Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. (Ruth 2:11 NLT)
Sacrifice is never overlooked by God. And anything that is done great for God's kingdom comes with sacrifice.
Ruth sacrificed everything because of commitment and relationship to Naomi. She left comfort, security and familiarity.
All great movements come with great sacrifice. The issue is that we live in a generation that wants great success without great sacrifice. This generation, especially the "Generation X" wants the houses and cars their parents have- NOW.....without the sacrifices, so they get in debt.
Sacrifice is never overlooked by God. Anytime you sacrifice, view it as a seed. You will eventually reap a harvest.
Think about this. We don't celebrate heroes because of their status, but the level of sacrifice it took to get them there.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Anatomy of the Assignment
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)
Your life is made up of many, "mini" assignments. The Apostle Paul had assignments in the book of Acts. We call these assignments, "journeys." Every assignment Paul engaged had two important elements; length and purpose. We can sound cool like T.D Jakes and make it rhyme by saying, "season and reason (in your best preacher voice)."
Every time you enter an assignment these two elements must be at the forefront of your mind.
Know that your assignment has an expiration date. There is a length to how long this assignment is. Enjoy it. Make use of everyday. Once you step into that city, the hour glass is going.
Your assignment also has a reason or purpose. Like Nehemiah, survey what your purpose may be there. What problem has God assigned you to solve?
People who look upon previous assignments in a negative manner did not keep the anatomy of the assignment at the forefront of their mind. Pray over it. Think about it. Journal. Don't leave this assignment not knowing this important principle.
a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT)
Your life is made up of many, "mini" assignments. The Apostle Paul had assignments in the book of Acts. We call these assignments, "journeys." Every assignment Paul engaged had two important elements; length and purpose. We can sound cool like T.D Jakes and make it rhyme by saying, "season and reason (in your best preacher voice)."
Every time you enter an assignment these two elements must be at the forefront of your mind.
Know that your assignment has an expiration date. There is a length to how long this assignment is. Enjoy it. Make use of everyday. Once you step into that city, the hour glass is going.
Your assignment also has a reason or purpose. Like Nehemiah, survey what your purpose may be there. What problem has God assigned you to solve?
People who look upon previous assignments in a negative manner did not keep the anatomy of the assignment at the forefront of their mind. Pray over it. Think about it. Journal. Don't leave this assignment not knowing this important principle.
Monday, February 6, 2012
As a Team Corporately
The last post talked about the importance of "team" versus "individual." The Giants have won the Super Bowl and it shows the value of the team mindset.
My last post was about the local church body. This post is about the Body of Christ as a whole.
Too many churches have the "individual" mindset. They see other churches as competition and view themselves as superior because of style or methodology. I experienced this first hand several years back. There was a church that split off from another church in a city. The bigger church that was split from offered me a position. The pastor that splintered off also wanted me to come and serve. Dianna and I felt the Lord leading us in this decision to go with the established church, not the splinter church. I had breakfast with Pastor "Split." He trashed that church and broke off our friendship in a professional manner when I accepted a position there. Funny thing is that I approached him for breakfast because he preached Kingdom. He just could not live it.
How are you connecting the churches in your community?
Do you make meetings about your vision or do you seek to help others?
Do you praise or trash other churches?
Jesus sees the churches in our city as one. Why can't we? We are a TEAM.
For more on this concept, read Jason Dukes new book- BEYOND MY CHURCH.
My last post was about the local church body. This post is about the Body of Christ as a whole.
Too many churches have the "individual" mindset. They see other churches as competition and view themselves as superior because of style or methodology. I experienced this first hand several years back. There was a church that split off from another church in a city. The bigger church that was split from offered me a position. The pastor that splintered off also wanted me to come and serve. Dianna and I felt the Lord leading us in this decision to go with the established church, not the splinter church. I had breakfast with Pastor "Split." He trashed that church and broke off our friendship in a professional manner when I accepted a position there. Funny thing is that I approached him for breakfast because he preached Kingdom. He just could not live it.
How are you connecting the churches in your community?
Do you make meetings about your vision or do you seek to help others?
Do you praise or trash other churches?
Jesus sees the churches in our city as one. Why can't we? We are a TEAM.
For more on this concept, read Jason Dukes new book- BEYOND MY CHURCH.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Team vs. Individual
Watching the Superbowl media day interviews of the 2 teams in Superbowl 46 was very telling of why they are there.
The players from the Patriots and Giants both had a "team" concept versus an "individual" concept. Eli Manning even said, "It's not about my legacy. It's about these guys and our team accomplishing all they can."
Why don't churches have this mindset? As individuals and church bodies. There are way too many people that are about themselves and their legacy. The reason many churches and cities don't win us because they are full of diva church members. They want what's best for them versus what is best for the team.
I have seen these type of folks spark up and spark out at The Well. They may preach a team concept, but the second they don't get the ball they start crying. They make it about themselves. They complain to other team members because they don't get their way. They don't get involved unless they can be the spotlight.
These folks are cancers and consumers.
Thank God I have folks at The Well that want the team to win and the body of Christ to win. They see what needs to be done and will take on any role to help the team. Team players don't have to tell you they are team players. Everyone knows it.
You can never start a God-honoring movement without those with a team mindset. Ask God to remove and prine your ministry of the Terrell Owen's type players. Start rewarding team players who serve and look for TEAM first.
You ready for the Superbowl?
(next post will be about churches in the body of Christ)
The players from the Patriots and Giants both had a "team" concept versus an "individual" concept. Eli Manning even said, "It's not about my legacy. It's about these guys and our team accomplishing all they can."
Why don't churches have this mindset? As individuals and church bodies. There are way too many people that are about themselves and their legacy. The reason many churches and cities don't win us because they are full of diva church members. They want what's best for them versus what is best for the team.
I have seen these type of folks spark up and spark out at The Well. They may preach a team concept, but the second they don't get the ball they start crying. They make it about themselves. They complain to other team members because they don't get their way. They don't get involved unless they can be the spotlight.
These folks are cancers and consumers.
Thank God I have folks at The Well that want the team to win and the body of Christ to win. They see what needs to be done and will take on any role to help the team. Team players don't have to tell you they are team players. Everyone knows it.
You can never start a God-honoring movement without those with a team mindset. Ask God to remove and prine your ministry of the Terrell Owen's type players. Start rewarding team players who serve and look for TEAM first.
You ready for the Superbowl?
(next post will be about churches in the body of Christ)
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