Remember: Since vision leaks, we need to be reminded about...
Words - what was said a long time ago and what the current words/values are.
Doubt will come--from within and without.
Faith looks at the past and future. What has been done and what is to come.
Patience - the timing and score belong to God.
Vision - People need Jesus. And God the creator wants a relationship with them!!!
Peter stirs up his followers concerning the BIG PICTURE. (2 Peter 3:1-9)
A Couple Thoughts...
1. What is more important to you...being recognized by people or helping people recognize Jesus?
2. Are you using people to build the church or are you using the church to build people?
Monday, January 19, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Dig!
What do you do when you face an obstacle to your vision or dream? What do you do when you "can't" or "haven't"?
In Mark 2:3-4 we find four men burdened to see their paralyzed friend experience the providing hand of Jesus. They bring him to where Jesus is but they can't actually GET TO Jesus. They can SEE Jesus, but they're not close enough to experience His providing hand.
Verse 4 in the NLT version of the Bible says, When they "COULDN'T"... they "DUG". Its time to DIG! It's time to DIG in some odd and unfamiliar places! Don't give up on your dream or vision simply because you're disappointed, tired, or facing an obstacle. DIG!
The 21 day #BreakthroughFast is a way of DIGGING. Change your diet. Remove some pleasant types of food or fast a specific meal each day to DIG to where Jesus is so that you can experience His miraculous hand of provision that will blow the minds of those watching your life.
?What obstacle are you facing?
?How are you "digging" during the 21 day Breakthrough Fast?
In Mark 2:3-4 we find four men burdened to see their paralyzed friend experience the providing hand of Jesus. They bring him to where Jesus is but they can't actually GET TO Jesus. They can SEE Jesus, but they're not close enough to experience His providing hand.
Verse 4 in the NLT version of the Bible says, When they "COULDN'T"... they "DUG". Its time to DIG! It's time to DIG in some odd and unfamiliar places! Don't give up on your dream or vision simply because you're disappointed, tired, or facing an obstacle. DIG!
The 21 day #BreakthroughFast is a way of DIGGING. Change your diet. Remove some pleasant types of food or fast a specific meal each day to DIG to where Jesus is so that you can experience His miraculous hand of provision that will blow the minds of those watching your life.
?What obstacle are you facing?
?How are you "digging" during the 21 day Breakthrough Fast?
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
vision leaks - part 5 (patience)
If you want to experience growth and success in life, you have to keep moving forward with a great attitude and heart even when you don't see the results you desire or expect. This is the essence of patience. And patience is fundamental to spiritual maturity and leadership.
The apostle Peter motivated his followers by pointing them to God's promises and then reminding them to be patient. (2 Peter 3:8) says, "A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day."
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Don't be a time keeper!
Those who watch the clock with an expectation of when they should get what they think they should get will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.
2. Don't be a score keeper!
Those who try to keep score by comparing what others have and how long it took them to get what they have will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.
What are your thoughts?
?Are you a time keeper?
?Are you a score keeper?
The apostle Peter motivated his followers by pointing them to God's promises and then reminding them to be patient. (2 Peter 3:8) says, "A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day."
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Don't be a time keeper!
Those who watch the clock with an expectation of when they should get what they think they should get will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.
2. Don't be a score keeper!
Those who try to keep score by comparing what others have and how long it took them to get what they have will deteriorate their patience which is their only ability to ultimately receive from God.
What are your thoughts?
?Are you a time keeper?
?Are you a score keeper?
Monday, December 15, 2014
VISION LEAKS - PART 4 (FAITH)
Its working even when it doesn't seem like its working! You can't quit simply because you're not seeing the results you want to see.
The Apostle Peter reminded his team how important it is to stay in faith. In (2 Peter 3:5 NLT) he reveals the plight of the doubter.
v5 "They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water."
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt is Deliberate!
You have to work really hard to NOT see God at work. So, be deliberate to remind yourself that it IS working. God is working even when it doesn't seem like He's working.
2. Faith looks at the Past!
Peter told his team to remember all that God had done before and that God is still in the miracle working business. Don't forget! Remember, if He did it before He can do it again. Remembering the hand of God in your past can be fuel to see His hand in your present and future.
?Where have you been deliberately doubting?
?What situation do you need to be reminded of today where God came through in a big way?
The Apostle Peter reminded his team how important it is to stay in faith. In (2 Peter 3:5 NLT) he reveals the plight of the doubter.
v5 "They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water."
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt is Deliberate!
You have to work really hard to NOT see God at work. So, be deliberate to remind yourself that it IS working. God is working even when it doesn't seem like He's working.
2. Faith looks at the Past!
Peter told his team to remember all that God had done before and that God is still in the miracle working business. Don't forget! Remember, if He did it before He can do it again. Remembering the hand of God in your past can be fuel to see His hand in your present and future.
?Where have you been deliberately doubting?
?What situation do you need to be reminded of today where God came through in a big way?
Monday, December 8, 2014
VISION LEAKS - PART 3 (DOUBT)
Doubt is your greatest enemy--and it will always by persistently present.
The Apostle Peter was reminding his team in 2 Peter 1:3 that "scoffers" will come. A scoffer is a derider, false teacher or mocker. They/it creates and fuels doubt.
The scoffer or doubter will say things like: "It's not working!" "Where is all the money, staff/leaders, clients or people? Shouldn't there be more by now? Shouldn't we be further along?"
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt isn't present because we're failing. It's present because we're doing something extraordinary!
We need to be personally reminded when we're doubting that what we're experiencing is normal and expected. And, if you're a leader, you need to be spewing that truth into your team.
2. You need to remain strong and stable in the midst of doubt.
I'm reminding you today that doubt and doubters will come. I'm reminding you so that it won't knock you off course and so that you will see doubt for what it is; A LIE!
?What are the consistent doubts that come your direction?
?Do those doubts come through those on your team or closest to you?
If so, you may need to limit the time and influence you give those people.
The Apostle Peter was reminding his team in 2 Peter 1:3 that "scoffers" will come. A scoffer is a derider, false teacher or mocker. They/it creates and fuels doubt.
The scoffer or doubter will say things like: "It's not working!" "Where is all the money, staff/leaders, clients or people? Shouldn't there be more by now? Shouldn't we be further along?"
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Doubt isn't present because we're failing. It's present because we're doing something extraordinary!
We need to be personally reminded when we're doubting that what we're experiencing is normal and expected. And, if you're a leader, you need to be spewing that truth into your team.
2. You need to remain strong and stable in the midst of doubt.
I'm reminding you today that doubt and doubters will come. I'm reminding you so that it won't knock you off course and so that you will see doubt for what it is; A LIE!
?What are the consistent doubts that come your direction?
?Do those doubts come through those on your team or closest to you?
If so, you may need to limit the time and influence you give those people.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
vision leaks - part 2 (reminders)
We ended our last post promising to share 6 keys every leader needs to be reminded of as well as then reminding their teams. Vision leaks and we need a constant flow of the why behind the what. We discovered these keys in 2 Peter 3:1-9 and we'll be sharing a couple of them today.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,"
A Couple Thoughts... (2 of the 6 keys)
1. Words - Peter calls them beloved and then tells them their minds are pure. He first uses his words to encourage and compliment his followers and then reminds them of previous conversations. We need to be reminded of how powerful our words are to those we lead. They need regular doses of positive and uplifting interactions with us. You can never "over encourage". Be sure you're regularly injecting vision, life, and encouragement into your teams. It will take them and you a long way.
2. Commandments - There are things we say in passing conversation and then there are rules, policies, and guidelines. Even though we've taken the time to craft and write out the most important words of our organization, we will still need to have regular times of reminder. We'll need to remind people of not just what is written but why it was written in the first place. These are the vision, mission, values, processes, job descriptions, etc. Don't underestimate the importance of reminding your faithful of the pillars of your organization. They are not just the compass that points the way, but they are the rudder that turns and directs the entire ship.
? If your team was asked, what would they say was the last time you encouraged them?
? How can you creatively remind your team of the most important words of your organization?
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,"
A Couple Thoughts... (2 of the 6 keys)
1. Words - Peter calls them beloved and then tells them their minds are pure. He first uses his words to encourage and compliment his followers and then reminds them of previous conversations. We need to be reminded of how powerful our words are to those we lead. They need regular doses of positive and uplifting interactions with us. You can never "over encourage". Be sure you're regularly injecting vision, life, and encouragement into your teams. It will take them and you a long way.
2. Commandments - There are things we say in passing conversation and then there are rules, policies, and guidelines. Even though we've taken the time to craft and write out the most important words of our organization, we will still need to have regular times of reminder. We'll need to remind people of not just what is written but why it was written in the first place. These are the vision, mission, values, processes, job descriptions, etc. Don't underestimate the importance of reminding your faithful of the pillars of your organization. They are not just the compass that points the way, but they are the rudder that turns and directs the entire ship.
? If your team was asked, what would they say was the last time you encouraged them?
? How can you creatively remind your team of the most important words of your organization?
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Vision Leaks - part 1
Vision leaks because people are leaky! We have this problem where we are enamored with the immediate. That immediate can be pleasure or pain. And, under the weight of the immediate, everything else gets pushed out. The pressure and enormity of the immediate squeezes out clarity for the big picture.
Its amazing how quickly we forget or lose sight of the vision of our organization when we're feeling the pressure of staffing difficulties, financial shortages, and people conflict. But its not just the negative that blurs our ability to stay focused on our vision. Vision leaks under the weight of success, too. We've spent money, added staff, purchased buildings, created ministries or positions, and overlooked people issues because everything was going "too good". Those decisions in the good times, that weren't filtered through clear vision, have or will come back to haunt us.
Its obvious that a God given vision requires constant clear focus. So what do we do to make sure vision, mission, and values remain in the forefront no matter what season we're in?
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Make sure your vision, mission, and values are clear!
Not just clear in your mind but clear on paper. Get these guys fleshed out and in your organization's language. Its okay to be inspired by another org's statements, but be sure you wrestle with the language and the feel of the statements to ensure they represent who God has called you to be. And then get those puppies written down on everything and anywhere you can.
2. Remind everyone constantly!
One of the most important jobs of a leader is to be a reminder. We need to remind our leaders to remind their teams and to teach their teams how to be reminded. I regularly tell our staff that they are to be "tanker trucks" driving around and refueling people with our church's vision.
There are 6 Reminders that will help us stay focused on our vision no matter what season we're in. We'll be sharing these over the next few issues.
So, sign-up for this blog so that we can REMIND YOU when there are A Couple Thoughts ready for ya.
Its amazing how quickly we forget or lose sight of the vision of our organization when we're feeling the pressure of staffing difficulties, financial shortages, and people conflict. But its not just the negative that blurs our ability to stay focused on our vision. Vision leaks under the weight of success, too. We've spent money, added staff, purchased buildings, created ministries or positions, and overlooked people issues because everything was going "too good". Those decisions in the good times, that weren't filtered through clear vision, have or will come back to haunt us.
Its obvious that a God given vision requires constant clear focus. So what do we do to make sure vision, mission, and values remain in the forefront no matter what season we're in?
A Couple Thoughts...
1. Make sure your vision, mission, and values are clear!
Not just clear in your mind but clear on paper. Get these guys fleshed out and in your organization's language. Its okay to be inspired by another org's statements, but be sure you wrestle with the language and the feel of the statements to ensure they represent who God has called you to be. And then get those puppies written down on everything and anywhere you can.
2. Remind everyone constantly!
One of the most important jobs of a leader is to be a reminder. We need to remind our leaders to remind their teams and to teach their teams how to be reminded. I regularly tell our staff that they are to be "tanker trucks" driving around and refueling people with our church's vision.
There are 6 Reminders that will help us stay focused on our vision no matter what season we're in. We'll be sharing these over the next few issues.
So, sign-up for this blog so that we can REMIND YOU when there are A Couple Thoughts ready for ya.
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