Motivate

Developing people is one of our most appreciable assets as leaders. From John Maxwell’s book Developing the Leader Within You, he breaks down a few of the motivators people have. They are significant contributions, goal participation, positive dissatisfaction, recognition and clear expectation.

The bottom line is people are motivated by different things. I put on my facebook and twitter accounts today the question what motivates you and got some great answers. But not many of them were similar, so it just goes to show as a leader we have to find out what motivates the people under us and try to help to motivate them based on what is their determining motivating factor.

My question to you today is: What motivates you?

Have Fun

I wanted to encourage you today to just have fun. I am speaking to myself also, because I really believe with our busy lives and things we are all trying to do today, the enemy likes to steal our joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord of the strength.”

I am way to serious sometimes for those that know me. When I get into the groove of something my facial expressions show no sign of a smile and I concentrate and can almost look upset or intimidating. I really have to prepare myself and say this verse over and over. I have to be very intentional about smiling and showing a joyous expression on my face.

But the main point of this today is to encourage you to find the fun and joy in every situation. When in traffic, and if you live in Atlanta you will deal with traffic, just smile and have fun. Try to find some memory or thought that makes you smile and think that.

But seriously (you should see my face right now no smile because I am being serious :-) ) have fun and remember that the Lord will give you strength when you have joy!!

Slow To Judge

I came across this prayer and wanted to share:
“Heavenly Father help me to remember that the jerk that cut me off in traffic last night, is a single mother who just worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to do the homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with their children. Help me to remember the pierced tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change at the local store, is a worried 19 year old college student balancing his apprehension over his final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans next semester. Remind me Lord that the bum, the scary looking guy begging for money in the same spot every day, is a slave to his addictions that I can’t only imagine in my worst nightmares. Help me to remember that the old couple who is walking so annoyingly slow in the super market, blocking up the aisles and slowing everyone down are probably savoring their final moments together based on the last biopsy report she got, this will be the last few moments they will spend together. Heavenly father remind me that each day, all the gifts you have given us the greatest gift is love. It’s not enough to share the love with those I hold dear, but open my hearts to all humanity. Let me be slow to judge, quick to forgive, bless me with patience, empathy and love.
And all God’s people said AMEN.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 16

Week 16 January 24th
Spiritual— Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
Physical— Psalm 103:3 He who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases
• Diet- Start fast—Daniel fast 4 days this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday liquids only
• Body-Start new work out plan this week
Family- Psalm 127:3-5 Don't you see that children are GOD's best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents

• Parenting- Family Devotional Friday Night—Continue God Provides Series, kids read the bible everyday and the kids fasting devotional, did lunch with Madylaine last week, plan date day with Solomon
• Marriage- Date afternoon Friday
Financial- Romans 13:8 I keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love others.
Ministry- 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified

Be Audacious

I was listening to Steven Furtick’s message “Make Us Audacious” from the One Prayer series this morning and wanted to share this with you. In 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan is sharing with his armor-bearer prior to going on a mission to attack the Philistines and he tells him “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, where by many or by few.” (NIV) He encouraged his armor-bearer even though it was a suicide mission, there were only two swords left in Israel and Jonathan and Saul were the only two left with one.

“I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily on our behalf.” Jim Cymbala, Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle and author.

Be encouraged and have the audacity to move on God’s behalf and He will move on yours. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. When you step out in faith and do what He has called you to according to His purpose He will make you more than a conqueror, he will make you the head and not the tail, you will be above and never beneath, He will give you the strength and wisdom to pull off the miraculous. Just be prepared to step on His behalf and don’t let anything hold you back. Nothing can stop God.

Accept The Compliment

A compliment is defined as, "say something to someone that expresses praise."

Something God has really been sharing with me lately is to make sure I am accepting any compliments. Not in an arrogant way but in a way to glorify. We might get compliments about our kids, our clothes, our house or anything and we say things like.

"You should see my kids when they are not in public"

"Or, these clothes, I got them on sale on the clearance rack"

"Or this house, no not really way too many things are wrong with it"

I clearly heard God saying to me to make sure I am accepting the compliment in a humble way. When we deny our compliments we are taking away from the blessing God has given to us.

Next time someone compliments you--give the glory to God and accept it in a most humbling way.

Be The Light

I want to encourage you today to know that you can either be the light or be the darkness in someones day. I try to always be encouraging to those around me and try to compliment people on something I notice and I truly am genuine about it. I can’t give anyone a fake compliment.

I was reading in Matthew and came across Matthew 5:14-16 which says,

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Know that when your light shines before men, that will reflect the glory of God and the deeds you have done are to glorify Him. God has called us to be the light. Try to make sure you are not bringing anyone down with the problems of your life but lift them up in the light of the Father. If you have something going on in your life you can ask some of your key people you know for prayer but try to also be an encourager.

Lets try this on for size when you are asking for a prayer request ask if there is anything you can be praying to them about. This way you can bring glorify to the Father by doing this.

Step

Too many times people can miss their calling in their life out of fear, doubt and worry. They are afraid to get out of their comfort zone and move into something that might make them a little uncomfortable.

Here are the questions I have been getting:

• I don’t know what God’s destiny for me is?
• What does God want in my life?
• What should I be doing?
• I know I am supposed to be doing something for the church or for the community but not sure what?
• Where do I fit in?

Many people ask those questions out of their lack of confidence and hesitate or even worse not get involved in making a difference in peoples’ lives.

My answer………….JUST STEP.

Matthew 14:25-30 talks about Jesus and Peter walking on water,

25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

All Peter did in verse 29 was he stepped out and literally walked on the water, God hardened the water once he stepped. When he took his eyes of Jesus in verse 30 is when he began to sink, that is an entirely different message.

The message is simple. If you want to know what you should be doing just step and start somewhere. When I first started in church I did not go to the pastor and say, “You know I feel called to be a connections pastor.” I said, “Where can I serve?” So I actually started as an usher, then they caught wind that I played the guitar so I started to play on the praise team. But I was willing to do whatever. I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than I was. Did I know when I first started going to church I would be a connections pastor….absolutely not. I just took a step and God hardened the water.
My challenge to you is to just step. If you want to get involved in the church, just step, get involved in the community, just step. God will harden the water.

Be On Purpose

I wanted to share with you today what God was putting on my heart. He told me to make sure to be on purpose in every area of my life and to have a plan for everything I am doing. Be on purpose in your marriage, be on purpose in your parenting, and be on purpose in your ministry and health and life. Every week I have to make sure that I actually plan out a date night with my wife to make sure we have purpose in my marriage. Every week I have to plan out my meetings with people and week to keep on track. I try to plan every month to have a date with my kids, plan a family day, and plan a family devotional and quarterly plan to have lunch with my kids at school. I share this not to boast but to let you know that in everything we do we need to be intentional and have a strategy for the things God has called us to do.

Too many times we can get wrapped up in what we are doing and forget about those around us. God has a purpose and destiny for each one of us and we have to realize and walk in what he has for us.

My challenge for you is what areas are you on purpose in your life and what areas do we need to step up in.

Be Authentic

I wanted to share with you today about making sure you are being authentic. Way too many times people try to put on a front when so many people can actually see through it.

God has called us to be authentic in our relationship with others. I have tried to be real intentional about returning emails, returning calls and making sure that I follow through with what I say. Anytime you fail to do what you have said you loose credibility.

God has called us to make a difference in peoples lives and I want to stretch your thinking today to make sure you are real when you are in your daily life. Let me stop you right there also because Provers says "the Power of Life and Death are in the tongue." So there are actually power in our words so when people ask how you are doing, being authentic does not mean that you are a downer and tell everything that is going wrong in your life. That is not my message here today.

My message today is to challenge you to make sure you are following through with what you say, have a guideline on returning email, and phone calls. God has challenged me lately to make sure I am responding in a life giving way to my phone calls, email and any direct communication I come across. What is God telling you through this blog??

31 Kings

Way too many times we give up prior to seeing the breakthrough. There have been many times in my life I felt like giving up on something. Felt like, what is the use, if God wanted me to have this then He would make it happen.
Let’s think about Joshua, many people remember him for being the one who entered into the Promised Land. Joshua and his men made the wall at Jericho collapse. He was able to enter in the Promised Land. But there is more to the story than that.
Did you know that Joshua had to fight and defeat 31 kings prior to entering into the Promised Land?

The enemy is going to throw some kings you will need to battle prior to you receiving what God has for you. There is going to be a moment in your leadership journey, where it is going to cost you something. As you grow and move past the battles the enemy has put in front of you, you will have to decide: Do I press on or Do I give up.

I want to encourage you today that the battle is not won in one victory. It might take you 31 battles, some might be victories and some might be losses however press on toward the goal. Continue to persevere in what God has called you to do, because the enemy might just throw 31 kings you will need to battle in front of you prior to you seeing the blessing.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 15

Week 15 January 17th
Spiritual— Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Physical— 3 John 2 Beloved I pray that you will prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers
• Diet- Start fast—Daniel fast 5 days this week, Wednesday and Friday liquids only
• Body-Revise work out plan so that you enjoy it
Family- 1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

• Parenting- Family Devotional Friday Night, kids read the bible everyday and the kids fasting devotional
• Marriage- Date night Tuesday
Financial- Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Ministry- Colossians 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Take Ownership Demand Excellence

I was sharing this with our welcome today @ Turning Point Church about taking ownership and demanding excellence. I pray you will be able to also use this in your daily lives. I was encouraging the team to make sure we are creating an environment where the power and character of Jesus is so relevant that people leave in awe.

Mark 7:37 says, the people were overwhelmed with amazement and said, “He has done everything well.”

Matthew 9:8 says, when the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe.
Luke 7:16 says, they were filled with awe.

We want people leaving our church on Sundays saying wow, they did everything well. I was encouraging them to be thinking of what we can do to make our team better and then step up and do it. Don’t just work on in but work in it. We can be doing the wrong thing and be in the right environment and God will still move. People will be filled with awe.

I want to encourage you to take an evaluation of your life, your business, and your ministry and ask yourself are we reflecting the glory of Jesus with people walking away saying wow.

Order Precedes Increase

The Lord was reminding me today of certain things in my life I have to make sure I have order on prior to Him giving me the increase in that area. He reminded me of the scriptures where Jesus feeds the five thousand from Luke 9:10-17

10When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."

13He replied, "You give them something to eat."

They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." 14(About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Jesus sat them in groups of fifty and then he gave thanks and broke the bread. Did you catch that he set the order prior to the blessing.
I took this as a challenge in my life to make sure we have order in our house, in our family, in our finances and in our ministry that we have to make sure the order is there prior to God increasing it.

Honor Local Leaders

I felt led to share what has been on my heart recently. I find a strong sensation in my heart every time I see a policeman, fireman, councilman, mayor, state legislator, governor, judge, or any other type of community leaders. I find respect and honor welling up within me when I pray about these local community leaders.
Romans 13:7 says, “fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, and respect your leaders.”
I feel we as citizens have an obligation to honor our local government and community leaders. I have taken a personal challenge on myself to make sure I am continually praying for our local leaders and businesses in Henry County, GA and the surrounding areas. I truly believe that through the actions of our local leaders and through prayer that we can make a difference in a huge way. We are filled with many amazing people in our area and I am sure if you are reading this you can think of some of the leaders in your area.
I want to challenge you to find out who some of those local leaders are in your community and pray for them and honor them. If you take them out to lunch bless them by paying for it. Honor them in any way you can. Maybe you just need to send them a gift card or a thank you card, or an encouraging email. But take a step to honor our local leaders.

Stretch Out Your Hand

Don’t ever be afraid to step up and step out of your place where you are. Too many times we have a tendency to stay where we are not compelled to make a difference in our life. We have to be able to change our mind set to know that we have a purpose and destiny inside us to make a difference in not only our life but those around us. We have to evaluate our lives and find out if we are a lifter or do we drag people down.

In Matthew chapter 12, the Pharisees were questioning Jesus on why his disciples would work on the Sabbath. Jesus refers back to if any of our sheep falls and are in a pit will we not go and rescue them? So my question is we need to be treating our lives as to how can we keep from these sheep from falling into the pit? What can we do to prevent that? It all comes down to us changing. Jesus asked a man with the shriveled hand in Matthew 12 to “Stretch out his hand.” And it says he was completely restored!!

How well are you doing in your life with stretching out your hand? Will you be willing to serve on your Sabbath?

Change Happens

In order for us to live the best life we can we have to realize two things. One God does not change. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” The second thing is we have to change. Changing things grow and growing things change.
In order to have a tight relationship with God, He will continually grow us and change certain things in our lives. We must face the fact that we are in a culture that is constantly looking for the bigger and better thing. We live in a consumer driven culture and we as believers need to be sensitive to that however stand firm on the word of God.
Today I want to challenge you way of thinking and decide what are you going to change in your life to have a close relationship with God. Maybe it is something in your life you should not be doing, maybe you need to spend more time in prayer, and maybe you need to spend more time in the word. Maybe God is wanting us to wake up earlier and spend some time with him??

Be A Part Of Something Big

As I was reading in Matthew chapter 10 today Jesus was sending out His 12 and gave them a powerful, motivational and inspirational message, I believe fire them up before they were sent out. He starts out in Matthew 5 and in verse 6 he says “go to the lost sheep, the kingdom of heaven is near.” He gives them purpose and direction and is very strategic about what they will face and what they will encounter. I feel this is also a message to us today on what we will face and what we will encounter in our areas.

I used to be always searching for something to fill in some void I had in my life and wanted to be a part of a movement that was much bigger than me. I finally found it when I came to know Christ. In Matthew 10:39 Jesus says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

I really stand on this verse to know that I am a part of something much bigger than I am when I lose my life for Jesus. Often times He tells me to do something I don’t in the flesh want to do, but as long as I obey Him I know I will make an impact.

My challenge to you today is how are you being a part of something bigger than you? What are you doing to impact those around you? Are you creating a difference in people lives? If so is it for the better of the worse?

Plans...What Plans??

Have you ever made plans and been disappointed by the outcome or were not able to do what you had planned? Do you think God is ever disappointed in us for not following His plans He has for us?

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Way too many times I have made all these elaborate goals and plans to do something in my life and like Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, I was knocked off my horse by God. I had plans to somehow become the next CEO of a fortune 500 company five years ago. I was on the right track, being flexible to move my family across the United States, willing to travel, willing to work 60+ hours a week to get my job done. Work every Saturday to get ahead, sacrificing my soul, my family and possibly even my future. However God had plans for me: Jeremiah 29:11 said “God had plans for me for a hope and a future, not to harm me but to prosper me.”

The more I started seeking God the more Psalm 37:4 came true which says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.” No longer were my plans going to prevail, it was God’s plans that were going to prevail.
To make a long story short—I am not the CEO of a fortune 500 company…yet :), I am not working at a job that makes me sacrifice my soul and family…..I wish I could say I am not working 60+ hours a week.. :) . But the bottom line, I am doing something that I truly love doing and where God has called me.

Today, search your heart and commit to what you are doing and do it with all your heart because be glad to know that in the end it is God’s plan that will prevail.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 14

Week 14 January 10th
Spiritual—Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Physical— Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to a man’s whole body.
• Diet- Start fast—Daniel fast 6 days this week, Thursday full fast liquids only.
• Body-Continue work out plan work out at least 5 times this week with 3 extra cardio workouts
Family- 1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

• Parenting- Family Devotional Friday Night, kids read the bible everyday and the kids fasting devotional
• Marriage- Date night Tuesday
Financial- Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
Ministry- Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

The Awakening Day 1

We started our corporate fast today where we have invited our church to join us in a 21 day fast. This is a time where we fast something in our life whether food or something important to us to make it a sacrifice. During the time when you would usually watch television or eat you can spend time in prayer and the word. God has really challenged me to fast these 21 days and He shared with me that this is going to be the most powerful fast I have ever had.

Jesus did not say if you fast but when you fast in Matthew 6:16. Basically He was saying that we will fast. Now He also says not to boast when we are fasting. I am not doing that today just sharing what is on my heart. God has challenged me to in the next 21 days to be blogging consistently and sharing with you what He is sharing with me. We are having our kids fast as well—they have a certain plan and fasting certain things each day and reading their Bible and devotional.

I am extremely excited to see what God is going to do these next 21 days, in my life, in our family, in our church and in our country.

I Have A Confession

I have a confession to make today. I have caught myself a few times in the morning turning on my computer, checking my email, my facebook, or even my twitter before spending any time with God. My days sometimes are so jammed packed from 6 in the morning until 11pm at night that I can easily get caught up in my day before getting into the Bible or praying.

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you.”

I have made a commitment to myself no matter how busy my day is before I turn my computer on in the morning, I have to read the bible and pray prior to. Even if it is just one chapter or a 5 minute prayer—the momentum will start and then it won’t just be one chapter but 4 and it won’t just be 5 minute prayer but grow from that.
I have also felt God telling me with my days so busy not to just have Him as a time slot on my calendar or something on my to do list but make Him every part of my day. So I have also committed to making sure that I am praying all day, like Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to pray without ceasing. Praying in my car, praying standing in the line at Starbucks, praying during every part of my day that I can, and praying while standing in the line at Starbucks….oh wait I already said that one—maybe my second trip to Starbucks :-)

So my challenge to you today, before turning your computer on, read you Bible, pray and also make him every part of your day.

40 Week Renewal of Our Life Week 13

Spiritual—Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Physical— Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore your health, I will heal you of your wounds.

* Diet- Start getting prepared for the 21 day fast by limiting meat and sugars this week.
* Body-Continue work out plan work out at least 5 times this week with 3 extra cardio workouts

Family— 1 Peter 5:7 Give honor to your wife. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you, but she is an equal partner to God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.

* Parenting- Family Devotional Friday Night
* Marriage- Help with laundry and cleaning up of the house this week.

Financial- Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.

Ministry- 2 Corinthians 5:17 For if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.