Trust and Respect

It’s sad to think that in light of building healthy relationships and Biblical community - at home, church, workplace, small groups...that there may be someone who does not respect or trust you. Maybe the mistrust is justified. Could it possibly be that I acted or said something that made someone wince in thought and heart? Maybe I didn’t say something or looked a certain way or seemed to act cold and am being evaluated, even judged for an innocent oversight?

How do I build trust with someone who is afraid to come forward to say they were hurt by me in some way? How do I build trust and gain respect with someone who has a chip on their heart and they seem to be cold and calloused towards me? What about the person who smiles on the outside, but the fragrance of division and mistrust is an odor I can smell?

So I offered a young Christian, confused, hurt and saddened... the true statement: People in the church can be hypocritical. Like you and I, they are growing slowly into His image. They may say one thing, but struggle to live it out because they have buried hurt and pain in their lives. Yes, there are some insincere people who come to church, BUT...we must choose the way of Jesus love. It’s unfortunate that Christians can’t get along or at least learn to resolve differences and conflict. It’s tough, dirty, smelly and sad - but true. Let’s trust the love and grace of Jesus, the cross of forgiveness and wholeness, the hope of restoring respectful, trustworthy relationships. Let’s not allow our hearts to grow silent, cold and bitter. Let’s seek the heart of Jesus and pray for compassion for others - even when they are indifferent, unfriendly.

Then the life giving Word of God which we prayed over the church and our hearts:

Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

What is FAITH?

Hi Evangelism leaders and worshipers of God,

I would love to gather us all together in one room someday – to look at each of our faces and lives, hug each one of you and tell you I love you. In the mean time - “I love you and am praying for each one of you to grow closer to, stronger in, more into the image of....JESUS!”

Out of everything we could discuss in our personal lives, what’s happening (or not happening well:) in our workplaces, ministries and relationships – I would like to “talk with you” about your faith in Jesus. In fact, better than that, I want God Himself to talk to you about your faith in Jesus...through the writer of Hebrews.

Today’s devotions in the New Testament finds us in Hebrews 11. My strong exhortation to you today....READ, Meditate and Pray through Hebrews 10-12...YES, all at once. We can plan, program and prepare for services, events, work deadlines, family meals and events, ETC. – but would you take time to really meditate on Hebrews 10-12? Are you not hungry to grow closer to Jesus – more in His image – to live for Him, by faith according to His Word?

Watch your faith in Christ be ignited and infused by the Holy Spirit of God – through Hebrews 10-12!

Learning and growing with you...as we “Build Back to the Basics...in Christ-likeness,
Rod

What "speaking the truth in love" really means

Here it is...very well taught in one of my favorite blogs.

http://eutychusnerd.blogspot.com

Thanks Dr. Manning - we re going to miss you!

Team Evangelism...let's speak the Truth, in love!

Rod

Dealing with Cynical Grumblers - Opponents in the Church

A leader approached me who felt ill-treated by another leader. (How sad huh?) Why would a “leader” speak their fleshly mind, cutting down another person? Don’t we all deal with “in the heat of the moment” situations? It’s harder when you not only get cut down with sharp words, but you now are the subject of someone being cynical and grumbling against you.

Well, you can imagine how this person must have felt - beat down, angry, hurt, discouraged, embittered...

As I’ve been studying Philippians, this passage popped in my heart!

Phil. 1

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

In this passage, unfortunately, the opponents are not brothers and sister in Christ. Unfortunate because, we have enough opposition in our dealings and trials in the world around us, that it’s sometimes disheartening to think that a “fellow leader in Christ” would be your opponent!

My encouragement to you if you find that you are dealing with “opponents” in your ministry, church or family:

• Live unto Jesus all the more, letting your conduct be worthy of Jesus!
• Stand firm, striving side by side with those who hurt you. Don’t run, RECONCILE!
• Don’t be frightened by conflict and suffering. It’s uncomfortable and unnerving - but speak truth, with tons of Jesus love. Approach the person and say, “I felt hurt by that comment or action. You may not have meant it but I don’t want to see our relationship divided.”
• Let the grace of Jesus fill your heart with compassion for your accuser. It helps to really meditate on His Word to quiet your mind and heart.

Believe that Jesus will not only lead you through the situation, but strengthen you and those involved to be more like Him!

p.s. - Don't forget the Matthew 18 process when reconciling differences and offenses :)

Humility

Hello Evangelism leaders,

Thank you again for contributing to a tremendous weekend and the Stan Sheriff – and for your hearts ownership to reach non Christians, making disciples of all nations!

A theme characteristic of Christ I wanted to encourage you all in is – Humility.
In talking to Jadon Lavik and a visiting leader from Japan who is involved with Frontlines, I was steeply reminded of Jesus humility...in them, and our servants. From different ends of the world, God used these 2 servants to remind to say “Thank you” for your humility – as they both referred to your humble service.

Thank you for dressing modestly and appropriately...with humility!
Col. 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Living out the Gospel alongside of you,
Rod

R & R ... a satisfying life!

We need a lot of R & R. R&R will make living enjoyable but it starts with us. It starts with a decision - an on going daily decision... to Reverence God and Respect People!

I was thinking about how satisfying it can be to live with a deep love and honor for God. To be in relationship with Jesus knowing that He loves me NO MATTER WHAT!! My response is to love and thank Him, for His unconditional love and grace -then to live with a reverence for Him.

There’s another rewarding part of life and that is to live with respect for people - all kinds, from all walks of life, no matter what they look, act, talk or are like! Respect will start with me and a decision to love and respect with “no strings attached!” Living without expectations - as if I am “dead to myself and alive to God” is the way to live a very satisfying life.

Reverence God & Respect People. Today - this week - I encourage US ALL, to get some R & R!

Could it be that the Lord would say to you ...surrender to Me, not by your might, strength or even desire - but submit to loving and honoring ME ...says the Lord ...and I will fill you with My love and strength!

p.s. - here's one that convicts me ---

Prov. 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

Let's B3 in C1 - build back to basics in Christlike-ness!

The Dangers of Leading by Emotions

A young leader wants to make a difference and exerts himself to communicate the vision passionately. There’s nothing wrong with the vision, it’s purpose or the plan. The danger lies within the heart. The emotions and intentions of a leader who is dealing with jealousy, competition, even low self esteem. There’s a danger in a leader, young or older, who leads and makes decisions thinking that he or she is being objective, but in reality, they are blinded by their own pride.

So how do you handle this kind of situation and person?

How do we avoid falling into the pitfalls of leading by emotion?

I suggest that part of the solution lives in a heart willing to be corrected, who is teachable and yearns to grow closer to God. Position, not just in title, but in recognition, is important to leaders - whether we confess, agree or not. Another part of the answer is found in Philippians 4, verse 8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Leaders emulate leaders or other influential people in their lives. I need to surround myself with people who love Jesus the way I want to love Jesus. With people who live for Jesus, the way I want to live for Jesus.

As for handling leader types with an edge...? As a leader handled me, so I encourage you:

Speak the truth with love, to support, not just change or speak to. Live love, gain relationship and respect, then speak truth. Ask good, thought provoking questions that will help others to discover their weaknesses. Questions like: How do you see yourself? How do you think others see your leadership? Where do you feel like you need improvement?