforter) is with you and keeps you from losing it; you in turn help someone else who might be stuck and can’t get out …
3. Pressure can produce patient endurance - Hope
   The book of James (1:3) says the trying of your faith worketh patience
   This speaks of “hope” i.e. cheerful or hopeful endurance ... Back in John 11, Jesus said "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God" ...  God is in the mix, don't worry!
   We read in Hebrews 12:2 … Jesus for the joy endured the cross, despising the shame, etc

- Resurrection comes only after the cross!

4. Pressure can teach us to rely on God- Trust in God, not in self, other men, situation, etc. but trust in God even when things look their worst … when you are at a Dead end – when you must take an unfamiliar Detour – when you are at a Dry place … Trust God! The Children of Israel had to learn to trust God’s leading …When there was no food, he fed the, when there was no water, he gave them water from a rock … he protected them, he guided them, he kept them! So we rely on Him today. Why? If he can raise the dead, feed a nation of people, walk on water, etc.. he can bring life to your issues … financially, health, relationship, housing, educational

5. – Pressure can generate prayerful thanksgiving among believers  - Community  Helping by praying for each other … Paul says – “Because I was under pressure and you prayed for me and God delivered me –the gift – they can also rejoice and give God the glory!” When we use those words "I'm praying for you", let's mean it and see what God does! You are also blessed by asking God to bless others who are in the pressure cooker!

As a fellow minister friend of mine says "Let's be HopeDealers!" 

Hope can build us a bridge from despair to deliverance

Hope can lead us from grief to grace

Hope can move us from bitterness to blessing

Hope can lift us from tragedy to triumph

Hope can push us from suicide to salvation

 

We sing the song sometimes: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness … On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

You've Got the CLUE!

So you've got talent?

This morning during the pre-dawn, hours I was watching an old episode of “I Love Lucy” – the black & white ones! This episode like so many others centered on Lucy’s insatiable desire to perform in one of Ricky’s musicals. There seemed to be no length that she wouldn’t go to make sure she was available to be a part of the show! Ricky, knowing that his lovely wife wasn’t suited for the spotlight (so he thought), would still devise or rework a scene in the show that would feature Lucy in a “minor” role. Those minor role’s would become “major” roles once Lucy got involved … she would see to that! What a comedienne!

As I laughed to myself (remember it’s the pre-dawn hour), it occurred to me that in the workplace, church, religious organization or the home, there always seems to be a “Lucy” trying to get the spotlight. Many times they are honest people who just simply want an opportunity to experience the “limelight” for a moment and then they will be fine and will allow things to continue as they were. Kind of like little Johnny wanting to sing for his aunts & uncles at Thanksgiving just to get a rise out of them for a moment and after the attention he’s fine. Well what do you do when you know someone is not suited for the stage, but insists to you and everyone else who will listen that they are? Well for starters it’s a good idea to see if they are serious in their request. Do they have a true passion for the work?! Then, which is often the case, training or mentoring is in order. In the bible the older Apostle Paul trained and mentored the younger minster Timothy. I don’t think Timothy was vying for attention (especially since some of Paul’s words to him may suggest that he was timid) but nonetheless he started out ill-equipped for the job i.e. he was young, inexperienced, at a large church, and compared to Paul, he was a complete novice!

Yet the apostle spent his time and attention on him to assure him that although he may not be ready for center-stage at the moment, if he followed his lead, he would one day be an equipped and empowered minster! We get a glimpse of this in 1 Timothy 4:12-14 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you …” (NKJV). That may very well be what Lucy needed! Maybe if Ricky recognized that she was talented and just needed to be directed (or re-directed) he would’ve experienced less of her shenanigans and would have welcomed her as a valued member of his team. That’s a function of leadership! John C. Maxwell writes “God doesn’t necessarily choose leaders based on their natural talent or ability. Neither does He always choose them based on their age and experience. God chooses leaders based on their availability not their ability …” (The Maxwell Leadership Bible).  Although Lucy may not have been really talented, she was always there and ready!

In your home, job, or church, if you are leader you must keep your eyes and ears open for those looking for opportunities to shine. Sometimes they will purposely jump in your eyesight or scream in your ears, but your job is to evaluate the desire or request and determine with God’s help, where and when they can be utilized to share their gifts and talents. It is also your job to refer “Lucy’s” to a sideline position if that is necessary! “Lucy, you’ve got some splaining to do!”

Now you have the CLUE!