Misinformation becomes assumptions. Since the information is false, the assumptions are false as well. But eventually, these assumptions are so widely accepted that they become realities they’re fake realities.
In 1997 when I first came to India, I noticed that all the vehicles used the old nylon tires. When I asked at several tire shops about getting radial tires, they all replied: “Oh, they won’t hold up to the kind of rough roads we have here.”
Now, more than twenty years later, the roads have improved only a little, but Radial tires are all you see here. The misinformation had become a fake reality.
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Get back to the basics. What are the few basic things we must do? Keep doing those few things consistently, and strive to do them well.
It’s easier to look for options. Other possibilities begin to look attractive to us. We doubt our current plan and wonder how we ever got started on this. But this kind of thinking can get you jumping from one project to the next, never really accomplishing anything productive.
So what happens when you get back to the basics? You begin to focus your time, energy, and money on just a few things that matter the most. These are foundational aspects to what you’re engaged in.
You may still experience losses, but those losses are in areas that are not foundational to what you’re accomplishing. Some fallout is to be expected.
No need to fear the dry times. God will use those times as seasons for strengthening your foundations.
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As we sat together in the cafe, the tears continually filled his eyes. We talked of different people whose lives were dramatically changed by the power of God.
The tears showed the genuineness and the passion for reaching out to the broken in our society. But if leaders lack this passion, their passions are elsewhere. For many, it’s a passion for their church organization, their position, or other organizational goals.
But I’m convinced you can’t replace passion for souls. Jesus was clear in his statement that he came to save the lost.
Lord, send more crying leaders!
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Praying for healing can be a great challenge. It brings fear and doubt within us. We wonder if we will see the results immediately. But it doesn’t have to be like this.
When we understand that God’s presence automatically brings his power, things change. We’ll have more confidence in our prayer. We can also expect more results because of our increased dependence on God’s power that is present in the room to heal the sick.
Don’t separate God’s presence and power – they are inseparable. If they are inseparable, what’s the problem? The problem is a lack of confidence in us and a lack of reliance on God. Thus we’ll end up with shallow prayers that are focused on ourselves rather on the Great Healer.
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Nobody. Except God. But why? Why can’t I live my life my way? Why does there have to be some kind of “Law” book to guide my actions?
You see, this problem started in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve bit into that fruit, they bit into something more than the fruit. They “bit” into Satan’s deception. His deception was that we could somehow attain independence from our creator.
The flaw in this logic is clear when we understand that life cannot be lived apart from our creator. Here are just a few examples from Scripture:
“I am the vine you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)
“…nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25)
“For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God… (Lev 11:45).
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I’ve spent countless hours speaking to people who really weren’t interested in listening to the Good News I was sharing with them. Since I am convinced that this will bless them and impact their lives, I kept on trying to get through. But they were not ready to receive my message.
Jesus instructed the seventy two to find the “person of peace” who would be open to their message.
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘peace be to this house’ and if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you” (Luke 10:5-7).
“Heal the sick in it and say to the, the kingdom of God has come near to you. But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you,l go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near” (Luke 10:9-11).
Find the persons of peace, and let the kingdom come into their hearts and homes.
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Although I’ve been writing for years, I’ve only been blogging since 2012. Here are some of the reasons I write this blog several times per week.
- To process my thoughts
These are the things I deal with as I lead and teach. As I continue reading and learning from others, I need to process all of that. What I write is what I’ve been doing. Sometimes I write my thoughts, then put them into practice.
- To hear from God
I believe I hear from the Lord as I process my thoughts through writing. Words and concepts develop in my mind and blend with what I’ve been reading and experiencing.
- To help others
This is a way for me to extend my hand to others. I’m certainly not an expert but a learner and observer. As I observe, I learn and pass on what I learn to help others. As I strive to lead and make an impact, I’d like to reach out and help others.
Thanks for reading.
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Get many people to share your vision along with you. Write out your vision and make it clear, brief, and attainable. Then share it with everyone. Not just people on your leadership team but every single person in your organization.
As you continue to share your vision with more people, it will spark interest and buy-in. This will result in increased productivity and reduced deviations and grumblings.
Allow your vision to spark within every single individual
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No, God doesn’t need any help. He has his own plans and his own ways of doing things. And they’re usually not according to our expectations.
But if people are watching and things don’t move according to popular expectations, then we’re in trouble. Or we think that God’s reputation will be on the line. God is not worried about his reputation – why are we?
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu wanted to make sure they looked authentic before the people. Instead of waiting for fire from heaven to come down and burn up the sacrifice, they offered their own solution. They decided to add their own fire to the sacrifice. They got the desired effect. But God was not pleased (Lev 10:1-3).
Allow God to work at his own pace. He doesn’t need us to help him out. When we allow God to move as he pleases, He will be glorified and pleased.
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Really?
Whenever you think that you’re beyond sin, you’re on dangerous ground. At that point, you step into the realm of deception where Satan distorts your thinking. Then you fall into sin and conceal it to present such a public image of yourself that you have falsely created.
For Israel, God was adamant that they regularly offer sacrifices for their sins. Beginning with the leaders and all the people, everyone had to offer Sin Offerings. This constantly reminded them of their sinful condition and continual need for God (Lev 9).
But we have forgiveness through the one-time sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This is why we no longer do animal sacrifices. But like Paul, we must remind ourselves: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim 1:15).
We are now free from the control of sin. And yes, sin is no longer an issue for us. But watch it. Don’t be deceived.– – –
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