Has it ever happened to you when you try to do something and you are confident about it, but people don’t perceive it the same way? Here you are thinking you came up with something great and the way you communicate it out, it’s misunderstood and people have missed the point completely.

Are you going to stick with what you know to be right or are you going to mold into ‘fitting in’ to what everyone else is saying? What does it even mean to be original these days?  In a world where plagiarism is dominant, no one comes up with something different, they just borrow someone else’s thoughts  and ideas and combines them with theirs’. Globalization weaves in and everyone is trying to fit in and be like everyone. No distinction.

I was talking to one of my colleagues about a station wagon back in the ’70s. Remember the wood paneled station wagon? That was uniqueness, something different, original. When we look back at it now we might think it’s not the greatness car ever made but it was original it was different. Today we have every vehicle trying to be the same as the other and not have anything different, they all fit in the same mold, only try to make it more appealing with the looks.

We develop people that are dependent on leaders instead of being able to make decisions on their own and take a hold of their calling. The beauty of unity without a dominant leader is the greatest inspiration. Yes there needs to be a vision and someone that leads that but unless everyone is on-board that’s when they own the ministry. Jesus and the twelve disciples are the greatest example. When He ascended to heaven His ministry did not die down and went no-where, but that was the beginning of his ministry, and it revolutionized the world. When people are spoon fed the moment the leader leaves, they dismantle because there was never a true ownership of what they were doing as a team.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24 ESV)”

Obedience to God makes it possible for us to discover our purpose in life. God sets our destiny and we discover our destiny by the known will of God.

Obedience produces greater intimacy with God. Those who obey Him are closer to Him, they share His wisdom and receive His favor (Isa 66:2)

Obedience lays a foundation of godly character in our lives. Those who build their lives on obedience to God have sure foundation during the storms of life (Matt. 7:24-27)

Obedience allows God to form Christ in us. By submitting to God’s work in us, we become more like Jesus, and the more we become like Jesus the more we live for the sake of others. (Col. 1:21-29)

Obedience gives God great glory and us great satisfaction. The more we find our satisfaction in God, the more He finds His glory in us. (John 10:10)

What hardships have come your way because you follow Christ? How have I benefited from following Christ?

Deeper study
Matthew 7:21-27

“With all my heart I try to obey You” Psalm 119:10

Obedience to God is an act of gratitude, not servitude. Many Christians worry about the obedience to God. They feel like they need to know the in’s and out’s of their obedience task.

But God’s concern for us is our joyful willingness to obey. If we truly trust in Him and obey Him wholeheartedly, He will answer. If we worry about the person who we will marry, or the right career choice, this is not obedience, we shouldn’t be worried, because there are a few more important things.

Do you want to know the will of God for you life so you can decide if you like it or not? Or do you want to know so you can please God and obey Him? DO you tend to say to God, I’ll give you such and such if you do so and so?

Or are you prepared to commit to obey His will, even without knowing what it is? How are you going to obey?

Deeper study

Psalm 119:9-16

Key Verse

“if you love me, you will keep my commandments” John 14:15

I am to give my complete devotion to God. When I say ‘I love Jesus’ I am to open my heart to Him, holding back nothing, confessing everything – weaknesses, dreams, longings and fears.

I have to constantly overcome the temptations to default to my sinful nature, because I am born in sin, but when I give my life to Christ I am a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.

Pressure to give in and to compromise can come from the culture, TV, music, friends and even family.
Jesus wants me to love Him and He wants to give me strength to withstand all the temptations.
The question is:

Do I love Jesus? Then, am I obeying His commandments?
Check your heart.

Deeper study
1 John 2:3-6

Assisted Bible study for men from (Men of Integrity)

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION - be generous with appropriate hugs, pats on the back, high fives, and kind gestures. Let small actions demonstrate your love.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER – clip cartoons, send funny e-cards, or humorous stories. Show that you are human, silly, and willing to lighten up!

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE – a brief, hand written note may be remembered for a lifetime and may even change someone’s life.

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT – a simple and sincere “I appreciate you” or “You did a super job” can make someone’s day.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOR – every day, go out of your way to do (or say) something kind.

THE GIFT OF AUTHENTICITY – Your hurts, disappointments, and your hopes and dreams. Value and build authentic relationships and show you can be trusted.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION - the easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

“Are there ways to encourage the generations to work together?” “What is the best way to ensure that all age groups feel included and important to the mission of the church?”

1. Talk to them
It’s surprising how much time we can spend trying to figure out how to engage a certain group, young parents, “senior saints” and especially the younger generation…all without actually talking to them. It’s amazing what you can learn when you ask questions and let them have input.

2. Include them
Building from point one, including a variety of age groups on your planning committee, worship committee, or any other committee will create a deeper bond and investment on their part, which is really what you are after.

3. Invite them
Make it a point to personally invite people of every age group to your events. Don’t assume because they read it in the bulletin or see it on the big screen they will feel welcome. However, if you actually tell them you would love to have them at your next event, and even ask them to help; you may be surprised at the response.

4. Connect them
Consider this the buddy system for your church. When you invite someone new to help or attend an event, plan ahead and connect them with someone of a similar age group, season of life, or interest level. This may sound like a lot of effort on your part, but it will be worth it. A simple introduction can get people talking and feeling like they belong.

5. Affirm them
No matter how old or young we are, we need affirmation that our contributions are valuable. Be sure each person you talk to knows how important they are to your ministry and why you would love to see them get more involved. Say things like, “Your wisdom will be a special blessing to the young families.” OR “I appreciate the passion and energy you bring!” Being specific and personal lets them know you are sincere.

6. Train them
Training communicates value to your volunteers. It shows them you value their gifts enough to help them grow; and it shows you value their role in the church. Don’t make the mistake of assuming the older generation knows what they are doing, or that the younger one doesn’t.

7. Release them
Let each person serve from their own unique gifts, experience, and style. Recognize that you may approach things differently than someone from a different generation. That does not mean you are right and they are wrong! Have grace toward them, certainly correcting when necessary, but allow for generational differences and welcome the fresh, unique flair they bring to your ministry.

http://www.churchvolunteerdaily.com/?p=2288

* Have a humble heart
A heart that seeks God’s glory, and that completely depends upon and trusts in His Sovereignty, is a very powerful tool in His hands. It is also the secret of a profoundly blessed life! Leaders whose foundation of leadership is a reckless trust in the guidance, power, and resources of God can get unbelievable things accomplished – because God gets all the credit.

* Take action
A propensity to action makes the difference between little or no impact – and great impact! Many people have great ideas and tremendous insights and visions. However, very few people actually put any action to their ideas; so those few “doers” are the ones that change the world and impact people’s lives.

*Avoid negativity
Negativity can suck the life out of great leaders. It is extremely important that we have people engaged in our lives who encourage us. It is equally important that we limit our exposure to negativity. There are many negative realities in our leadership worlds, no doubt about it. However, leaders who stare at negativity and the wide range of obstacles in their way, or allow others to focus on the negative, will soon run out of visionary gas and pull off of the road to success.

* Don’t make money an excuse
God’s work, done God’s way, for God’s glory, will never lack God’s resources. This is critical to remember in today’s economy. People give sacrificially to vision while they refuse to give casually to need.

These steps are foundational for serving in such a way that lives are changed and God’s vision is accomplished.

http://www.churchvolunteerdaily.com/daily/leading-volunteers/guest-post-4-steps-to-service-that-changes-lives/?mqsc=E2484195

Do you not know that God is an eternal self-existent Being; that to say he loves now, is, in fact, to say he always did love, since with God there is no past, and can be no future. What we call past, present and future, He wraps in one eternal NOW. And if you say He loves you now, you say he loved yesterday; he loved in the past eternity; and he will love forever; for now with God is past, present and future. Christ’s love is the sun and our love is the moonlight, which we are able to give forth because the sun has looked upon us.

“Young men, do not be too confident in your own judgment. Stop being so sure that you are always right, and others wrong. Don’t trust your own opinion, when you find it contrary to that of older men, and especially to that of your own parents. Age gives experience, and therefore deserves respect. “

2. Love of Pleasure

“Youth is the time when our passions are strongest—and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is the time when we have generally our most health and strength: death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems to be everything… ‘I serve lusts and pleasures’, that is the true answer many a young man should give, if asked, ‘Whose servant are you?’”

3. Thoughtlessness

“Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. Men will not consider, will not look ahead, will not look around them, will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present days, and wake up to find they are damned for a lack of thinking. Young men, none are in more danger of this than yourselves. You know little of the perils around you, and so you are careless how you walk. You hate the trouble of serious, quiet thinking, and so you make wrong decisions and bring upon yourselves much sorrow.”

4. Contempt of Religion

“This also is one of your special dangers. I always observe that none pay so little outward respect to Christianity as young men. None take so little part in our services, when they are present at them—use Bibles so little—sing so little—listen to preaching so little. None are so generally absent at prayer meetings, Bible Studies, and all other weekday helps to the soul. Young men seem to think they do not need these things—they may be good for women and old men, but not for them. They appear ashamed of seeming to care about their souls: one would almost fancy they considered it a disgrace to go to heaven at all.”

5. Fear of Man’s Opinion

“It is terrible to observe the power which the fear of man has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide. What others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too. There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep, they follow a leader. If it was the fashion of the day to be Roman Catholics, they would be Roman Catholics, if it was to be Islamic, they would be Islamic. They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God.”

~ J.C. Ryle

The book of Proverbs is about wisdom. Wisdom is very beneficial. It results in favor and blessing and success in this life and ultimately eternal success in the Life-To-Come! We want more and more wisdom! Foolishness is the opposite of wisdom. Foolishness is ignoring God’s wise principles and results in harm and loss, and perhaps even eternal loss. We don’t want to be foolish!

Things That Are Better Than Money

19:1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. Money is a good thing, but there are things that are better than having a lot of money – like good character and personal integrity. Why? God is a Person. The nature of this Supreme Person is of the highest integrity. He has supremely good character. He is morally perfect. He is completely righteous. There is nothing wrong about Him or what He does, even in the least little degree. Therefore the Lord appreciates men and women who live according to high moral standards. He approves of and rewards those who don’t cut ethical corners. And the Lord disapproves of and is not pleased with and will punish those who don’t know the truth and don’t speak the truth; who defy what is right; who say perverse and twisted things. So, when you are facing a situation where you have to choose money, but you are being asked to compromise righteous standards – it is much better to reject wealth and earthly success and maintain your integrity.

19:22 reinforces this same truth. What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar. From the world’s perspective, what is desirable in a man is worldly success – money, wealth, power, influence; to be thought well of by his society. But, from God’s perspective, what is desirable in a man is none of these things. What the Lord considers desirable is a man’s chesed – his love; his kindness; his gracious, loving attitude toward God and his fellow man. Chesed for God is expressed by knowing the Three-In-One God and obeying Him and serving Him loyally. Toward man, chesed is expressed by caring for others; by meeting their needs; trying to do good things for them, helping them reach their potential as those made in the image of God and potential heirs of eternal life. And, what the Lord considers desirable in us He encourages and rewards. Chesed – kindness and love for God and man, and honesty are so much more beneficial and so much better and so much more lasting than money or worldly success!

The Benefits Of Self-Control

19:11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

19:19 A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

Human nature has been damaged by the Fall. One of the ways human nature has been damaged is by the loss of self-control. Our emotions are not always under our control, like they were designed to be. Anger is a legitimate emotion (be angry but don’t sin). Anger is appropriate when confronted by injustice. Anger can motivate us to take a firm stand; to forcefully express the truth. But, it is easy for fallen human beings to lose control of our anger; to give into anger and say and do things that are over the top. When we don’t control our anger, and it controls us, we will say and do things that are not measured, not appropriate, and are destructive to others and to ourselves.

We must learn how to control our anger; to calmly and rationally analyze a situation, and get all the facts, before we react in anger and then find out we were wrong – we didn’t really understand the situation. It wasn’t right to get angry. And, even when someone is wrong, when some sin has been committed, some injustice has taken place, responding with anger may not be the right response. It may be best to calmly explain to the person what they did wrong, and give suggestions how they can do better the next time; or, it might be best to overlook their offense altogether.

As they mature, most people will learn how to control their tempers – but a few won’t. Someone who won’t learn how to control his temper, who gives into rage again and again, is best to be avoided.

How To Deal With Those In Power

19:12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. We don’t live under the authority of kings, but we still have to deal with those who are in positions of authority. Since those in positions of authority may be able to help us or harm us, if possible, we should try to cultivate a good relationship with them, and try not to annoy them. Be respectful when dealing with people like police and judges and IRS agents. And, if an earthly king can harm us or help us, how much more can the King of Kings harm or help? So, get on His good side! And, how do you get on His good side? By coming to Him on His terms – by repentance, giving our loyalty to Him; by salvation through faith in Messiah Yeshua; by righteousness, obedience, service, sacrifice.

The Benefits Of Good Family Relations

19:13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. Living in a fallen world is not easy. Life is a struggle. The workplace can be very hard. The home and the family should be a refuge from the storm, a place of peace and tranquility. To make home and family the place it should be, parents should love their children and train then to fear the Lord and do what is right, so that they become responsible, mature adults. Children should be good and honor their parents.

A foolish child who ignores or rejects God’s wise principles ruins the life of his parents. He diminishes their peace and their happiness. Parents, do what you can to ensure that your child becomes wise! Teach them the fear of God, the importance of the spiritual disciplines, the value of good character, the emptiness of the world. Even if parents do all these things, there is no guarantee that their child will turn out to be wise. But, at least the parents have the comfort of knowing they have done everything that they could.

Foolish children are a source of grief in the family. So is a difficult, unhappy wife, who won’t try hard enough to get along with her husband. She doesn’t know when to fight and when not to; when to overlook something and let it go and when to fight for something that is truly important. And so she constantly opposes her husband and makes him miserable. And, an unhappy husband is not good for the wife and children.

Wives, learn how and when to pick your fights. Try hard to make your husband happy, not miserable. Try and get along with him. Try to have a good attitude about him. Try to be grateful for the things he is and does for you, and not complain about his short-comings. You and your family will be happier and better off, and the Lord will bless you for it!

19:14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. By working hard and saving and investing wisely, parents may be able to give their children money and a house, but they can’t produce a prudent wife for their son. That is something that the Lord does – creating a wise woman and bringing about the circumstances so that she joins herself to your son’s life. So, if you want a nice inheritance, try to be born to industrious parents. And if you want a wise wife (and you want a prudent woman who knows the Lord and understands His wise principles), become a wise man whom she will be attracted to and want to marry!

19:26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away is a shameful and disgraceful son. Parents start off so much bigger and stronger than their children. By the time a teenage male is 14 or 15, he may be bigger and stronger than his parents. He must not misuse his superior size and strength, and physically fight with his parents. He must still honor them. A young man who attacks his parents is attacking God’s order. He rebels his superiors – the ones whom the Lord used to give him life, the ones whom he is commanded to honor throughout life. And, he rebels against God who designed the family, and gives life through parents, and raises children through the supervision of parents.

The Importance Of Hard Work

19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger.

19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, but will not even bring it back to his mouth.

Laziness is very destructive to the lazy person and to his family. Since the disaster in the Garden of Eden it is God’s will for us to work and work hard. The Lord told Adam: Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. By the sweat of your face you will eat bread. The hard worker obeys God. And he improves his character. He learns responsibility and discipline. And, his needs are met. The person who works generally has enough to meet his needs. The lazy person disobeys God. And he has poor character. He is irresponsible and undisciplined. He may not be able to support himself and can’t support his family. Make a decision to work hard throughout your life – in school, with your homework; with your job, with your family life. Work hard serving the Lord. You will be much better off for it!

The Benefits Of Obedience

One of the most basic principles in this God-designed moral universe in which we live is that obedience to God results in blessing and gain; disobedience results in punishment and loss. Therefore, if we are wise, we will want to be obedient! To be obedient, first we need to know exactly what the Lord wants from us. Then, we need to closely pay attention in order to make sure that we are being obedient.

19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. Do you know God’s instructions for you, and are you obeying them? Are you doing what the Lord has commanded you to do? Now that the Messiah has come, are you fulfilling the requirements of Messiah’s New Covenant? Are you doing the right things? Pursuing holiness? Are you separating yourself from the world? Are you serving the Lord? He commanded us to love Him with everything that we are and have. Are you being obedient to the greatest commandment? Are you putting God first like He has commanded? Or, are you careless, sloppy, about what God has instructed you to do?

19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. When we fear the Lord, it means that we respect the One who is worthy of our respect. That respect results in obedience. We give the Creator the obedience that the Creator deserves from His creatures. When we fear the Lord, it means that we have ended our participation in the great rebellion against Him that started with the fallen angels and which humanity has joined. When we end our rebellion against the King of the universe, He is able to pardon all of our rebellious acts, forgive us, and restore us to life. When we have been restored to life; when we know that we will live forever, we will experience peace. We can go to sleep knowing that our lives are in the Lord’s hands. Our days and nights are under His control. Our lives, our deaths, our time in this world is part of the rulership of the King. We can have peace, knowing that human beings can harm us; men can kill us, but not thwart the will of God for us, nor prevent us from living forever!

The Importance Of Correction

19:18 Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death. We are born into this world ignorant and foolish. We lack wisdom and judgment. It is the responsibility of parents to know the Three-in-One God, to know the truth about God, and give sound teaching and good advice to their children. It is the responsibility of parents to build good spiritual habits and disciplines into the lives of their children, like reading the Bible, praying, being part of a New Covenant community, serving the Lord withing the community and bringing the Good News to those without. And, when their children wander away from that good teaching and sound advice, it is the responsibility of parents to discipline and correct their children and restore them to the place they should be. If parents won’t do this, they are abandoning their children to a godless and corrupt society; they are throwing their children to the wolves.

19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. If we are smart, we will be willing to give and receive good advice, sound teaching, discipline and correction. That will help us know and yield to God’s principles He built into the universe. That will make us wise for the rest of our days. And, practicing wisdom brings many benefits.

19:25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, but reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge. Know how to properly measure the level of correction you give. Know who you are trying to correct. Not all people need the same amount of discipline and correction. The scoffer is someone who makes fun of God and the Word of God. He is hardened in his foolishness. He may need a very strong corrective response. A person who has some wisdom and understanding, but who made a mistake, will likely need a much gentler response. Because he is inclined to truth, just a gentle word will help see where he made a mistake.

19:27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. In a world in which darkness covers the Earth, and deep darkness has engulfed the peoples of the world, it is not hard to leave the light and truth and wander into confusion and error. The human heart is easily deceived. None of us can afford to think that we can’t stray; that we will never be in need of correction. When the great Simon Peter made a serious mistake, and stopped eating with the new Gentile Christians, Peter listened to Paul when Paul corrected him. If Peter could listen to correction, so can we.

Understanding And Accepting God’s Sovereignty

19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand. We can think about what we want to do with our lives, plan out the course of our lives according to our desires, but the reality is that we are not in charge. We are not in control. Control is an illusion. The King of the universe is in control. His thoughts for us, His plans for our life will be fulfilled. Therefore, just as the wise man prays: may Your will, not my will, be done – he also prays: may my thoughts and plans for my life reflect Your thoughts and plans for my life. May my thoughts be open to Your thoughts. Give me your thoughts O Lord! And, when things don’t work out the way he planed (like Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt), the wise man considers whether this new development might be the plan of God for him. And, he calms himself and experiences peace by yielding to sovereignty and the plan of God.

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I got this from  Rabbi Lauren and I had to post this here cause I think is so powerful what he is speaking here.  I really love what he is doing at Congregation Shema [http://www.shema.com/]