Scripture - Acts 28:31 - "Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."
Observation - I love how this is the last sentence in the book of Acts. The book first introduces Saul as a man who was persecuting the followers of Jesus. At the end of the book, Paul is under arrest in Rome and still preaching the word of God. It's an amazing story of redemption and hope.
Application - Who in my life am I ready to give up on spiritually? When you think about family members who are far from Jesus, do you ever feel like giving up hope? If Saul can be converted to Paul, there's hope for all of us.
Prayer - Dear Lord, I pray for those who are near hopelessness today. I pray for those who have been praying for someone to recognize Jesus as their Savior for days, months, and years and feel like there has been no progress made. Encourage them today Lord. Move on their behalf and on behalf of that friend or family member. May we never lose hope or hunger to see our friends, families, and neighbors follow Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.
How do I train my replacement?
Congratulations! You’ve successfully recruited another leader! This is a big deal. Now that you’ve recruited them, the fun is just beginning. Now you get to train them in what it means to do what you do. Here are 5 steps to get you there (Taken from Community Christian Church in Chicago, IL):
Step 1: I do, you watch, we talk.
· Let the new person observe as you work. After words, meet with them and talk about any questions they have and be sure to explain again the vision behind what you are doing.
Step 2: I do, you help, we talk.
· Let the new person help in the work you are doing. This may require extra planning on your part to figure out how they can fit in. Again, after it’s over, meet with them to answer any questions they have, cheer them on, and gently correct them if they erred in some way.
Step 3: You do, I help, we talk.
· This is where they take the bulk of the work but you help in the process. Again, meet to break it down, encourage, correct if needed, and encourage some more.
Step 4: You do, I watch, we talk.
· The robin leaves the nest. You watch as this person does the entire role. Again after it’s over, encourage, debrief, and encourage some more.
Step 5: You do, someone else watches, you two talk.
· In other words, the cycle begins again. Once this person you have trained is ready to go, encourage them from day one to find a replacement to train in this position. REMEMBER: WE NEVER HAVE “ENOUGH” WORKERS ANYWHERE!
Congratulations! You’ve successfully recruited another leader! This is a big deal. Now that you’ve recruited them, the fun is just beginning. Now you get to train them in what it means to do what you do. Here are 5 steps to get you there (Taken from Community Christian Church in Chicago, IL):
Step 1: I do, you watch, we talk.
· Let the new person observe as you work. After words, meet with them and talk about any questions they have and be sure to explain again the vision behind what you are doing.
Step 2: I do, you help, we talk.
· Let the new person help in the work you are doing. This may require extra planning on your part to figure out how they can fit in. Again, after it’s over, meet with them to answer any questions they have, cheer them on, and gently correct them if they erred in some way.
Step 3: You do, I help, we talk.
· This is where they take the bulk of the work but you help in the process. Again, meet to break it down, encourage, correct if needed, and encourage some more.
Step 4: You do, I watch, we talk.
· The robin leaves the nest. You watch as this person does the entire role. Again after it’s over, encourage, debrief, and encourage some more.
Step 5: You do, someone else watches, you two talk.
· In other words, the cycle begins again. Once this person you have trained is ready to go, encourage them from day one to find a replacement to train in this position. REMEMBER: WE NEVER HAVE “ENOUGH” WORKERS ANYWHERE!
A little different format today...
Acts 27:3 - "The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindnes to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs."
Today I was thinking that I wanted to write a post to really brag about the Celebrate Recovery program and its leaders. This verse sets me up perfectly for that so I'm going to go with that gut instinct.
Celebrate Recovery kicks off tomorrow night (5:30 at the BridgeWay Ministry Center in Morton, IL) and there is a buzz around this place about it today. I'm constantly amazed (though not surprised) at the way God brings the people He wants together to accomplish the tasks that He sets before us. The leadership team for Celebrate Recovery are people that are passionate, excited, and experiencing recovery of their own from a variety of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. It's great to see people take the situations that used to burden their life now use those same situations for God's glory.
If you're hesitant about coming to Celebrate Recovery, let me encourage you to come. Celebrate Recovery is the modern day equivalent of Acts 27:3 - friends gathering together to help friends through their needs by pointing them to Jesus, our true healer.
I know we have one day left on this 28 days of prayer journey as a church, but I just want to say thank you to all who participated. I know that God really challenged me during this time as well as many of you. At the same time God answered so many prayer needs that we raised. Though we never were in the same room reading or praying together, we truly were experiencing God together as a church on a daily basis. That's a lot to celebrate!
Acts 27:3 - "The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindnes to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs."
Today I was thinking that I wanted to write a post to really brag about the Celebrate Recovery program and its leaders. This verse sets me up perfectly for that so I'm going to go with that gut instinct.
Celebrate Recovery kicks off tomorrow night (5:30 at the BridgeWay Ministry Center in Morton, IL) and there is a buzz around this place about it today. I'm constantly amazed (though not surprised) at the way God brings the people He wants together to accomplish the tasks that He sets before us. The leadership team for Celebrate Recovery are people that are passionate, excited, and experiencing recovery of their own from a variety of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. It's great to see people take the situations that used to burden their life now use those same situations for God's glory.
If you're hesitant about coming to Celebrate Recovery, let me encourage you to come. Celebrate Recovery is the modern day equivalent of Acts 27:3 - friends gathering together to help friends through their needs by pointing them to Jesus, our true healer.
I know we have one day left on this 28 days of prayer journey as a church, but I just want to say thank you to all who participated. I know that God really challenged me during this time as well as many of you. At the same time God answered so many prayer needs that we raised. Though we never were in the same room reading or praying together, we truly were experiencing God together as a church on a daily basis. That's a lot to celebrate!
Scripture - Acts 25:24b - "The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer."
Observation - This statement comes within the context of Agrippa the King laying out the case against Paul. The situation is that Paul really has done nothing wrong, but the King doesn't let Paul go because of the political pressure he's under. The King is not willing to lead. Leadership is rarely about gathering consensus as much as it is about determining the correct course and influencing others in that direction. The King was more worried about what others thought rather than doing the right thing.
Application - Am I being more influenced by the people around me or by what I know is right? Who has more say in my decision making: others or Jesus? As I lead am I doing what God is asking me to do or being persuaded by people or issues more than God?
Prayer - Dear Lord, leading is hard. It's tough to cut through the clutter of life, through issues we face, and even through the voices of well meaning people to hear you sometimes. I pray for all of those today who are facing tough choices, that you would strengthen them and guide them more than anything or anyone else. I pray that you would help me today too, to trust you above all others, that you would guide my steps personally and as a leader. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Observation - This statement comes within the context of Agrippa the King laying out the case against Paul. The situation is that Paul really has done nothing wrong, but the King doesn't let Paul go because of the political pressure he's under. The King is not willing to lead. Leadership is rarely about gathering consensus as much as it is about determining the correct course and influencing others in that direction. The King was more worried about what others thought rather than doing the right thing.
Application - Am I being more influenced by the people around me or by what I know is right? Who has more say in my decision making: others or Jesus? As I lead am I doing what God is asking me to do or being persuaded by people or issues more than God?
Prayer - Dear Lord, leading is hard. It's tough to cut through the clutter of life, through issues we face, and even through the voices of well meaning people to hear you sometimes. I pray for all of those today who are facing tough choices, that you would strengthen them and guide them more than anything or anyone else. I pray that you would help me today too, to trust you above all others, that you would guide my steps personally and as a leader. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture - Acts 20:24 - "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Observation - Boo-yah! That's all there is to say after Paul lays down this gem. It's amazing to think that Paul is pretty convinced in his mind that going to Jerusalem will result in his own death, but he feels he must go anyway. Whenever you bust out the "I consider my life worth nothing to me" line, you're venturing into some heavy Holy Spirit territory.
Application - What's holding us back from having that type of faith to Jesus and his work?
Prayer - Dear Lord, I thank you for the example Paul is to all followers of Jesus. I thank you that he surrendered completely to you and gave his life for the Gospel. Lord, help me to surrender everything in my life to you. Help me to hold nothing back that I might 'finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.' In Jesus' name, Amen.
Observation - Boo-yah! That's all there is to say after Paul lays down this gem. It's amazing to think that Paul is pretty convinced in his mind that going to Jerusalem will result in his own death, but he feels he must go anyway. Whenever you bust out the "I consider my life worth nothing to me" line, you're venturing into some heavy Holy Spirit territory.
Application - What's holding us back from having that type of faith to Jesus and his work?
Prayer - Dear Lord, I thank you for the example Paul is to all followers of Jesus. I thank you that he surrendered completely to you and gave his life for the Gospel. Lord, help me to surrender everything in my life to you. Help me to hold nothing back that I might 'finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.' In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture - Acts 19:27 - "There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throught the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."
Observation - This statement is made by a guy name Demetrius. What's interesting about this is that he really made this statement out of fear of losing money, not fear that the god he worshiped would be desecrated. The classic choice of worshiping God or money, and Demetrius chose money.
Application - Following Jesus while always the best decision we can make, can sometimes be very difficult. When you are blessed with wealth, God may ask you to use your wealth in ways that you hadn't planned. You may need to change jobs for less money to serve God in ways that you may be called to. There's no telling what will happen, but it's always best to go with God's direction, rather than your own wealth and desires.
Prayer - Dear Lord, help us today to surrender everything we have to you - including our wealthy. Help us God to not be people obsessed with money or riches, but to be obsessed with God's direction and leading in our lives, that we may be blessings to others and to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Observation - This statement is made by a guy name Demetrius. What's interesting about this is that he really made this statement out of fear of losing money, not fear that the god he worshiped would be desecrated. The classic choice of worshiping God or money, and Demetrius chose money.
Application - Following Jesus while always the best decision we can make, can sometimes be very difficult. When you are blessed with wealth, God may ask you to use your wealth in ways that you hadn't planned. You may need to change jobs for less money to serve God in ways that you may be called to. There's no telling what will happen, but it's always best to go with God's direction, rather than your own wealth and desires.
Prayer - Dear Lord, help us today to surrender everything we have to you - including our wealthy. Help us God to not be people obsessed with money or riches, but to be obsessed with God's direction and leading in our lives, that we may be blessings to others and to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture - Acts 18:9-10 - One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
Observation - Everyone needs encouragment from time to time, even when we are doing something we are called by God to do. Paul knew that God had called him to proclaim the message of Jesus, but was hesitant and even afraid of what might happen if he continued to. But God's timing is perfect; just when Paul was considering giving up, God gave him the encouragement he needed.
Application - In our world, we're not all called to be preachers like Paul, but God does all have specific callings for each life. Sometimes we become afraid, stressed out, tired, or even hopeless and don't want to continue. That's when we need to remember these words from God that if He has called us, we won't fail if we stay faithful to Him.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for calling imperfect people to do great things in the name of Jesus. Help those who are struggling today God with that calling. Help them to stay true to the path you have put them on and give them the endurance, encouragement, and strength they need right now to make it through. Thank you, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Observation - Everyone needs encouragment from time to time, even when we are doing something we are called by God to do. Paul knew that God had called him to proclaim the message of Jesus, but was hesitant and even afraid of what might happen if he continued to. But God's timing is perfect; just when Paul was considering giving up, God gave him the encouragement he needed.
Application - In our world, we're not all called to be preachers like Paul, but God does all have specific callings for each life. Sometimes we become afraid, stressed out, tired, or even hopeless and don't want to continue. That's when we need to remember these words from God that if He has called us, we won't fail if we stay faithful to Him.
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank you for calling imperfect people to do great things in the name of Jesus. Help those who are struggling today God with that calling. Help them to stay true to the path you have put them on and give them the endurance, encouragement, and strength they need right now to make it through. Thank you, in Jesus' name, Amen.
