Our monitor on our Laptop at home is down so we are going to give the blog a rest until I can get it back and running. I hope everyone is having a great week!
jeff
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Say the right things at the right time
A timely encouraging word can make all the difference.The right word at the right time may make a world of difference in a world that needs good leaders. If you tell the right person what is needed they may just go out and make a major difference. You never know when someone is listening, really truly listening to you and your advice. Make sure you give good, encouraging, godly advice every chance you get so that others can accomplish what God has designed them to do.
Esther 4:13-14 Mordecai sent back this answer, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther was the queen and shared in the wealth and power that came with that position. Mordecai was simply stating that no man or woman no matter how powerful is immune to the mortality of life. Each person is only as safe as God makes them. Mordecai was reminding her that her faith and her security needed to come from God and through God, not in her power or position. Because of this one statement God's people were saved and together Esther and Mordecai lead them out of their despair.
We have to remember you are where you are, in the position you are in for a reason, finding that reason is equally as important as accomplishing your goals.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Esther 4:13-14 Mordecai sent back this answer, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther was the queen and shared in the wealth and power that came with that position. Mordecai was simply stating that no man or woman no matter how powerful is immune to the mortality of life. Each person is only as safe as God makes them. Mordecai was reminding her that her faith and her security needed to come from God and through God, not in her power or position. Because of this one statement God's people were saved and together Esther and Mordecai lead them out of their despair.
We have to remember you are where you are, in the position you are in for a reason, finding that reason is equally as important as accomplishing your goals.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Give others a reputation to uphold
So many people are stressed out, worn out and strung out because of their doubts. It is extremely wearing on one’s emotions to have to live in a constant state of uncertainty. When you are feeling uncertain about something or someone, you tend to worry about the worse case scenario. We all struggle with the tendency to want proof that people and their promises are secure. When Jesus first encountered His disciples, He did not try to dazzle them with intellectual explanations. Instead, our Lord said, "Come and you will see." After spending the day with Jesus, John and his two disciples were so convinced of the greatness of Jesus that Andrew, one of the two disciples, found his brother Simon and said, "We have found the Messiah"
John 1:45 - 48 Philip found Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, ad about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathaniel asked. "Come and see" said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
"How do you know me?" said Nathaniel. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
Stereotypes can kill! If Nathaniel had stuck with his attitude of nothing good coming from Nazareth, then he might not have met Jesus. He would have missed out on an opportunity to meet Jesus himself in person. We have got to avoid stereotypes and judging based on who people are or where they are from. If we do we could miss out on an opportunity to introduce someone to Christ.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
John 1:45 - 48 Philip found Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, ad about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathaniel asked. "Come and see" said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said of him "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
"How do you know me?" said Nathaniel. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
Stereotypes can kill! If Nathaniel had stuck with his attitude of nothing good coming from Nazareth, then he might not have met Jesus. He would have missed out on an opportunity to meet Jesus himself in person. We have got to avoid stereotypes and judging based on who people are or where they are from. If we do we could miss out on an opportunity to introduce someone to Christ.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Compliment people publicly
The brilliant physician and writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and his brother John represent two radically different views on the subject of flattery. Dr. Holmes loved to collect compliments, and when he was older he indulged his pastime by saying to someone who had just praised his work,
“I am a trifle deaf, you know. Do you mind repeating that a little louder?”
John, however, was unassuming and content to be in his older brother’s shadow. He once said that the only compliment he ever received came when he was six. The maid was brushing his hair when she observed to his mother that little John wasn’t all that cross-eyed!
Everyone on the face of the earth likes a compliment. Some people like them because they stroke their egoes, some because they make them feel good. Either way it's important that we compliment people every chance we get, and do it in public. If you can thank someone for a job well done, or compliment their hard work publicly you will bring them far more joy than if you don't.
John 1:29-31 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
In these verses John was complimenting Jesus openly and publicly. Not to stroke his ego but because it came automatic for him. Make compliments come automatically and all the rest will fall into place.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
“I am a trifle deaf, you know. Do you mind repeating that a little louder?”
John, however, was unassuming and content to be in his older brother’s shadow. He once said that the only compliment he ever received came when he was six. The maid was brushing his hair when she observed to his mother that little John wasn’t all that cross-eyed!
Everyone on the face of the earth likes a compliment. Some people like them because they stroke their egoes, some because they make them feel good. Either way it's important that we compliment people every chance we get, and do it in public. If you can thank someone for a job well done, or compliment their hard work publicly you will bring them far more joy than if you don't.
John 1:29-31 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
In these verses John was complimenting Jesus openly and publicly. Not to stroke his ego but because it came automatic for him. Make compliments come automatically and all the rest will fall into place.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Create a memory and visit it often
Okay. So I can be the first to admit that I am not that great at this one. I am the world's worst at taking photos and little items that will help me remember things. I do have a great memory(long term, short term memory is...what was I talking about?) Anyway, we have got to create memories with the people we love and care for.
Joshua 4:1-7 When teh whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Choose 12 men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight. So Joshua called together the 12 men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and siad to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you si to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the umber of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future , when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed teh Jordan, teh waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
In this passage God was teaching them how to create a memorial for the things in life. We need to memorialize more in life. The good and the bad we need to remember those things so we can reflect back and see what a bond we have with the people around us.
When a coach sees one of his players do something wrong on the field why does he get on to him? 99% of the time the player knows what he did wrong, so why does he get on to him? So he will remember it. You don't remember your mistakes as well as you remember your coach getting on to you.
So make memories with the people that are important to you. Make those memories and visit them often.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Joshua 4:1-7 When teh whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, "Choose 12 men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight. So Joshua called together the 12 men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and siad to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you si to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the umber of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future , when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed teh Jordan, teh waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
In this passage God was teaching them how to create a memorial for the things in life. We need to memorialize more in life. The good and the bad we need to remember those things so we can reflect back and see what a bond we have with the people around us.
When a coach sees one of his players do something wrong on the field why does he get on to him? 99% of the time the player knows what he did wrong, so why does he get on to him? So he will remember it. You don't remember your mistakes as well as you remember your coach getting on to you.
So make memories with the people that are important to you. Make those memories and visit them often.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Let people know you need them
We need to let people that we need them and that we trust that they will be there for us. I have experienced this in many different capacities. There are people that you believe in, that support you and while deep down you know they aren't that reliable you have to believe in them and express their importance in your life and ministry.
Also, there are people who will do anything in the world to help out as long as they know it is helping. If I do something for a friend who never comments, never questions or shows any sign of it being profitable, would I keep doing it?
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me, Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Timothy comments that Mark is helpful to his ministry. He wants not only for Mark to know that fact, but for the others to realize and watch his life so they can be helpful.
Galatians 4:13 - 15 As you know, it is because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a rial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or score. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Hesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that if you could have done so, you would ahve torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Do you know anyone that will do anything for you? Maybe even donate you an organ or risk their own life for your safety? If so you better make sure you acknowledge them and let them know how much they mean to you. Paul was good at doing it and always made sure people knew just what they meant to them.
So let people know today how much they mean to you and how much you need them in your life.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Also, there are people who will do anything in the world to help out as long as they know it is helping. If I do something for a friend who never comments, never questions or shows any sign of it being profitable, would I keep doing it?
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me, Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Timothy comments that Mark is helpful to his ministry. He wants not only for Mark to know that fact, but for the others to realize and watch his life so they can be helpful.
Galatians 4:13 - 15 As you know, it is because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a rial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or score. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Hesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that if you could have done so, you would ahve torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Do you know anyone that will do anything for you? Maybe even donate you an organ or risk their own life for your safety? If so you better make sure you acknowledge them and let them know how much they mean to you. Paul was good at doing it and always made sure people knew just what they meant to them.
So let people know today how much they mean to you and how much you need them in your life.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Help people see their potential
In the first chapter of John, Jesus has a conversation with Simon son of John. Jesus tells him that he will be called Cephas, which is actually translated Peter. Jesus had conversation with Peter and allowed him to be transformed in such a way that he could meet his potential.
Peter was not at all the rock solid person Jesus knew he would soon be. In the book of Acts we see that Peter was a dynamic leader and that he eventually reached his potential. That would not have been possible without this one conversation with Jesus. Jesus looked into Peter, saw his potential and brought it out of him by transforming him and his outlook.
When you talk with friends and aqaintances are you seeing their potential? Are you helping them take major steps toward reaching their potential? Are you just letting them find it on their own?
I felt called into the ministry at the age of 18. I was at a youth camp working for Todd Carr at the event. He had known me for the past 7-8 years prior and knew everything there was to know about me. He didn't see the clown, the athlete, the person who on occasion got into mischief(I know, I know it's hard to believe) at school and away from school. He saw potential, he wanted to be the first to help me reach it.
Frank Northcutt was the pastor of my home church at that time, I went and talked with him and immediately we talked about the future and he wanted to help me search for schooling options to reach my potential.
Five months ago I resigned from my position at my former church. I resigned from that position and had for quite some time felt God calling me to be a pastor. So, I prayed about it met with some people and waited for God to direct me. An opening came up and I went and sought out cousel with David Beachamp one of the people I respect the most in the world. I went to him, asked for his direction and he listed and told me all the qualities I had of becoming a pastor and eventually even a decent one.
Not one of those people brought up the past, asked me if I was sure, or gave me anything but support in my decisions. Without them it would not be possible for me to do any of the things I do right now. I'm not a good pastor yet, but between Todd, Frank and David Beauchamp I will always seek to reach my potential by their guidance.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Peter was not at all the rock solid person Jesus knew he would soon be. In the book of Acts we see that Peter was a dynamic leader and that he eventually reached his potential. That would not have been possible without this one conversation with Jesus. Jesus looked into Peter, saw his potential and brought it out of him by transforming him and his outlook.
When you talk with friends and aqaintances are you seeing their potential? Are you helping them take major steps toward reaching their potential? Are you just letting them find it on their own?
I felt called into the ministry at the age of 18. I was at a youth camp working for Todd Carr at the event. He had known me for the past 7-8 years prior and knew everything there was to know about me. He didn't see the clown, the athlete, the person who on occasion got into mischief(I know, I know it's hard to believe) at school and away from school. He saw potential, he wanted to be the first to help me reach it.
Frank Northcutt was the pastor of my home church at that time, I went and talked with him and immediately we talked about the future and he wanted to help me search for schooling options to reach my potential.
Five months ago I resigned from my position at my former church. I resigned from that position and had for quite some time felt God calling me to be a pastor. So, I prayed about it met with some people and waited for God to direct me. An opening came up and I went and sought out cousel with David Beachamp one of the people I respect the most in the world. I went to him, asked for his direction and he listed and told me all the qualities I had of becoming a pastor and eventually even a decent one.
Not one of those people brought up the past, asked me if I was sure, or gave me anything but support in my decisions. Without them it would not be possible for me to do any of the things I do right now. I'm not a good pastor yet, but between Todd, Frank and David Beauchamp I will always seek to reach my potential by their guidance.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Making others feel good about themselves
John Maxwell and Les Parrot compiled a list of ways to make others feel like a million bucks. It is my hope during this month to break down their 25 ways that they came up with one by one.
#1 is starting with yourself.
In 1 Kings 3:5-14 Solomon is faced with the dilemma of letting God know exactly what he wished for. He could ask for great riches, he could ask for his enemies to be wiped out, he could have asked to live forever, instead he asked for wisdom. He asked specifically for the discernment to deal with people on a daily basis. He asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. He asked for the discernment to do his job, he didn't wish for his job to be done for him.
So when you pray and ask God for things how do you approach them? Do you pray for things to happen or do you pray for God to help you have the ability to do the things you are praying for? There is a major difference.
Next, we can't help others feel good about themselves if we aren't taking care of ourselves first. If I get up in the morning and I don't prepare myself for the day, I beat myself up all morning and tear myself down, how then can I expect to build anyone else up?
In order to be a blessing to someone else, or to build up another, you have to take care of yourself first. Solomon wanted to be a great leader, a great king and a great friend but he asked God for the wisdom to deal with all of those areas of life. How are you handling the things you want in life? Are you taking care of yourself so that you can lovingly meet the needs of others?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
p.s. sorry I was gone for a while, we were experiencing some internet problems.
#1 is starting with yourself.
In 1 Kings 3:5-14 Solomon is faced with the dilemma of letting God know exactly what he wished for. He could ask for great riches, he could ask for his enemies to be wiped out, he could have asked to live forever, instead he asked for wisdom. He asked specifically for the discernment to deal with people on a daily basis. He asked for wisdom and God gave it to him. He asked for the discernment to do his job, he didn't wish for his job to be done for him.
So when you pray and ask God for things how do you approach them? Do you pray for things to happen or do you pray for God to help you have the ability to do the things you are praying for? There is a major difference.
Next, we can't help others feel good about themselves if we aren't taking care of ourselves first. If I get up in the morning and I don't prepare myself for the day, I beat myself up all morning and tear myself down, how then can I expect to build anyone else up?
In order to be a blessing to someone else, or to build up another, you have to take care of yourself first. Solomon wanted to be a great leader, a great king and a great friend but he asked God for the wisdom to deal with all of those areas of life. How are you handling the things you want in life? Are you taking care of yourself so that you can lovingly meet the needs of others?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
p.s. sorry I was gone for a while, we were experiencing some internet problems.
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