Are You in the Wrong Place?

We remember and recognize the great work of Gideon (Judges 6 – 8). He led a downsized army of 300 and with God’s guidance he brought great victory to Israel during a dismal period of the Judges. He is certainly to be honored for his leadership. But what you may not have considered is that during a very crucial time in the history of God’s people, Gideon was in hiding. God’s people were “shut-up” and “shut-out” … They lived in caves and dens and were not even able to enjoy the fruit of their labor for fear of it being taken by their oppressors! When God’s messenger appeared to Gideon he was covertly covering his crop in order to keep enough for him and his family … he was simply in self-survival mode. The situation of the few (his family) seemed to weigh more on his heart than the situation of the many (his nation).

When the messenger addressed him, he did so in a way that perhaps was foreign to Gideon. Instead of calling his name, he said “Thou mighty man of valor”! Surely Gideon was shocked. Can you hear him, “I’m just a man trying to take care of my family in these hard times!” However, he was God’s chosen vessel for such a time as they were in and therefore he was addressed as he was truly in his heart! (God knows!) He was called to do a job much nobler and gallant than his current position of hiding grain. In other words, “He was the Right Man in the Wrong Place”!

When we think of a hero, we think of a man with an iron will and a bedrock spirit. We envision a man with the sharpest intellect and a zealous spirit. When we think of a hero we see a man accustomed to hardship and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if warranted. When we think of a hero we see a man willing to ride alone into battle. He is a man of action, purpose and drive. We don’t envision a hero as someone sitting on the sidelines and hiding in the bushes. We don’t picture as a hero one who is willing to let others do what he can do. No, when we picture a hero, we see someone with the mettle to withstand the fiercest battle and darkest night.

Gideon was to “play the hero” that day and in subsequent days ahead! Even when he tried to evade the issue by saying his family was not prominent or that he was not the preferred one in his father’s house, he was assured that the LORD would be with him! “You Got this son!”

I am not suggesting that what he was currently doing was wrong, but it was not what God needed him to be doing at such a time as the times they were in. Desperate times call for valiant measures and God needed this young man to fulfill his purpose … he needed him to be a thresher of men, rather than a thresher of wheat.

God did with Gideon what all good leaders do … put the right people in the right place! It’s a function of leadership to identify the task to be accomplished, identify all the parameters needed to fulfill it, and to choose a warm body to get it done!

Where are you today “O man or Woman of Valor”? Are you in the Right Place? Have you considered the plight of your nation, your family, your church? It’s honorable to “take care of yours” … but it is critical that you make yourself available to take care of God’s! Will you step out of the winepress of self-survival to the frontline of leadership?

Now you have the CLUE!

Take 5, 6, or 7 into 2011!

Take these 7 into 2011!

As a leader of people …any people … there are several areas that should be considered in order to have a successful organization or followers. Since we are still buzzing over the New Year, I thought it feasible to list a few administrative Tid-bits that I try to live by in my leadership/ministry role …

Seven things that should be developed on the part of administrative leaders in the church/organization are:

1. Stimulate their “Want-to” as opposed to their “Have to”! The leader should arouse or stimulate self involvement. A person will work more effectively on something that he wants to do or something that is his idea rather than something he is told to do. Leaders must involve the group in the planning and sharing of ideas, etc. the leader must guide the group into the discovery of what they desire and need to accomplish.
2. Don’t be a total control freak! The leader should be able to give freedom and still keep control. This is indeed a challenge. You don’t stifle creativity nor give the people the feeling that they can’t do anything. However, the reality is that the leader is still the leader and the one people will ultimately look to. This is truly a skill that good leaders and administrators develop over time. Others must be deputized and then supervised. You are the organizer and the one with the resources such as inspiration and encouragement to give to the others.
3. See through their lenses, goggles, or contacts! Learn to identify yourself with others. You must put yourself in their place i.e. how do they see things. What abilities and comments can they offer? Don’t stay in the “ivory” tower and forget the day-to-day work of the church others are doing.
4. Give it away! Be sure to give credit where credit is due. This gives a feeling of appreciation for people and gives assurance that they are doing the job well. Perhaps one of the worst things or feelings in the world (and the church) is to be doing a job and not be sure whether or not it is being done correctly. A good principle to remember is “there’s no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you don’t care who gets the credit”.
5. Be contagious like a virus! Learn to show confidence not only in yourself but in your people.  A strong leader helps to produce strong people. When a leader shows courage, confidence, and has a positive attitude, it becomes very contagious and spreads.
6. Don’t take it … personal! Learn to deal with problem people and problem situations. There is no getting around it as every organization will encounter them. Some suggestions are as follows: Do not identify with a matter i.e. make it personal. There are times when criticism is needed because we all make mistakes or have bad ideas. Be prepared to go the second mile with the opposition i.e. take the time and consider the whole picture including the alternatives, in other words, don’t be so dismissive of people when they criticize or present problem situations.
7. Make your word bond! The ability to demand respect. People in the group, organization or church should be able to respect the leader as the leader. To help accomplish this, the leader must be truthful and above board with people. Also the leader should be factual and above board about mistakes. Be realistic in planning and programming. Don’t exaggerate or paint a rosy, pie in the sky picture that is not practical. A positive spirit is a must for an administrative leader. Then, by all means, the leader should be trustworthy. People must know that they can take you at your word.

Happy Leading!

Now you have the CLUE!

What Will You Do When He Brings You Through? Cry, Commit, Declare, Praise!

A study of Psalm 66

 
This Psalm is composed of two independent but related units. The first unit is actually a hymn – vv.1-12, which may be further divided into two separate hymns. The second unit contains an additional thanksgiving psalm – vv.13-20

It is from this second unit (vv. 13-20) that we will draw most of our attention. However, good hermeneutics demands that we discover the meaning of the preceding text and context. The psalmist writes from the general theme of Thanksgiving for deliverance. All the earth is invited to praise God for the marvels performed for His people (Ps 66:1-4); the marvels, especially His turning the sea into dry land (Ps 66:5-7); is the ground of praise, in that He brought His people into a wealthy place.

God is to be praised by all his creation. He is King and Majesty … he is Lord and God … he is Savior and Master … he is Deliverer and Host of the army. Anything that was is because He is … anything that is – is because of his power … anything that will be is only because of his mercy! 

The earth … all the earth … all the lands … is invited and strongly encouraged to recognize and give God the praise he deserves. They are encouraged to Make a joyful noise … Sing forth the honor of his name … Make his praise glorious … Say unto God how awesome … The are invited to Submit to him one way or another! 

“All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing unto thy name.”

This is and invitation …You see, he is watching and waiting … he is waiting for “all the lands” to praise him. “His eyes behold the nations” God is watching! He invites them to “Come and see the works of God”

His magnificent works are all around us …

His creative genius shines before us …

His marvelous power is evident among us …

“All the lands” need to open their eyes and realize it only by God’s hand that we move and breath and have our existence.

Then the psalmist shifts from the all the lands to all God’s people (v.8) “O bless our God, ye people” that’s the people of God! The community of believers … God’s delivered ones! They are now invited to give praise to his name … “make the voice of his praise to be heard”

Now was not the time to be silent

… now was not the time to sit back and let others speak … now it was their turn to make a joyful noise for God. You see they had a testimony …

God secured them (v.9)

Ps 66:9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.  NIV

We were tried like silver … he preserved us

We were captured in the “net” … he preserved us

We had heavy burdens on our backs … he preserved us

He caused evil men to ride us

We went through the “fire and water”

Isa 43:2

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

KJV

The Apostle Paul declares in 2 Cor 4:8-9

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

KJV

God preserved them and brought them through to a wealthy place i.e. a place of “abundance” … isn’t God good!

Now the psalmist gets personal … we all should get personal with regard to what God has done for us. Yes the world needs to recognize him … the community of believers (the church) needs to recognize him …

but YOU must make it personal.

 What will you do when he brings you through?

There are a series of “I WILL’s” in the text that will help you do what you need to do when He brings you through.

1. I Will Go into the house… v. 13a … Movement! (Also “with” … what will you bring with you when you come … your attitude, etc)
2. I Will Pay thee my vows … v.13b …Commitment! (Lord if you … I will) (Also today the promises and works you commit to doing should be kept … Jesus kept his promises)
3. I Will Offer … v.15a … Sacrifice! (Time, Talent, Tithes)
4. I Will Declare … v.16 … Tell Somebody! What has God done for you?

We’ve got to open our mouths and declare the goodness of God

It is God that has been good to you

It is God that brought you from a mighty long way

It is God who puts clothes on your back

It is God who puts food on your table

It is God who brought your child back safely

It is God who has kept your marriage together all these years

It is God who is keeping you sane after losing your loved ones

Don’t you know it is God:

-          who keeps your heart beating 100,000 times a day

-          who puts the sweet taste at the tip of your tongue

-          who placed the 31 pairs of spinal nerves that originate from the spinal cord to provide two-way communication

-          who placed that three pound piece of “jelly” that we call a brain where it is and causes it to control every thing we do with or without thinking

One more thing here ...

The psalmist lets us know the process it took and for him to Go, Pay, Offer, Declare

v.17-20

I cried out to him! V.17a

I committed my praise to him! V.17b

I declared my innocence to him! V.18

I praise him because he surely listened to me! Vv.19-20

 Cry ... Commit ... Declare ... Praise!

Note: (In the above photo I was in extreme pain due to two herniated discs in my back ... we held a "Stop the Violence Rally" in Hopewell and I gave an anti-violence speech. When I recovered you couldn't shut me up about how God brought me through with no surgery!!)

Now you've got the CLUE!

"I have Plans for you!"

Jer 29:10-13

 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

As we end one year and begin the New Year, we fix plans to our agenda as if it all depends on us. Let us always remember that as we make our earthly plans for the day and the year, that God has some plans from a heavenly agenda! He has aligned the circumstances just right so that when we are ready … ready to return to him …  ready to acknowledge  him … ready to share his beauty with others … when we are ready, He has some plans with our names on them.  He has plans to prosper our endeavors and lead us into a future filled with hope. He sets it all up for us and it is up to us to simply claim it! As God’s people we have to trust and acknowledge Him and that he has always been there  … Yes, He has been there this year when we were at our worst … He was looking when we did that which shouldn’t be seen … He saw that which we tried to hide! Yet He still has a plan for our lives. That plan includes our seeking Him with all of our heart, and He bringing us out of the miry mess that our lives has gotten us into.  Yes, He knows our state and He still loves us … Still plans for us … Still wants us to want Him! What a remarkable God we serve! He’s ready  … He has plans for you … Are you ready?

Now You Have The Final CLUE of 2010!

Peace for a Prosperous New Year!

He Chose a barn ... not a castle!

Author Gene Edwards writes in his book “The Divine Romance”, of a scene that must’ve been not only mind blowing but mind bending for the angelic beings of heaven: “Gabriel lifted his hand and announced: ‘Universal history is about to know its greatest hour. The Lord God is about to incarnate himself in the womb of woman and come forth in the form of human flesh.” ‘

He describes how the angels looked in amazement as their Lord disappeared from His place to that place to become God in the flesh.  Even further he describes their angelic ignorance when they discovered that he chose for his birth on earth a barn and not a castle.  (The Divine Romance)

I often wonder what that scene really looked like. Imagine if you can how it appeared when the God of all creation stepped out of that portal from the spiritual realm to the physical.  When he set out on a journey as if to find his long lost mate and bring her back to him. That day in the city of David, his journey began on earth. His travels would take him to the most amazing places: the hearts of men and women. It was in those places that it was manifested who he really was and what his mission was to be among them. He became a healer to the hurting, a helper to the helpless, and a restorer of honor to the honor-less. Although those who needed him resided in castles too, his path took him closer to those associated with the “barn type” of existence.

It was in those hearts that he stayed, even after his departure. It is because of those hearts set a blaze by his love that you & I can rejoice that we too were found and redeemed from our lost state.

I wonder how different things would’ve been if he chose a castle instead of a barn! Thank you Jesus!

Oh, and he found his bride, the church!

Now you have the CLUE!

Ok ... I got this ... I think?

Often, as leaders we may feel the need to prove our worth by being the “point man/woman” on every issue. "I got this" we say. Do we? I often wondered how great leaders do what they do seemingly by themselves. Then I discovered that they don’t. They get help!  Here’s my CLUE for the week:

            When Moses is considered in the area of administration, it is difficult to discuss him without a mention and elaboration on his father-in-law Jethro. There was a time during Moses’ leadership when he was overworked, over-tasked, and generally “in over his head”. We find this story in the book of Exodus 18:13-27. Moses had taken on the awesome responsibility of settling the disputes and other problems of the entire nation of Israel there in the wilderness.  Moses sat literally from morning to evening doing this. He felt that he alone was capable of such a monumental task. This guy had a serious “Superman Complex”! LOL. How many times is this the case in our churches, businesses, and even in the home (Superwoman – ladies!) His father-in-law came to visit and could not believe his eyes! Yes, in-laws are a great asset in financial and home planning because in most cases they have been where you are … just a CLUE! J

            Jethro inquired as to what he was doing and why other people were sitting around not being utilized. When Moses explained what he was doing, Jethro immediately gave his son-in-law some very valuable administrative advice. “The Old Man” stated that what Moses was doing was not good for the people or good for Moses. Essentially what he told him could easily be called “Principles of Administration 101”.  He shared with the basics of good administration and delegation. Moses was to train capable men for the work and allow them to make meager decisions and bring the difficult ones to him. He was to choose men with certain qualifications and train them to be effective in their roles. This is a foundational component of administration. No man can and should do it all. I mean, why would you want to!?

            Upon listening to his father-in-law Moses became a much better leader. This proves that leadership and administration principles can be taught. Kenneth O. Gangel says although “Moses was skilled in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was trained for politics and war, the task of supervising the massive movement of people seemed beyond his managerial competence.” To lead and administrate over any number of people (Moses lead over a million) you must be adept in administration. Despite his lack of stellar performance during on this occasion, Moses stands tall in the annals of leadership, management, and administration as a positive role model.

Now you have the CLUE!

(I dedicate this article to fellow gospel preacher who was recently called from his labor to rest to await his heavenly reward – Evangelist Donald J. Bennett, a great leader called too soon!)

Administration in the church … I thought all I needed was an “Axe and TwoThirty-Eights”? (Acts 2:38)

            Often times people have the faulty perception that all “The preacher” does is preach! Well, that is a great calling and one that I am glad to do each and every day! However to say that is “all” he does is not factual or fair. There are “set-ups” in churches where a board of elders or deacons oversee or ”see to it” that the work gets done, but even in those situations much of the influential guidance is held by the minister (whether he knows it or not). Now don’t hate me for living my own experience! LOL. Let’s get a CLUE … At the preachers disposal, is a text book replete with examples of the “man of God” taking the administrative role in dealing with and within God’s heritage. This text book is none other than the bible.

            The bible, God’s word, is a great handbook for administration. From the very beginning, we see God utilizing administrative leadership in the creation of the world. Everything Jehovah God did was orderly, methodical, and with a purpose. He then delegated certain work to Adam to carry out and even came by to evaluate his progress (Genesis chapter 3). God gave Adam a place to live and work (The Garden of Eden). He gave him a job to do (Keep the Garden), and he gave him a wife to care for (Eve). Each of these areas lends itself to proper administration and handling of complex situations. Adam was not only the first human being, but he was the first administrator! God tells him “… Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”  (Genesis 2:28) As an administrator, Adam set the groundwork for other patriarchs of the faith such as Abraham, Joseph, and of course Moses

            Administration can be defined as “The identification of work to be done, the division of that work into jobs, the delegation of those jobs to responsible individuals and the supervision of the work to its completion.” The display of this definition can be clearly seen during the time of the biblical character Joseph, son of Jacob, overseer of Pharaoh’s house and second in command to Pharaoh (Genesis 41). After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he elaborated on a highly effective process of keeping the nation (and the world) from starving. He identified the work to be done – take up a fifth part; he described the division of that work – gather all the food of the good years; he suggested they delegate that work to responsible individuals – appoint officers over the land; and that they should supervise the work until completion – let them keep food in the cities. When the famine came, Pharaoh directed everyone to Joseph for his administrative guidance. He was a master administrator leaving some practical lessons for the modern church, school, or Christian organization administrator today such as: being spiritually connected with God, using wisdom, and keeping a level head. These are all good qualities for spiritual administrators. Whether you are a preacher or other leader in your organization, it is always to your advantage to seek to the follow the timeless pattern set before us by the Great Administrator of the universe! [Note: Even in situations where there are no elders or other leadership, the principles of sound biblical and managerial administration can and should be utilized by those taking a leadership role.]

Now you have the CLUE!