Renew your mind and be transformed so that you won’t conform to this world. But the world is like a strong suction/force that can easily suck us into its realm. Once you are sucked in, you become part of the system.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

Circumcise your heart. It’s a deep rooted step to establish a covenant with God from your heart. This is where your heart’s desire is only toward him. No other desire can take its place.
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deut 10:16).
Crucify the flesh. It has an insatiable desire to pull us away from our Lord. All other forces are external, and we can do battle with those. But how do you fight something within?
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24).
The “flesh” is the old nature of sin that constantly pulls us away from God and his ways. Don’t fight it. Crucify it.
Renew, Circumcise, and crucify. There is no better way to deal with the world and the leanings of the heart.
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Fear, anger, guilt, frustration, and numerous other responses follow tragic events in our lives. Our response truly reveals who we are and what we value.
The turmoil you face within you and the struggles of daily life may seem to be strangling you. It’s too much to bear. What are you to make of your life when you face tragedy from every direction? How should you respond?
There was a man whose first response will amaze us. Here’s what he did: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped (Job 1:20).
First, there was decisive action: “Then Job arose.” Don’t fall back in fear, and don’t give up on life. Get up. Move forward. Take action.
Second, Job acknowledged his loss. He “Tore his robe and shaved his head.” A healthy amount of grieving needs to be a part of our response to extreme tragedy. We need not grieve permanently. It needs to be only a season of grieving.
Third, he acknowledged God. Job “Fell on the ground and worshiped. He understood that God was his only hope.
Yes, our first response truly says a lot.
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One creates brilliant people who work hard and work smart. These are people who benefit themselves and their families. The other system creates leaders who create jobs and opportunities for many.
So, are leadership traits developed or inborn? Both. Some people portray a strong tenacity and confidence that is conducive to leadership. These people grow quickly in their leadership abilities and are recognized as leaders.
How are leaders created? Develop in young people the skill to think freely. It’s not good enough to memorize lots of data. Learn to figure out how and where that data can be used.
Another major key to leadership is the ability to accept people as they are and to help them to excel. They should be taught to never ignore the weak. Every person has a contribution to make. Focus on the strengths of every person and help them to develop in the areas of their weaknesses.
While a smart, hard working person will do well for themselves, leaders also benefit the people around them, and ultimately the society.
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There is no doubt you love God with all your heart. But your breaking point is where you suffer loss, pain, persecution, or some form of severe trauma where you’re ready to forsake God. Oh, but you would never reject God. You wouldn’t even think of it. But you never know until you reach the breaking point.
Throughout history, prisoners of war suffered some of the most severe torture done to humans. Many held on to uphold the honor of their nation, but there were those who could stand it no longer. Some just gave up hope and died in captivity and torture. These are realities that we would wish on no one, not even our enemies.
At one time, God was “boasting” to Satan about Job saying that “there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8). But Satan responded that Job might turn away when taken to the breaking point (Job 1:11).
What might be the breaking point in your life? Would it be the loss of your income, loss of important friends, loss of health, inability to get the education or job you wanted? Or will never ending pain and suffering till death bring you to the breaking point?
You never know where your breaking point is. So examine each of the above areas with your heart and make a complete submission to God in each of the important areas. Then, cry out to God for the grace that kept Job faithful throughout all his sufferings.
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“But that’s not what I meant.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You’ve changed my words around completely.”
These are common responses from people as they speak to someone who is emotionally stirred.
Words may be spoken clearly, but the decoding is muddled with emotions. The speaker’s intentions are misunderstood, and the focus of the message skewed. The bottom line is, be careful when you speak to someone whose emotions are stirred.
The better option is to just listen. Allow the person to speak what’s in their heart. Don’t give too much value to the words you hear. Much of it is simply “venting” their emotions. Just listen.
A few simple questions are good. But not too many. Make them simple questions. Most of all, allow their emotions to settle. Let them listen to their own words. This way, they’ll better understand what’s within them.
The emotions and the ears are connected in quite a unique and challenging way. Work with it.
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It was my final year of college. An important decision had to be made (a resignation). I thought through various options that were before me. I considered the implications that each option presented. I mulled over these things for several weeks as I struggled with making the decision.
Then I remembered that I should talk it over with my pastor and mentor. We sat in a restaurant with coffee mugs in hand as we had done many times. He asked me to share what’s on my mind.
After bringing out all my thoughts regarding the issue and the various options before me, he surprised me with a piercing statement. “Alexi, it seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
Wow! I didn’t realize it, but the decision was already finalized within me. Maybe I was just “bouncing” off a decision that I’d already made.
Now, I see this happening in others. And I hear myself repeating the same words I heard several decades ago. “It seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
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You are correct. You’re knowledgeable. There is no doubt about it. No one can deny it. But please, just keep it to yourself.
Add some compassion to your approach. Without compassion, you’ll just run over everyone with your greatness. Without compassion, knowledge is dangerous.
Have the patience to listen first. Let me talk. This way, you’ll hear my heart. Then, share wisdom and knowledge based on my interests and needs. Otherwise, you become irrelevant. And sorry to say, irrelevant knowledge is annoying.
Without compassion and a listening ear, just take your great knowledge and . . . keep it to yourself.
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