...and the sin...
Does it happen to you? You’re reading a well know Bible passage…and those very familiar words capture your attention. I believe that is God’s Holy Spirit directing us…leading us…taking us deeper into the Word…applying it to our lives….
The writer of Hebrews penned,
[blockquote author="Hebrews 12:1-2a NASB" link="" target="_blank"]Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith….[/blockquote]
There is that phrase, “…the sin which so easily entangles us….” Is there a sin which comes to mind for you? There is for me. It is the one that easily snags me. Pulls me down. Diverts me from the race. Keeps me from being all God wants me to be. I hate that sin.
We don’t know for certain who wrote the book of Hebrews. It may have been the Apostle Paul. Or Luke. Or several other candidates. Whomever it was very likely had a specific sin in mind. A sin that easily entangled them in their spiritual race.
And the writer says to simply lay aside that sin. Wait a minute. That isn’t so simple. I’ve already admitted that it easily entangles me. That sin. That encumbrance. That stain. Just set it aside?
If Paul was the writer, we know that he was a very disciplined Christ-follower. And he encourages us to pattern our lives after his, even as he tries to follow the example of Christ.
So, is it discipline that allows us to set aside that sin? Discipline alone? That is one of the keys. We must take action, use our will, and set aside that sin. But since that sin easily snags us, we need more than just will power to overcome it. I believe the main element to defeating that sin is in the first part of Hebrews 12:2.
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]…keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….[/blockquote]
Other translations tell us to look unto Jesus, or fix our eyes on Jesus. Not just glancing at Jesus…but giving Him our full attention. Look at Him and keep looking at Him.
That sin…yes THAT sin…will always be there. Satan is persistent and knows our weaknesses. But Jesus will also always be there, and with His presence and power, and our discipline and will, we can set aside THAT sin…the one that easily entangles us…and run the race that is set before us.
Which will it be today? Entangled in THAT sin? Or running the race with endurance…looking to Jesus? That is worthy of our prayer right now.
Prayer + Purpose = Power
Jonah. What a guy. The Lord calls him to go to Nineveh, and he heads in the opposite direction. Little did the ship crew know that letting him onboard their boat was asking for trouble. God sends the storm. The crew begs Jonah to pray to his God. (Their prayers to their gods didn’t get any response.) And finally, at his request, the crew throws Jonah overboard.
You remember what happened then? The storm stopped, and it was so dramatic that the crew offered sacrifices to Jonah’s God, and vowed to follow Him! Amazing.
Yet what transpires next is even more amazing. But first...some questions for you.
What do you think happens when you pray? Do you think your request goes into some little slot that has your name on it, to be gotten to when God gets time? Do you think it gets thrown into a pile of other prayers, and the Lord God responds when he finally gets down to yours? Or do you even think of this at all?
Yes, Jonah was swallowed by a big fish. God had planned for it.
[blockquote author="Jonah 1:17 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.[/blockquote]
Finally, Jonah came to his senses. And while in that big fish, Jonah prayed a beautiful prayer, recognizing the trouble he brought upon himself. He concludes with strong words of affirmation and a pledge to “...fulfill all my vows.”
Now, look at what happens next.
[blockquote author="Jonah 2:10 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.[/blockquote]
Boom. Just like that. Jonah prayed. God acted. Can you imagine the scene in Heaven at that moment? God...ordering a big fish to spit Jonah out on the shore. I mean, what were the angels thinking?
So, what do you think happens when your prayers bring you in line with God’s will for your life? Do you think God sits passively by, yawning, and saying, “Well, it’s about time.” Not at all.
Your Prayers plus God’s Purpose equals His Power.
The key is understanding that the most important thing we can do...the most important prayer we can offer as a Christ-follower...is to agree with God, repent, and get in step with the Lord’s will and calling on our life. And then, look out. God will move Heaven and earth...and maybe even a big fish in the depths of the sea...to fulfill His purpose through you.
What are you waiting for?
Are you an impact person?
[Note: I came across this previous Monday MEMO and thought it was worth repeating.]
Fred Smith was a mentor to some of the top thinkers of our day, including heads of corporations and Christian ministry leaders. My friend Brenda Smith, Fred’s daughter, is keeping his legacy alive by sharing some of Fred’s wisdom on a blog and website,
www.breakfastwithfred.com.
Some of the recent postings there relate to those of us who want to impact our world…especially as Christians in media.
In a post on “Get It Done People,” Fred Smith outlines what high impact people are like…what they do to remain a force for good and for God. Here is some great insight from Fred's list.
High Impact People:
- Link passion and uniqueness - they find their particular area of genius and maximize it by utilizing it effectively.
- Minimize religion and maximize spirituality - Christianity isn't a religion; it is a relationship. Knowing about God isn't faith but growing in trust and obedience is.
- Endure pain to win the gold - Bob Richards, the Olympic vaulter, always asked budding athletes: "What do you with the pain?" Pain isn't optional.
- Understand that discipline isn't punishment - an unruly, chaotic life achieves little. There is always a price to pay for accomplishment. Discipline allows the freedom of productivity. Good habits are there for the times you don't want to work.
- Control their time and appreciate the dramatic moments - Just as I don't let other people spend my money, I don't let them spend my time.
- Focus - scatter-shooting is for amateurs. Big game hunters don't go out carrying shotguns.
- Are Energetic - Know what creates energy and what uses it and manage it well. High impact people are generally high energy, as well. They know how to harness the strength.
- Balance their lives - They stay out of the rat race and avoid obsessions. They integrate all the spokes of their wheel, as my friend Zig Ziglar says. The ride gets bumpy when all the emphasis is on one area.
These are good thought-starters and goals for those who want to make an impact in this world for Christ and the Gospel. Let's follow the example of the Apostle Paul.
[blockquote author="Philippians 3:14 NASB" link="" target="_blank"]... I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.[/blockquote]
Questions for God
John Maxwell says there are two questions a leader should ask of God each morning.
- What is the main event today?
- What do you want me to focus on today?
Henry Blackaby would likely agree with these questions. A recent devotional of his in the Experiencing God Day by Day devotional book gives us this great insight.
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change your circumstances but to prepare you to be involved in God’s activity.[/blockquote]
I might want to clarify Maxwell’s question this way: God, what is Your main event today?
If you were to sit down right now and make a list of the things that are on your agenda, you could probably fill a page. Likely you would have meetings, planning, budgeting, personnel issues, and on and on. And it would all be important, no doubt about it. But would it be the most important? And would you be able to lead your staff, your organization, in the proper way?
Solomon has some advice for us in Proverbs that seems to fit here. You are probably quite familiar with the passage.
[blockquote author="Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.[/blockquote]
A budget meeting? How do you know where to expend the precious funds the Lord supplies? Personnel problems? What do you tell the person on your staff when they are in jeopardy of failing? How do you know which way to take your ministry in the coming year? Two years? Five years?
From Solomon’s wisdom, here would be his bullet point response:
- Trust God.
- Don’t trust your own wisdom.
- Seek Him and His will in everything. Everything.
- God will guide you to the right path.
Simple? No. We are programmed to do just the opposite. If we were to put the bullet points together it would look like this.
- Trust yourself.
- Trust your consultants.
- Set a good career path.
- You’ll probably succeed.
To that kind of thinking, God...through Solomon...says,
...do not depend on your own understanding.
Trust in the Lord.
Wisdom? I need it!
I’m looking at Proverbs in a different light. A new friend of mine is a very successful architect who counts among his clients the world’s largest retailer, Walmart. He has designed buildings for them for over 20 years. Raymond Harris is also a man who seeks to run his business God’s way. A few years back he wrote a book called The Heart of Business: Solomon’s Wisdom for Success in Any Economy. As I read through the book, I quickly saw what great application it has for those in the business world.
What about those in ministry? Whether nonprofit or for profit, could those who lead ministries also apply these principles with the assurance that it will make a difference in their organization and in their lives? My short answer?
YES!
Raymond Harris (who is no relation to me) did an extensive three-year study of Proverbs. He synthesizes some of the promises in the Old Testament book this way.
God promises that he will:
- Bless
- Protect
- Provide
- Thwart
Our responsibilities are to:
- Seek after these things
- Do these things
- Develop these things
- Avoid these things
- Become these things
In other words, says Harris, we should fulfill our responsibilities of seeking, doing, developing, and becoming the things God loves, and avoid the things he condemns. That will keep us on a path of righteousness.
As you might guess, what Solomon gives us in Proverbs is counter to what the world says we need to do in order to be “successful,” whatever that word may mean for you.
Again, Raymond Harris nails it down.
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]In the world’s economy, people are defined by what they have accomplished. In God’s economy, they are defined by who they have become as a result of God’s transformation of their hearts.... God wants us to be fully devoted to His instruction. He wants our heart, not simply our actions.[/blockquote]
Knowing God’s Word and seeking to live by its truth is the key to the blessings God has for you in your ministry work. How can we apply His Truth as a pattern for our lives? We ask God’s Holy Spirit to grant us His wisdom.
[blockquote author="James 1:5-6 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.[/blockquote]
Seek His wisdom today.
An Island of Excellence
This past week I took time to do something different...something I should do more often. I surrounded myself with elements of excellence. It was a wide range of media things, from the boys choir of The King’s College in Cambridge, England, to a CD by Andrea Bocelli, to old TV footage of jazz musician Dave Brubeck (who became a Christian late in his life) and his quartet playing his iconic “Take Five.” A wide variety linked by a common thread...excellence!
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]An Island of Excellence in the Sea of Mediocracy[/blockquote]
Do you ever feel like I do, that we are swimming in a sea of mediocracy? Sadly, much of our Christian media is bogged down in the average. Maybe we feel the press of the schedule, having to crank out program after program. Or, we feel we don’t have the resources to allow our offerings to rise to the level of excellence. By the way, I sometimes fall prey to that same mentality.
That’s why I took a bit of time to enjoy some excellent efforts by these artists and production specialists. I will watch a television drama to see excellent actors take outstanding writing and bring it to life. I’ll listen to a great singer like Andrea Bocelli, listening to not only his excellent vocal production and interpretation, but also to the orchestral arrangements and quality recording techniques.
And whether a recent video of a boys choir or a more than 50 year old black and white video of top jazz musicians, I can appreciate the effort it takes to produce something of excellence.
Why do this? Why spend the time that could be used for something else?
First, because it helps me reestablish a high standard for our service to the Lord Jesus. As Oswald Chambers put it, we give our utmost for His highest. But if I am not careful, my reference point of “excellence” gets lowered, watered down.
Second, scripture implores us to do just what I have done. Listen to Paul’s words to the Philippian believers:
[blockquote author="Philippians 4:8 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable,
and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.[/blockquote]
Finally, excellence is a response of the heart for all that our Lord Jesus has done for us. At church, we recently sang the classic Isaac Watts hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” After taking us through the agony of Christ’s death on the cross, Watts concludes with these powerful and instructive words.
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.[/blockquote]
How can I aim at less than excellent work if I am to represent our excellent Christ to a lost world?
Are you a gatekeeper?
The beauty of a Rembrandt portrait is often found in the subtle shifts in color within a narrow range of tones. This most famous Dutch painter was a master, so it would be an affront to him and his work to slash a brush stroke of red paint across one of his paintings. The eye would be drawn to the out-of-place color and stroke, and a person viewing the painting would then miss the depth of the beauty of the portrait, and miss the message of the artwork that the painter wanted the viewer to understand or receive.
In a similar way, what you program on your station, what you place on your website, what music you play and who you select as teachers for your ministry are all contributing to a portrait of Jesus for the world to see. In the U.S., we have lots of places where a person may get their image of Christ. Sadly, many are not painting a very good likeness, or it is marred by an errant stroke, a wrong color, an out-of-context image.
In many parts of the world, the Christian media outlet is one of the few places where people of all backgrounds can see an image of God’s Son. How accurate is that portrait?
In my years of leadership in Christian media, I had to make some hard decisions about musical artists and Bible teachers on our stations. Some had to be removed from the lineup when their lifestyle did not reflect the Gospel they proclaimed. On a rare occasion a program had to be dropped because the theology espoused was not solid biblical Truth. These were not popular decisions with the staff or the listeners. However, I did not want to taint the image of Christ for the listener, or at the very least distract them from the true picture of the Master.
Are you a good “gatekeeper” for your ministry? Do you critically analyze the message that is going out, and even consider the lifestyle of the messenger? Keep the image pure and true. There is a world looking for Jesus. It is as true today as it was in the Lord’s time on earth.
Just before Jesus was to be crucified, some Greeks were at the festival in Jerusalem. These Greeks sought out the disciples and pleaded with Philip, as they looked for the light.
[blockquote author="John 12:21 (HCSB)" link="" target="_blank"]Sir, we want to see Jesus. [/blockquote]
Don’t tarnish the image of Christ that the world desperately needs to see.
One thing at a time
I was watching a live program online, using my smart phone to check out something on Google, and looking through the paper all at the same time...when it hit me. Actually, it was a feature story in the paper that hit me. More specifically, it was the headline.
The Myth of Multitasking
While I must admit I am a practitioner of multitasking, I am not a fan of it. In my own experience, I have realized that I can only effectively focus on one thing at a time. Anything else, no matter how important or well-intended, is a distraction.
In my Christian radio days, I hosted the morning drive each weekday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. For most of that time, I was also the station’s general manager. I had a rule that I reinforced with my leadership staff.
“When I am in the control room,
I am not the general manager.”
I knew that trying to make a management decision while I was on the air would distract me from my focus on the listeners and what I needed to share with them. And, I also knew that since I could not give full attention to an important decision while I was on the air, I might not make the best decision for the good of the station, staff, or ministry.
Now, it seems, there is support for that understanding. The newspaper writer, Mark Fadden, says that multitasking has a negative effect on our brains. He points to numerous studies that tell us multitasking can affect our mental clarity, lower our IQ (who needs that?) ...maybe even permanently, and makes us less efficient. Yikes!
He gets a bit technical, but here is the gist of it. When you successfully finish a task, a “reward hormone,” dopamine, is released. But over time, constant multitasking releases another hormone that is very negative. It is a stress hormone, cortisol, and it causes us to feel worn down and exhausted. And if that weren’t bad enough, cortisol sometimes blocks our ability to burn fat. Double yikes!!
Seriously, multitasking is not our best use of the time God has given us to serve Him, our families, and others. I’m trying to think of a single time that Jesus multitasked. He was focused. He was single minded. Jesus often pulled away from even his disciples so He wouldn’t be distracted in the most important task He had...talking with His Father.
The Apostle Paul picked up on that, no doubt. His context was a bit different, but the point is still true. Paul talked about not having arrived, or attained it all. Paul talked about his focus.
[blockquote author="Philippians 3:13-14 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]Insert your content here[/blockquote]No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
See that? “I focus on this one thing....”
Multitasking...or monotasking. There may be a time for both. But don’t be fooled into thinking you’re more productive and efficient when you multitask. And don’t neglect the importance of focusing on that single thing to which Christ has called you.
Only one way to lead?
Here’s a thought I shared with you previously about leadership.
Most leadership books today tell you the way to be a successful leader. “Follow this plan, and you will succeed.” The only problem with that is someone else has penned a book that gives an opposite viewpoint on leadership. So, who is right?
In my lifetime, I have heard about many scientific studies relating to coffee and health. One study says coffee is bad for you. Then another study says that one cup a day is actually good for you. And yet another study says, "...drink more coffee and you will be more healthy!" Hmmm.
I’m thinking that there may be more than one way to accomplish God’s will in your leadership role. Our Lord is more creative than just following one path to success (whatever that may mean). Jesus healed blind people, but He didn’t always do it the same way.
One time, Jesus just spoke a word. Another time he touched the man’s eyes. In John 9 he spit on the ground, made mud, and placed that on the man’s eyes. When he washed it off, the blind man could see.
Today, I suspect someone would write a book on how to heal blind men and begin selling that book along with a container of that special mud. “Here’s how you do it!”
It's true, we can learn some valuable techniques that will help us manage and lead others. And we should be willing to study and apply what we learn. But don’t think there is only one way to manage. Don’t just adopt the latest leadership style or practice without asking God to guide you.
You see, if you are successful following someone’s human plan, people will attribute that success to you or to a book or a system.
But if you seek God’s wisdom and follow His direction in leadership, God will get the glory.
After all, isn’t that what we want in ministry?
Is anyone back there following?
Leadership has many challenges. First, you need to have people follow you, otherwise...well, you get the point.
Erion Prendi, my friend and a media and evangelical leader in Albania, made some great points about leadership the other day. I suspect we have all had to deal with this in our leadership roles.
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]One important truth about leadership is that it is isolating. Because of your position, a natural division is created between you and those around you who often see you as a superhuman. The more these occurrences take place, the more isolated you feel. The solution:
Maintain close relationships! [/blockquote]
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"] Deepen the friendships you have! Increase your circle of true friends! Surround yourself with people who motivate and build you up... and equally pour into the life of those who see you as one who builds them up. Don't wait for things to get better, for the new house with more space you dream of, for better furniture so your living room looks nicer, etc. etc. Start now and start with your family and the friends you have![/blockquote]
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Tomorrow may be too late![/blockquote]
I think of the Apostle Paul, who must have felt that loneliness of leadership. Yet as Paul closed out most of his letters, he made sure he greeted his friends in Ephesus, Philippi, and other towns where he served. And he often talked of those who surrounded him, even while he was in prison.
And listen to this passage from the Apostle John’s letter:
[blockquote author="3 John:1-4 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. [/blockquote]
Do you have friends you can get with and share some of the deep things of life? Are there those with whom you can just sit and laugh? These folks are valuable. And it is a part of your spiritual and leadership health to cultivate these kinds of friends and relationships that keep you grounded and fresh...so you can lead!