Are Leaders Born or Made or Both?

I'm sitting in church a few weeks ago and part of the message struck a chord with me.

"Consider the possibility that we are always leading."

It also resonated with some other things that I had been studying,
"By Now You Ought To Be Teachers" by David Wilkerson,
and even a conversation that ensued in the following week.

So here I am and all these things are connecting, and there is no doubt that the Lord is speaking to me through all of these things, (I guess I had better take notice!).

This direction towards teaching and leading others in the faith is strong yet also demands discernment. I must be cautious and vigilant, like a watchman on the wall. Because others look at my actions and listen to my words whether I notice it or not, someone is always watching/listening.

Now on the subject of leading, being a leader of men/women with in community demands sacrifice, to die to ones selfish desires and to put others before one's self.

"Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength
and not just please ourselves.
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good,
to his edification."
Romans 15:1-2 (NASB)

"To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak;
I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it."
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NASB)

We as Christians are teachers, we are leaders. To lead others to and teach them of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are admonished to this as Christians. It may not be in the foolish capacity of preaching,

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."

1 Corinthians 1:21

Are we born to be leaders, are we made into leaders, which is it?
Both. "How's that?" you may ask. Well being born into the kingdom of God we are made a new creation. Therefore we are born and made to be leaders. Leading people to Christ. We all are setting an example to others.

And I say this as much to my own heart, as I am yours; What kind of example are you setting?

Our actions are the outward expressions of our inward aspirations. What we think we often times will eventually do. It all starts with the mind. The first step in being a leader is to be born-again in the spirit, (regenerated), you begin to do the things that are good in the sight of the Lord and cease to do those things that are offensive to the Lord. Being this Christian who steps into this role as a leader among your peers never forget it's more about the work of Christ in you than it is about yourself. It's about reconciliation, redemption, transformed lives. This process of changing the mind's thought patterns and outward actions is all apart of growing into leadership. To grow as a leader, our relationship with Christ must grow first. Through prayer and study of God's word, desiring to hear from the Lord, communication and even more communion with Christ, listening to the Holy Spirit which indwells us.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak,
not taught by human wisdom, but those taught by the Spirit,
combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words."
1 Corinthians 2:12-13

We can't take anyone further than we ourselves have gone. Never forget that just as much as we may aspire to be a leader, we still are followers of Christ. The key characteristic of a Christian is humility. Humble leadership. Not weak leadership. Humble in spirit but firm in faith and this is example we have been shown by Christ who is our foundation. We build our lives around Him. He must be the center. His glory our goal.

So again are you a leader?
Yes, you are, but in which direction are you leading, towards Christ or away from Him?

Purpose in the Christian Life

What will it take for you to realize something new?
Or is it remembering something you have lost focus of?

Well for me it is coming to the realization of what my life's purpose is. I hear about my friends finding purpose in their lives. And this is good, don't get me wrong we all need purpose, something that pushes us forward, something that drives us.

Now I want you to take a minute to think about that.

What is your purpose?

That is a tough thing to think about, I know.
Now this may not be the first thing in your mind but I'm sure you're wondering,
What is my purpose for that matter?
Why am I asking you that?
And what dose that have to do with the weather?
Well for starters we all should, and need to, take time out to check ourselves, a self-evaluation.
“What drives me?”, “What makes me do what I do?”, or “Why do I do the things I do?”
These are all examples of questions that lead to self-examination.

What’s missing?

In the “Christian” life, we say we do things because of Jesus Christ. And if we call ourselves “Christians” we know that we are “under the gun” or in the sights of others. They focus on us, waiting for us to slip up so they can pass judgment or scoff at us. Or even worse we are only motivated by the actions themselves and there is a selfish motivation to the actions. Well my challenge to you is not to be “purpose driven” as a popular book may tell you, but rather as Christians be “Christ driven.” If Christ is not your purpose, what is? Job, family, friends, keeping up with the latest trends. We all fall into this to varying degrees, but we all must come back to the reasons and purpose of our actions.
So what’s your purpose?

Have you lost focus? Is your goal the same as when you started?

"So we make it our goal to please him,
whether we are at home in the body or away from it."
-2 Corinthians 5:9

Now here is where I really get excited because, as Christians, we are granted freedom in our faith in Christ.
We are Bondservants of Christ. He has set us free from being a slave to sin.
We must obey Christ because we are free!
It is out of love that we obey, that we follow His commands.

[ Pressing on Toward the Goal ] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
-Philippians 3:12

He is our Master, our Lord. And in His love and grace our obedience can take many shapes and forms. Let me use this illustration…God’s will is like an umbrella, yes there are things that we can do that are outside of the umbrella but there are so many things that are enveloped in His love and obedience. In other words, we all have a general calling; to spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but we all have an individual calling in order to minister to a specific person or people group and both are under the umbrella–some work with kids; others with adult discipleship; still some help the needy, elderly and poor; while others work with subcultures and students.

So, are we living to our full potential. That is to say, "Are we following Christ to the full?"

My good friend Ryan gave a sermon on living a “life poured out.” Are you pouring out your abilities and talents to serve and obey God?

What has your faith cost you in life?

Salvation isn’t a free pass to eternal life or flu shot to get to heaven. We are called to live a certain way. Live a life of repentance, a constant turning from sin, when temptation comes we turn away. Not that we won’t sin, it does happen but when it does happen we must repent. Our faith must bear fruit. There is a popular saying, “It is better to give, than to receive.” Are you giving others the same chance to receive redemption by spreading the truth of Christ? Are you giving back to God? Even though nothing we can do will compare to the great work that God has done in His Son Jesus Christ. But out of our love for Him our actions are directed.

So as you go out wherever it is that you go ask yourselves…

Will this bring glory and or honor to God in my taking part?
Or how can I take part in this and bring glory to His name?
What benefit does this have in my Christian walk?
Does this focus on Christ?
Can I do this without endangering my influence on others?
Am I being an example of Christ by doing this?

Just as the weather changed, things can change our mind, our outlook, our life.
Do your actions change other people’s perceptions of what it means to follow Christ?
Is that in a good way or a bad way?

I lost my job and just when I thought I had a temporary position lined up to help with some bills it falls through, yet still I’m staying strong in faith that God will provide. But I am realizing that things aren’t always as they seem. Life is set in seasons. For some a season may last longer than for another. I knew I was working at my last job for a reason, to minister to those I worked with and I am praying for them still. Now that season has ended and a new one is beginning. I thought I had found a short-term job sadly that door was closed, maybe for my benefit so I move on once again. I am realizing as my parents are older I am meeting their needs by working around the house that God is using me here, to grow and help at home, that I am needed here now. It is humbling and I am grateful. Yet still Christ remains my purpose for life, my reason for living and I am not ashamed.

So again I’ll ask you…
What’s your purpose?
Is it Christ? And is that enough?

For me it is more than enough. Christ is everything!

I hope that God reveals Himself to you this week, that you see Him in all things.
Soli Deo Gloria!

Grace & Peace
-ted

"Oooh Shiny!"

Just like when you were a kid and saw something that gleamed and sparkled…
when we hear or see something too many times, it loses it’s luster and becomes common place. It's not as attractive as it used to be. It has been cheapened. We don't esteem it at such a high value as we once did. Such a thing has happened in this day and age to “grace” (the grace of God.) I pray that the true meaning of the story of God’s grace, the Gospel, retains it’s edge. That when the Spirit of God speaks to each one of us, we listen, we obey, we love. For the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ truly was and still is the most beautiful, most tragic, one and only example of unconditional love, grace and mercy for the salvation of all who believe. And for that reason we need not add or take away from it but tell it as it is.

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” ~Hebrews 4:12 (Amplified Bible)

Have we tarnished the name of Christianity?
Are we staying true to the word of God,are we living like the kingdom in the here and now?
How are we preparing for the return of the King?

Yes, we need to be feeding and clothing the poor and needy, but that’s not all of it.
Showing others mercy, kindness, love. Remaining in the hope of the return of our Lord. For His kingdom is not of this world. But while we're here, we need to be obedient to our Lord’s commands, not for necessity’s sake, for if we indeed love Him the evidence of our love(and faith) will be obedience.

“If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” 
~John 14:15 (ESV)

“only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Cost of Discipleship

So what happens if we say we love Christ but do not obey? What happens if we say we believe and do not obey with the love that must accompany obedience? We are only giving lip service to Jesus. It truly is a narrow way after the narrow gate(Matt. 7:13-23).

What should the basis or intent of our actions be?
To do all things for the glory of God in love.

“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” ~I Corinthians 13:3 (NASB)

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
~John Wesley

This quote by John Wesley puts things in perspective that being a Christian is not to be taken lightly, we have a responsibility. We must do everything humanly possible as if it all depended on our actions but have the faith that it all depends on God. It is ultimately for His glory and purpose.

Are you glorifying God's name, obeying His commands, fulfilling His will out of love for Him?

Here's a question I'm sure has crossed someone's mind… How can we love God if we don’t love our brother/neighbor?
You can't. You have to love them or you don't love God. But if we don't love God and His love is not in us it is impossible for us to love our neighbor properly.

“We love Him because He first loved us.” ~I John 4:18

Some take a position that we must love our brother before we can love God and reasonably so. But what the apostle John is telling us in 1 John chapter 4, is that we can only love others because we love God, and God’s love is filling us and overflowing onto those around us. Our loving our brother/neighbor is evidence that we love God and that His Spirit is in us.

To sum it up:
Can we really say we’re loving one another?
This is not passing judgment, it is a challenge. A checking of the compass to make sure our bearing is straight. We must stay the course, with encouragement, reproof, and most importantly love.

Glory be to God in the highest.
May we never lose sight of our first love, Jesus Christ.

Grace & Peace

Becoming who you are part 2: what to do when things fall apart

Well Let’s see, as quite a few of you know I was laid off at work just before the holiday. Bummer right?! Oh well. I see it as all apart of God’s plan. Do I know what’s next? No. Do I need to? No. I need just enough to take the next step. Talk about faith!

It hasn’t been easy. Where am I going to get money for itunes?!!! Yeah right what about for gas, phone bill, car insurance, food…etc. Yikes!

I’m still a little depressed about it. And I’ve fallen back into a few things over the holidays that I’ve struggled with in the past, we’ll just say I partied a little too hard on New Year’s eve, acted a fool, you get the idea. Now that’s what I meant by that we all need to be constantly reminded of God’s grace and how that is not who I am in Christ. Romans chapters 6-8, amazing! God is so awesome!

Not to cheapen grace but that we’re striving toward the goal, we’re running the race, we’re going to fall, but we have to get up and keep going. The best way I’ve heard it put is it’s not about the destination but the journey that got us there. A little too cliché, whatever. Grace is there because we’re still stuck in our flesh and we will mess up sooner or later. It’s inevitable. It’s how we handle the temptation when it comes that is key.

As of late I’ve been failing. Now that it has been realized, I’m getting up and keeping at the race, keeping at life, the “Christian” life. Trying my best to follow Christ but still something’s wrong. I can be a little analytical at times but something is wrong, it’s like I’m holding back. Not giving it all up to God, I’m still trying to do things my way or thinking I can do it alone but I can’t. I can’t go on like that. I’m only setting myself up for another failure. It has to be all given to Christ. I cannot hold anything back. If I don’t than I am not wholly submitting myself to Christ, and if He cannot have all of me how can he have any of me. The “Christian” is to be totally consumed by Christ, so when others see us they see Christ not us. We must die to the desires of the flesh, our selfish ways. How can we serve two masters?* (*See Matthew Ch. 6)

I am weak, but in my weakness I am strong. How is that possible? By Christ who lives within me. He is my strength*. That is the only way I can get up is through Christ giving me the strength to carry on. (*ref. Philippians 4:13)

So next time I’ll say “this didn’t work out last time, or the time before that…” I have to give it to Christ at that moment. Many people have died for Christ over the centuries and to some that may seem difficult but really it’s not, it is a far more difficult thing to live for Christ, day in…day out. Constantly watched by our peers, even judged by them. So then the weight of it lays even heavier or does it? Does it matter what others think? No! It should, in our feeble human minds, and does only matter to God. We are accountable to Him. Not that we aren’t supposed to be examples or ambassadors of Christ. But it is all for His glory. All to Jesus. He is my everything, my all in all.

I really liked my job, it didn’t pay a whole lot but I was able to influence others and make a positive impact for Christ there. I didn’t mind going in early in the morning and helping out wherever they asked me to. It was the first job I truly enjoyed. The people there were nice not that we didn’t have our differences at times but I am so glad to have worked there sharing the love of Christ with others. One thing that is such an answer to prayer and I see God doing a wondrous work is that one of my former co-workers showed interest in learning more about God’s word and started to go to Baltimore School of the bible with me. The second semester just started and I am so glad to be used of God in his life and I see him sharing God’s word with his wife and other family members.

So how does one get over the stupid stuff from the past that is dredged up again?
Repent and Believe. Turn from sin and live by Faith.
What good is it for me to dwell in shame over mistakes?
It would be better to not make them in the first place, but because I did I have to learn and move on.
Prayer helps immensely! So does reading the Bible.

Check these verses:

"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.” Acts 8:22

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14

Till next time…

Grace & Peace

"Become Who You Are"

For those of you that know me, you know I have a ton of music on my ipod.
I love music, well most types of music. And it's all up for opinion.
Become Who You Are
This is a great sophomore effort by the group Mainstay. I've always liked the lyrics to the title track of the album,

"I keep on chasing the wrong things
And coming up empty
This isn't who I'm supposed to be
I keep on running the hard way
From every mistake
And I'm finding each time that you fall
You're just becoming who you are"

Whatever it is that I feel I'm chasing, whatever type of person I'm trying to become that isn't who I am supposed to be. In that case, who am I?

Recently I've been trying to figure out who I am or who I am supposed to be. Then
the other day I met with a good friend and he was telling me about what someone had said to him in a certain situation, "That's not who you are."

Whether we're struggling to become something that seems just out of reach, that's not who we are. Change is tangible but it isn't this mythical ideal that we cling to, it is happening, it has happened and we are different. So when my friend said to me,"that's not who you are" it really started to sink in.
No matter how hard we think we need to become someone else, something other than what we feel we are, we have already become something else. Sometimes we just haven't realized it yet.

I never really looked at it like that, it brings the aspect of being a new creature to the present. Like today, when I went to work and put on my itunes I thought about this song so I put it on, and it all started to make sense even more.

Become who you are.

Who am I?

Who I am is found in Christ.

Christ changes lives, not later on, but right now. Right now you are something different, right now I am something different. The eternal life spoken of in the Bible doesn't begin with you trying to become a "Christian" or living a "Christian" or moral life, it begins with your heart changing being made new, now, not later but right now. This is the confidence in Christ that will challenge us continually. It will alter how we make a decision, remind us that we are different and what we will and will not do. This is the good news, this is encouraging, that Christ alone has changed us in the moment we believe and through our faith our lives are changed.

So no matter what our circumstances be confident in who you are in Christ. We are a new creature. We have been saved from who we were, sinful depraved man, and we have been redeemed. And redemption is a thing to be understood, not once and to be forgotten, but a thing that we must be continually reminded of, "That is not who you are."