Gifted for Leadership: Three Ways to Kill a Small Group

I lead a small group and would much rather be a leader of an active, healthy group than a leader who kills the group.  Good reminders here of how to have an unhealthy group as well as ways to keep small groups a positive experience for all.
I pray that God will be the center of the group He has blessed me to lead.

Gifted for Leadership: Three Ways to Kill a Small Group

Sunday Notes 09/09/12

Topic:  Hitting the Mark on Selflessness - Matthew 5:38-42

Notes:
* Live selflessly when it comes to exacting revenge.  Lay down your right to retaliate.  End the cycle of violence.

* Live selflessly with what you own.  Lay down your right to cling tightly to stuff.  Don't let possessions come between you and another person.

* Live selflessly when it comes to service.  Lay down your right to just do the minimum.  Go the extra mile when asked to do something  (especially when it is something you don't want to do.)

* Live selfessly when it comes to your money.  Give and give generously and cheerfully.  Lay down your right to say 'I earned it and it is all mine.'

*  Lay down your rights.  *  Live selflessly.  *  Lay down yourself for the sake of Christ.  *

Testing

Test post from my iPad. Want to see how this works.

How To Begin

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:  May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.  (Jude 1-2)

So much I love about these two verses.  Jude does three really great things here that I wish I did more.

First, he shares his identity - who he thinks he is.  Who we see ourselves as is important.  It determines how we feel about ourselves and influences our behavior.  Jude places his identity first in Christ.  Who he is in Christ comes before family, job, ethnicity, or any other descriptor you may think of. 

Then, he points out to whom he is writing.  He does this by pointing out their identity in Christ.  And what a wonderful choice of words he uses.  Beloved of God and Kept for Christ!  This is how Jude saw his intended readers.  Makes me wonder if I see others that way.   Makes me wonder if others see me like that.

Finally, Jude shares a blessing.  The Bible is full of blessings.  God blesses his people.  Fathers bless sons.  Teachers bless students.  We don't do that anymore.  I don't know when people stopped blessing one another.  Seems like today we are quick to point out mistakes and things that could be done better.  Which is pretty much the opposite of a blessing.  Wouldn't it be a better world if we lifted one another up with loving Godly blessings each day?

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Stopping The Cycle

Addiction, abuse, broken relationships, isolation – I see people each week who are struggling with these issues and more. I have been amazed at the number of women (and men) I’ve talked with who have experienced some type of sexual abuse in their past. Addiction destroys lives and breaks up families. Many people find themselves isolated and lonely with no real meaningful connections in their lives.

The statistics for the number of people with a story of abuse, addiction, depression are staggering. There are a lot of hurting people out there. There is a saying that “hurting people hurt people” and that’s how the cycle of pain gets passed down from one generation to another.

My personal experience involves a background of abuse. People who should have loved me, who said they loved me, taught me with their words and their actions that I didn’t really matter. I finally reached a point where I just didn’t care anymore. In my pain I made some very bad decisions and other people got hurt. I passed my hurt on to others and continued a cycle.

There is another way. Those who are hurting can CHOOSE to stop the cycle. That is a brave choice and the beginning of a journey that is not easy. It involves change – changing the way we think, letting go of old habits, and opening ourselves up to another person and to God.

HOPE comes from God. God is constant and unchanging. He loved me before I knew Him, He loves me today, and He will never stop loving me. And I’ve learned that there are good people out there who do honestly care.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 says this: “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

There is a relationship between at least two people referred to here. To be encouraged, there must be an encourager. To be a helper, there must be someone in need of help. God’s desire is that we LIVE in relationship with Him and in relationship with other believers. Those of us who have found hope can help others find healing from the past and healthy relationships for the future.

A Tabernacle and A Temple

Today's L3 reading - Exodus 26-27, Acts 14

The book of Exodus contains very detailed instructions for the construction of God's tabernacle.  This was a grand tent that the people would take with them as they traveled towards the promise land.  It was to be a place to bring sacrifices and to meet with God. 

God knew exactly how He wanted this temple to look.  From the design for the ten panels of tapestry to the curtain hooks to the bronze utensils for the altar, no detail was too small or too minor for God to notice.  And God provided skilled craftsmen to build it for Him. 

Have you noticed that there is still a God-designed, God-crafted temple here today?

"You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?" (2 Corinthians 3:16, MSG)

I am a temple of God.  And just a God had a very detailed plan for the tabernacle, He also has a plan for how He wants me to be.  God wants to remake my life from one that is me-centered to one that is God-centered.  No detail is too small for Him - He wants to be a part of ALL my life.

I have the potential to be a beautiful temple.  I just need to get out of His way and allow Him to work in me and thru me.  It's hard work sometimes - there is sin in my life that must be removed.  And too often I get distracted or impatient and start trying to fix things myself.

I'm so glad God is patient with me.  Help me, Lord, to remember that I am a temple and that you are always with me.

We'll obey. (Won't we?)

Reading Exodus 24-25 and Acts 13 tonight. 

Exodus 24:7 - Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it as the people listened.  They said, "Everything God said, we'll do.  Yes, we'll obey."  (Message)

The people referred to here had been brought out of Egypt by God.  They had seen God part the Red Sea so that they could cross on dry land.  God provided them with manna to eat and had brought forth water from a rock so they could drink.  These people had seen and heard God descending to the peak of Mount Sinai.  God had been up close, very real, and personal with them.  Each person had been touched by God.

I look at these Israelites, newly freed from slavery in Egypt, and I hear them declaring to God their intention to obey and follow him.  I think if ever there was a group of people who would be obedient to God, it would surely be this generation, this new nation.  God was taking care them - providing for their needs. 

I've read Exodus before and I know that thier obedience doesn't even last two months.  I want to ask them Why??  How could they turn their backs on God??  And then I realize something.

How many Sundays have I stood in worship to God promising to praise him with all my life only to forget that promise as I drive away from church?  How often have I prayed to God asking Him to light my way only to attempt to make my own way? 

God has been up close, very real and person with me.  He has rescued me from bondage and given me freedom.  Why do I still find myself walking my own way instead of continuing to follow His guidance?  I'm no better than those ancient Israelites. 

Lord, forgive me.  Have patience with me and keep molding me into your image.  Help me to remember my promise of obedience as you lead me to the promised land.  Amen.