From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
James 1:19 "My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."
I'll tell you how to deal with conflict quickly, but you're not going to like it. The solution to conflict resolution is one word: confrontation.
If you're going to resolve conflict, you must confront. But, you don't have to confront in anger. In fact, you should try not to confront in anger. Lovingly go to the person and, then speaking the truth in love, deal with the problem immediately.
Very few of us enjoy confrontation. The only people who really do are troublemakers who seem to delight in confrontation. They love to go to people and say, "You're blowing it!" That's their thrill.
Because it's risky and uncomfortable, most people don't like confrontation, but it's the only way to resolve conflict. What's the best way to confront? James 1:19 teaches three rules for confrontation. Everyone should be:
· Quick to listen,
· Slow to speak, and
· Slow to become angry.
If you're quick to listen and if you're slow to speak, you'll automatically be slow to anger. What are you listening for? You are listening for the hurt in that person. Hurting people always hurt other people. When someone is being a jerk, more than likely it's because that person is hurting. When you understand their hurt a bit, you have a better understanding of why they do what they do, and you're a little more patient with them.
Understanding always brings patience. When we don't understand things, we're impatient. When we understand them, we're much more patient.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Nothing Is Impossible
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God."
Jesus born of a virgin? Many sophisticated minds classify such claims as preposterous, right alongside other legends and myths. The virgin birth may seem like a tabloid headline: "Teenage Virgin Claims God is the Father." A virgin birth does make a good story, but it is often impossible for a rational person to accept.
But think about what it means if you do accept the virgin birth. It means you believe that nothing is impossible with God. Right now, you may be facing some real trials and struggles in your life and see no possible way to deal with those issues. If you can believe in the virgin birth, you can easily come to the realization that nothing is impossible with God! There is no problem, there is no hardship; there is no difficulty that is too tough for God. Don't give up hope!
Realize that if you choose not to believe in the virgin birth you're going to miss out on the true nature of Jesus Christ. Because if Jesus was not born of a virgin, the only conclusion you can draw is that he was just a man - a good man, but just a man. If you reject the virgin birth, you have chosen to believe in a mighty small God. But our God resurrected a man from the dead, so what's the big deal about a virgin birth? Remember, nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God."
Jesus born of a virgin? Many sophisticated minds classify such claims as preposterous, right alongside other legends and myths. The virgin birth may seem like a tabloid headline: "Teenage Virgin Claims God is the Father." A virgin birth does make a good story, but it is often impossible for a rational person to accept.
But think about what it means if you do accept the virgin birth. It means you believe that nothing is impossible with God. Right now, you may be facing some real trials and struggles in your life and see no possible way to deal with those issues. If you can believe in the virgin birth, you can easily come to the realization that nothing is impossible with God! There is no problem, there is no hardship; there is no difficulty that is too tough for God. Don't give up hope!
Realize that if you choose not to believe in the virgin birth you're going to miss out on the true nature of Jesus Christ. Because if Jesus was not born of a virgin, the only conclusion you can draw is that he was just a man - a good man, but just a man. If you reject the virgin birth, you have chosen to believe in a mighty small God. But our God resurrected a man from the dead, so what's the big deal about a virgin birth? Remember, nothing is impossible with God.
Do Not Worry
From: The Upper Room Ministries
Luke 12:22 "Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear."
The company I was working for reduced staff, and I lost my job. This left me feeling very concerned about the future. Would I be able to provide for my wife and children?
One day when I was feeling particularly worried, I took a walk in a nearby park. Suddenly a flash of brilliant blue caught my eye. It was a kingfisher that had just flown down from a nearby branch. Quickly the bird was back up in the tree, gulping down a worm. This surprised me. I had thought that kingfishers ate only fish. The bird flew down to the ground and back up into the tree six or seven times. Each time it returned to the tree with a worm, which it swiftly swallowed. Then it began to sing a happy song.
The kingfisher easily caught many worms. Although they weren't its preferred food, it seemed to be happy. Then I realized that the God who provides food for a kingfisher would no doubt provide for me and my family. Even if I had to survive on less money and fewer goods than before, I could still be joyful in God.
Luke 12:22 "Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear."
The company I was working for reduced staff, and I lost my job. This left me feeling very concerned about the future. Would I be able to provide for my wife and children?
One day when I was feeling particularly worried, I took a walk in a nearby park. Suddenly a flash of brilliant blue caught my eye. It was a kingfisher that had just flown down from a nearby branch. Quickly the bird was back up in the tree, gulping down a worm. This surprised me. I had thought that kingfishers ate only fish. The bird flew down to the ground and back up into the tree six or seven times. Each time it returned to the tree with a worm, which it swiftly swallowed. Then it began to sing a happy song.
The kingfisher easily caught many worms. Although they weren't its preferred food, it seemed to be happy. Then I realized that the God who provides food for a kingfisher would no doubt provide for me and my family. Even if I had to survive on less money and fewer goods than before, I could still be joyful in God.
Priorities
From: The Upper Room Ministries
Matthew: 6:33 "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
One of the biggest dilemmas for most people is juggling the roles and responsibilities of modern life. These roles clash with one another, competing for our time. The constant struggle to choose takes our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. We may feel life is out of control as we go in different directions and find no satisfaction in any of our accomplishments.
Turning to God can give us peace in the midst of this chaos. Through the years I have come to realize that the most important priority in my life is to cultivate a personal, intimate relationship with God. When I commit to doing what God has called me to do, my choices become clearer. This puts my other responsibilities and roles in perspective, blessed by God's wisdom.
Matthew: 6:33 "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
One of the biggest dilemmas for most people is juggling the roles and responsibilities of modern life. These roles clash with one another, competing for our time. The constant struggle to choose takes our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. We may feel life is out of control as we go in different directions and find no satisfaction in any of our accomplishments.
Turning to God can give us peace in the midst of this chaos. Through the years I have come to realize that the most important priority in my life is to cultivate a personal, intimate relationship with God. When I commit to doing what God has called me to do, my choices become clearer. This puts my other responsibilities and roles in perspective, blessed by God's wisdom.
Patience
From: Our Daily Bread Ministries - Joe Stowell
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is...patience."
We've all heard the prayer: "Lord, make me more patient—and do it now!"
Why is it that patience evaporates when we are late for a critical engagement and are caught in a traffic jam? Or we rush to the "10 items or less" line at the store, only to find someone in front of us with 16 items!
Being forced to wait ratchets up the stress and shortens our fuse. When that happens, we not only fail to be patient but we undercut the Spirit's work in our lives.
Patience is not just a virtue, it's a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)—which means that demonstrations of impatience reveal the sour fruit of our fallen hearts rather than the sweetness of Jesus in our lives. Since God is a patient God, when we abandon patience we miss the opportunity to show our world the glory of God through our lives.
Bursts of impatience only demonstrate that we are more concerned with our own agendas than the needs and struggles of others. So let's all take a deep breath and turn our focus away from ourselves by patiently loving others instead of ourselves in the midst of stress.
Patience gives us the privilege of sharing the refreshing fruit of God with others.
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is...patience."
We've all heard the prayer: "Lord, make me more patient—and do it now!"
Why is it that patience evaporates when we are late for a critical engagement and are caught in a traffic jam? Or we rush to the "10 items or less" line at the store, only to find someone in front of us with 16 items!
Being forced to wait ratchets up the stress and shortens our fuse. When that happens, we not only fail to be patient but we undercut the Spirit's work in our lives.
Patience is not just a virtue, it's a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)—which means that demonstrations of impatience reveal the sour fruit of our fallen hearts rather than the sweetness of Jesus in our lives. Since God is a patient God, when we abandon patience we miss the opportunity to show our world the glory of God through our lives.
Bursts of impatience only demonstrate that we are more concerned with our own agendas than the needs and struggles of others. So let's all take a deep breath and turn our focus away from ourselves by patiently loving others instead of ourselves in the midst of stress.
Patience gives us the privilege of sharing the refreshing fruit of God with others.
A Low Profile
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
1 Peter 5:5 "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble."
Real servants maintain a low profile. Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they "put on the apron of humility, to serve one another" (1 Peter 5:5).
If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don't allow notoriety to distract them from their work. Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it "eyeservice," serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22).
This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Jesus hated this attitude and warned, "When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).
Self-promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it whenever possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.
Joseph is a great example. He didn't draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh's baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant's heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.
Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.
You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He has every hair on your head numbered, and he knows your address.
1 Peter 5:5 "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble."
Real servants maintain a low profile. Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they "put on the apron of humility, to serve one another" (1 Peter 5:5).
If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don't allow notoriety to distract them from their work. Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it "eyeservice," serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22).
This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Jesus hated this attitude and warned, "When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).
Self-promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it whenever possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.
Joseph is a great example. He didn't draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh's baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant's heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.
Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.
You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He has every hair on your head numbered, and he knows your address.
Trust The Pilot
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Hebrews 10:38 "The just shall live by faith."
Walking by faith is not easy. When you make up your mind to trust God the odds are usually stacked against you. Remember Noah? When he built the ark there had never been rain! And the outcome isn't always what you expect.
Walking by faith doesn't mean your problems suddenly evaporate. Sometimes faith doesn't change your circumstances, it changes you by giving you the tenacity to hang in there when the cheque doesn't come in the mail, the doctor says, "It's malignant," your spouse asks for a divorce, the children are running riot, or the place you've worked in for 30 years closes its doors. Faith gives you the fortitude to endure these things, confident that God is working on your behalf. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" (Hebrews 11:1-2).
When the Bible says, "The just shall live by faith" it doesn't mean little sporadic bursts. No, it's talking about a lifestyle! Anybody can go the first few rounds in the ring; it's when you're knocked down in the ninth that you need the faith to get back up and keep fighting. When the plane you're flying on encounters turbulence you don't throw away your ticket or bail out, you sit still and trust the pilot.
Hebrews 10:38 "The just shall live by faith."
Walking by faith is not easy. When you make up your mind to trust God the odds are usually stacked against you. Remember Noah? When he built the ark there had never been rain! And the outcome isn't always what you expect.
Walking by faith doesn't mean your problems suddenly evaporate. Sometimes faith doesn't change your circumstances, it changes you by giving you the tenacity to hang in there when the cheque doesn't come in the mail, the doctor says, "It's malignant," your spouse asks for a divorce, the children are running riot, or the place you've worked in for 30 years closes its doors. Faith gives you the fortitude to endure these things, confident that God is working on your behalf. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" (Hebrews 11:1-2).
When the Bible says, "The just shall live by faith" it doesn't mean little sporadic bursts. No, it's talking about a lifestyle! Anybody can go the first few rounds in the ring; it's when you're knocked down in the ninth that you need the faith to get back up and keep fighting. When the plane you're flying on encounters turbulence you don't throw away your ticket or bail out, you sit still and trust the pilot.
Act With Courage
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
2 Chronicles 19:11 ".... Act with courage and the Lord will be with the good."
Paul writes, "Every detail works to your advantage… So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace" (2 Corinthians 4:15-17).
Note the words, "we're not giving up." Any time we want to move forward, obstacles are going to get in the way. And God's Word teaches us that we should expect nothing less.
H.G. Wells asked, "What on earth would a man do with himself if something didn't stand in his way?" Why would he make such a comment? Because adversity is our friend, even though it doesn't feel that way. Each obstacle we overcome teaches us about our strengths and weaknesses. It shapes us, makes us wiser and more confident. The greatest people in history were those who faced the most difficult challenges with courage, and rose to the occasion.
That was certainly true of Winston Churchill. In his book American Scandal, Pat Williams writes about Churchill's last months. He says in 1964 President Eisenhower went to visit the former Prime Minister. Eisenhower sat by the bold-spirited leader's bed for a long period of time, neither speaking. After ten minutes, Churchill slowly raised his hand and painstakingly made the 'V' for victory sign which he had so often flashed to the British people during the war. Eisenhower, fighting back tears, pulled his chair back, stood up, saluted him and left the room. To his aide out in the hallway, Eisenhower said, "I just said goodbye to Winston, but you never say farewell to courage."
2 Chronicles 19:11 ".... Act with courage and the Lord will be with the good."
Paul writes, "Every detail works to your advantage… So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace" (2 Corinthians 4:15-17).
Note the words, "we're not giving up." Any time we want to move forward, obstacles are going to get in the way. And God's Word teaches us that we should expect nothing less.
H.G. Wells asked, "What on earth would a man do with himself if something didn't stand in his way?" Why would he make such a comment? Because adversity is our friend, even though it doesn't feel that way. Each obstacle we overcome teaches us about our strengths and weaknesses. It shapes us, makes us wiser and more confident. The greatest people in history were those who faced the most difficult challenges with courage, and rose to the occasion.
That was certainly true of Winston Churchill. In his book American Scandal, Pat Williams writes about Churchill's last months. He says in 1964 President Eisenhower went to visit the former Prime Minister. Eisenhower sat by the bold-spirited leader's bed for a long period of time, neither speaking. After ten minutes, Churchill slowly raised his hand and painstakingly made the 'V' for victory sign which he had so often flashed to the British people during the war. Eisenhower, fighting back tears, pulled his chair back, stood up, saluted him and left the room. To his aide out in the hallway, Eisenhower said, "I just said goodbye to Winston, but you never say farewell to courage."
Are You Available?
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
2 Timothy 2:4 "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier"
Much like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty.
Real servants make themselves available to serve. Servants don't fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called on. If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient.
Are you available to God anytime? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? As a servant, you don't get to pick and choose when or where you will serve. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to.
If you will remind yourself at the start of every day that you are God's servant, interruptions won't frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.
2 Timothy 2:4 "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier"
Much like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty.
Real servants make themselves available to serve. Servants don't fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called on. If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient.
Are you available to God anytime? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? As a servant, you don't get to pick and choose when or where you will serve. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to.
If you will remind yourself at the start of every day that you are God's servant, interruptions won't frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.
The 100 Degree Attitude
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Romans 12:11 "Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; He whom you serve is the Lord."
When a motivational products company interviewed Tim Dumler by phone for a sales job, he told them his goal was to become their number one employee. After meeting him in person they were shocked to discover he was legally blind. But he promised he'd buy a machine that magnifies letters. So, despite serious misgivings, they hired him. And it's a good thing they did. He came in early, worked late, and within six years became their top producer.
His clients loved him because when you're blind you become a great listener. And his associates loved him because of his caring, positive attitude. He said, "It's unfortunate that I'm visually impaired but adversity made me a better person. I have a lot more than I don't have." Tim has the 100-degree attitude!
What's the 100-degree attitude? Motivational speaker Mack Anderson explains: "At 99 degrees celcius water is hot. At 100 degrees it boils. With boiling water comes steam. And steam can power a train. One extra degree makes all the difference in business and in life; it separates the good from the great."
Here's some straight talk for slackers, those with no ambition, and those who see no purpose or value in this life: "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does" (Ephesians 6:7-8).
The Bible tells us to be "fervent in spirit". This word fervent means 'bubbling or boiling'. In other words, having the 100-degree attitude! By the way, when God promises to reward such an attitude, you don't have to wait until you get to Heaven to enjoy it.
Romans 12:11 "Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; He whom you serve is the Lord."
When a motivational products company interviewed Tim Dumler by phone for a sales job, he told them his goal was to become their number one employee. After meeting him in person they were shocked to discover he was legally blind. But he promised he'd buy a machine that magnifies letters. So, despite serious misgivings, they hired him. And it's a good thing they did. He came in early, worked late, and within six years became their top producer.
His clients loved him because when you're blind you become a great listener. And his associates loved him because of his caring, positive attitude. He said, "It's unfortunate that I'm visually impaired but adversity made me a better person. I have a lot more than I don't have." Tim has the 100-degree attitude!
What's the 100-degree attitude? Motivational speaker Mack Anderson explains: "At 99 degrees celcius water is hot. At 100 degrees it boils. With boiling water comes steam. And steam can power a train. One extra degree makes all the difference in business and in life; it separates the good from the great."
Here's some straight talk for slackers, those with no ambition, and those who see no purpose or value in this life: "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does" (Ephesians 6:7-8).
The Bible tells us to be "fervent in spirit". This word fervent means 'bubbling or boiling'. In other words, having the 100-degree attitude! By the way, when God promises to reward such an attitude, you don't have to wait until you get to Heaven to enjoy it.
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