Example

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
I praise you for remembering me in everything
and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you

Observation
• You are the only true Christ follower someone knows.

• Look for someone to mentor in the faith.

• Let your walk match your talk.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the people who have been an example to me of faith.

Help me today to pass on the faith with integrity, compassion and intentionality.
Help me to model faithfulness and joyfulness.

I pray that someone will be impacted by my life today.
Amen! Amen! Amen!

Run to Get the Prize

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last,
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;
I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Observation
• Winning in life requires pursuing God's purpose for your life.

• Run with daily disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and service.

• Practice what you preach.

Prayer
Father, I thank you for giving me a purpose and plan for my life.

Help me run the race set before me.
Help me to practice what I preach.
Help me to not get distracted by temptations or trails.

I will stay the course and not get sidetracked.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

Growing Forward

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Reflection on past accomplishments or even past disappointments can provide some benefit to every pastor or leader. However, if a pastor or leader begins to live only in their past accomplishments they will miss opportunities and possibilities before them. In addition, the person who is only looking back will become ineffective and irrelevant to the current and future generation.

“Everyone enjoys being inspired. But here’s the truth when it comes to personal growth: Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.” John Maxwell

In Genesis 12, God spoke to Abram about growing forward. He outlined a number of things Abram would need to release in order to for him to experience growing forward. This wasn’t an easy decision for Abram, especially at the age of 65, but it was necessary to fulfill God's purposes for his life. It meant leaving and letting go of his country, his community and even his tribe. Abram had to be willing to go to a new land and experience a new dimension of God’s presence, promise, and provision. Fast forward to Hebrews 11:8, which reads, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Growing forward!

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

There are a few ESSENTIALS that have helped me in my growing forward since I began my ministry at the age of 21.

LISTENING: Some of my best growth has come by listening to the words and wisdom of more mature and experienced ministers. Rather than resist the help of others, I have learned the value of listening to ideas, suggestions and insights.
LEARNING: Leaders are learners. This can be accomplished by personal devotions, reading great books, furthering education by attending conferences and connecting with those who are ahead of me in experience and accomplishment. I am determined to never feel I have arrived.
LETTING GO: Releasing rather than rehearsing offenses, failures and missteps is vital in growing forward. If you’ve had a bad experience, grow through it rather than die in it.
LOVING: Love is the greatest attribute of the Holy Spirit a person can display. As the primary expression of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life, love will always take you beyond your current situation. When you love God, love others and even love yourself, you are growing forward.
LEADING: No doubt, being a pastor or leader gives you the greatest opportunity to experience growing forward. Making decisions and leading the way will always take you into new territory.

I am sure if space allowed I could add to the list. My challenge to all of us is to keep growing forward!

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Benjamin Franklin

The Man Who Knows God

Now about food sacrificed to idols:
We know that we all possess knowledge.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.
But the man who loves God is known by God.

Observation
• Divine Love is more important than human knowledge.

• When you love God, you will obtain insights for life.

• Avoid a know-it-all attitude.

Prayer
Gracious Father, I am reassured and strengthened by your unfailing love.
You have watched over me and provided for every need.

I am committed to knowing you in a greater way.
Help me to be a person who loves like you love.

Amen! Amen! Amen!

A Temple of the Holy Spirit

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Observation
• True Followers of Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit.

• God sees you as a treasure, not trash.

• Honor the Lord with your choices and lifestyle.

Prayer
Father, I thank you for see me as a treasure.
I pray that you will again fill me with your Holy Spirit.

Help me to present myself in a way that represents your righteousness.
Help me to filter every decision I make through your Word.
May people see your love and holiness in and through me.

So Be It!

Prove Faithful

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

Now it is required that those who have been given
a trust must prove faithful.

Observation
• The greatest title you can have is, "A Servant of Christ".

• Every day you will be presented with an opportunity to do right.

• Faithfulness is a result of you allowing God to work in and through you.

Prayer
Father, I give you praise for having a plan and purpose for my life.
Thank you for entrusting me with gifts and abilities.

Help me to be genuine and authentic.
Help me to stay the course and not give up or give in to doubt.

I will commit to being faithful to your calling and directives.
I will follow your lead and be committed to your call.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

God's Fellow Workers

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose,
and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

For we are co-workers in God's service;
you are God's field, God's building.

Observation
• There are no real superstars in God's work, only fellow workers.

• You have the potential and gifts to contribute to God's team.

• Seek your affirmation and approval from God first.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for those who have poured into my life.
I thank you for the rewards of faithfulness and diligence.
I rejoice in the opportunities to serve you and declare your love.

I pray for my brothers and sisters who serve with me faithfully.
May the works of our hands be blessed today.

Help me to carry your call through my life.
I give you my head, heart, and heart.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

What God has Prepared

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Observation
• God given hope will give you the courage to press on and not give up.

• The Holy Spirit will make known to you things otherwise not known.

• Remember the best is yet to come.

Prayer
I thank you, Heavenly Father, that my future fulfillment and joy
is not determined by my past pain or disappointments.
I am grateful that the best is yet to come.

Help me to keep keeping on and not give up.
Help me to keep my eyes on the goals you have set before me.

I choose to follow hard after you.
I look forward to seeing greater days.
Amen! Amen! Amen!

It's Our Time to Shine

You may remember the Sunday School song we sang as kids…
"This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."I believe this is the directive for the OMN today. It is our time to Arise and SHINE.
In the powerful Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares, You are the light of the world. He follows that pronouncement with this commanding instruction, …let your light shine before others. What perfect words for us in our dark and dim world. Our world could use some light!

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining, they just shine. Dwight L. Moody

During our recent 2017 Network Summit, I encouraged 4 ways as ministers we can keep our lives shining brightly.

WE SHINE OUT OF CONNECTION: 2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB) …we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.” We shine as bright as our relationship with the ultimate light of the world, Jesus. Building time into our lives to keep the connection healthy and vibrant must be a priority.
WE SHINE OUT OF CONVICTION: Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly…Committing to godly values and virtues will keep your light bright in an otherwise dim, drab and dark world. It is His righteousness, not my self-righteousness that keeps the light bright in my attitudes and actions.
WE SHINE OUT OF COURAGE: Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John…that these men had been with Jesus. We get our SHINE ON…when we take bold and big steps of faith: speaking up, standing out, staying the course, starting something new or sharing your talent or treasure. People will “see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father.” It takes faith and confidence to do this daily.
WE SHINE OUT OF COMPASSION: Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another…Acts of compassion draw people, not creeds. It is acts of kindness, it is acts of help that make us shine bright. It can be heard in our tone of voice and seen in our willingness to listen and lend a hand. Compassion not condemnation will make your light shine brightly.

Renown British Journalist, Malcolm Muggerridge, was asked once in a television interview, “What do you want most out of life?” His response was simple but profound, “I should like my life to shine…”
IT IS OUR TIME TO SHINE!

The Power of God

For Christ did not send me to baptize,
but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom,
lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

For the message of the cross is foolishness
to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God.

Observation
• Embracing the work of the cross of Christ is where true wisdom begins.
• Man's philosophy is no match for God's wisdom.

• God never intended you to live a powerless life.

Prayer
Loving Father, I thank you for the message of the Cross.
I thank you that when in doubt I can look to you for wisdom and direction.

Today I pray that I will live in the power of the cross.
I ask that you will guide and direct me.
I pray for favor and blessing.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

To Him Who is Able

Now to him who is able to establish you
in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ,
in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings
by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him

—  to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Observation
• God is able to do far more than you can think or imagine.

• What was once hidden has now been revealed to us through God's Word.

• Never underestimate your influence as a Christ follower.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to you today with gratitude and thanksgiving.

You again have shown your greatness and goodness in my life.
You have established me and putting me in a significant place.
Thank you for providing me a place of impact and influence.

I will continue to let my life shine for you.
I will choose to positively affect those I meet today.

May Christ be seen in my words and actions.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

Overflow with Hope

May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation
• Hope is a part of God's unchanging character.

• Hope takes you beyond your present circumstances to a blessed future.

• Live expecting something good and favorable things to happen in the days ahead.

Prayer
Father, I thank you for planting in my heart a hope for my future.
Because I know you, I see the present challenges as opportunities for progress.
I am moving forward and not backward.

Your protection, provision, and peace give me hope for the days ahead.
I will choose to live with a spirit of optimism and anticipation.
I will be confident that my future will be brighter than my past.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen!