The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
I was recently in a regional leaders meeting where we discussed the fact that today's people want events, seminars, workshops, mentorship and coaching. More than anything they seem to crave a leader's personal investment of time and interest. However, it was also noted that when any of that hits home and puts the finger of truth on areas of their life that need change, they back off. Scores of leaders affirm that people want them to pour into their lives but only to the degree that it doesn't mess with their desires, habits, goals and plans.
I've noticed two things about people who grow.
1) They recognize/honor the gift of God.
"So Christ himself
gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up…" Ephesians 4:11,12
Christ Himself gave these people to us to speak into our lives. Christ is not confused about what He sent.
The gift of God isn't God, however the gift does speak wisdom from God and has been appointed by him. Many will honor and receive the gift of God until they tell them something they don't want to hear. People love to have their leader's affirmation and encouragement, but rare is the person who craves truth-speaking, even in love. Because truth hits us where we live and it brings us to the crossroads of uncomfortable decisions. Those who honor and receive from the gift of God even when it touches sore points in their lives are the ones who will grow.
2) They don't just tolerate truth, they ask for it.
They crave it. They beg for it.
God gives a guarantee for growth in His Word. Don't you like guarantees? I love them!! A sure thing makes me super happy.
Referring to the gift of God and speaking truth (in Ephesians 4) it says,“speaking the truth in love, we will grow…”
Not we might
grow.
Not “it’s a
possibility that we’ll grow.”
We will
grow.
So first we
know, this is the key to real growth -- guaranteed growth.
If the truth
is spoken and if you hear it, and act on it, you will grow.
Do you want to be a whole package deal? Do you want to be all that and a bag of chips? I don't.
I want to be all that, a bag of chips AND dip, AND a Coke!
I want to be all that, a bag of chips AND dip, AND a Coke!
The Bible tells us how we can do that.
Verse 15 says: “To become in every respect the mature body…”
Not just
some respects.
Because the
Word knows that there are some who can be respected in some ways but not in
others.
And that’s
not good enough for the mature believer.
God wants
well rounded believers. No, that
doesn’t mean you gain a shirt size each year.
This means
well rounded spiritually.
The whole
package!
Nothing’s
missing!!!
You can have real growth in your life right now. You can move forward more than ever before. The choice is up to you, and starting with these two things gives you the winning edge. It's God's plan. That's why it works!
*This post today was taken from my message last night that I preached at the Fusion service at Celebration Church. It seemed to resonate with a lot of people so I'm posting a highlight from it here.
Comments