Treating People Right

The more I allow the Hoy Spirit to examine my heart the more I realize that I need a constant re-calibration in the way I view people. It is just too easy to be sinner with people.

Here are a few things the Spirit is teaching me.

1) I am much more arrogant than I realize.

This comes out in my expectations of people.  I have a tendency to expect people to treat me in the way that I think I deserve.  I expect people to live up to my spiritual expectations. When they don't fit into m expectations it is too easy for me to get to thoughts like "why can't they get what I am saying?", "What is their deal?".  Notice how much "me" and "I" is in that! DANG!

Check out Phil. 2:1-11, Rom. 12:3

2) I need to be more thankful for the people that are in my life.

There are some amazing people in my life that have loved me for a long time.  I am always thankful but I do not express that to them enough.  This week I talked with two men who have really loved me well even when things were pretty messed up in my life. There are also so many people whom God is allowing me to walk with and help in their journey.  I do not deserve to have the place in their lives that I have.  They are all a gift of God and they need to hear that from me more!

Check out 1 Thess. 2:19-20, and Phil. 1:3-11

3) I need to verbally praise and encourage people more.

As a leader it is too easy to be more about what people do than who people are.  I can move from one task or thing to next without much stopping and just telling people how much I love them and how well they are doing.  That is pretty bad. People need to hear that they are doing ok, that they are making a difference, that they are loved, that they are appreciated.  They need to hear me, in front of other people, affirm them.

Check out Hebrews 3:13 and Hebrews 10:24, Phil 2:19-30 (Paul is bragging on Timothy)

There is a lot more that He is teaching me.  I really just need more of the Holy Spirit.  I need the kingdom to come in my relationships.

From a Phase to a Lifestyle

Last night I was sharing with some of our student leaders about this “phase” I go through a couple of times of year.  I also told them that I wish that I did not have to repeat the phase but just live it all the time. So I want to encourage you to think about this “phase” for you and challenge you to make it a lifestyle of your heart.  That is what I am praying for me.

So what am I talking about?  Thanks for asking.

I am in a place or phase, spiritually where I feel an overwhelming sense that I can do nothing without God.  I know that sounds so basic, but honestly, it is easy for me not to live that way.  It is easy for me to “do stuff” and even do some of it well in the eyes of the world.  The problem is that going through the motions and doing something well does not mean that there will be any spiritual power in it.

Here is a reality: You and I need the Kingdom of God to come in our lives all the time.   I am NOT talking about experiencing the saving grace of Jesus over and over.  I believe He redeems/saves us once for eternity.  But, I also believe that in our broken world we are prone to get off track from living for the glory of Jesus.  We waste time.  We waste money. We have wrong thoughts.  We hold grudges. We act selfishly. We say stupid things. We make bad decisions. We sin.  So, we need the Kingdom (the rule of Jesus over everything and our submission to Him in everything) to come in all of those areas.

Here is another reality:  There is one way for the Kingdom to come in our lives.  We don’t work it up or manipulate it.  We don’t program it or do impressive things to get the Kingdom.  We beg for it.  We cry for it.  We put the brokenness of our lives on the table and from the depths of who we are ask God to take it over.  When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, one of the first things He said was “say this…Your Kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2).  In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”   The Kingdom comes when our broken, bankrupt, surrendered, needy hearts, understand that there is nothing of any spiritual value possible with out Jesus and in genuine humility, we get down and BEG God for the Kingdom to come.

I really love that sense of neediness before God.  I don’t want it to be a phase I go through for a week or two.  I want to live like that all the time.  So I am inviting you to join me in becoming a life-long beggar for the Kingdom.   Don’t let it be phase.  Make it a lifestyle of your heart.

Desperate,

Doug

Some Random or Not So Random Things I want to Share with Clemson BCM

Been having some random thoughts about Clemson BCM during fall break and thought I would sharing them with you. 1) In case you did not know, Clemson BCM exist to cooperate with God in making multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that God is always moving and that our response is to follow Him. We desire to be a ministry that simply follows what Scripture commands, make disciples in the way Jesus made them. 2) You have what it takes to “do” the above. With the Spirit of God in you, you have everything you need to be a disciple maker, a world changer. Don’t ever let anyone try to convince you otherwise. If you know Jesus and can love people, then you can make disciples of Jesus. 3) I want to see God move in your life and in the life of our ministry. I am not interested in going through the motions of doing stuff. I long to see the evidence of the grace of God (Acts 11). I believe we have all the ingredients but there is so much room for HIM to move. We need to Believe, Pray, Surrender, Obey! 4) Everyone of you should seriously consider spending part or all of a summer serving in missions. There just aren’t very many good excuses not to. There are a bunch of great opportunities at www.goandsend.org 5) Never underestimate spiritual warfare. It is very real and will be disguised in many ways as things like: an argument with a friend, a temptation to a particular sin, choosing to be focused on yourself rather than others, not believing you can effectively tell someone about Jesus…You need to proactively fight (Eph. 6) 6) You are an amazing group of people. I love ya’ll and really do believe in you. You are a gift to Clemson. 2. Timothy 2:2 Doug