Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” John 21:20-23, NIV

Peter was worried that John may get more, have more or maybe even be known for more. So, Jesus told Peter not to worry about John. But when Peter retold the story, the rumor mill started.

The lesson: it’s Jesus’ Kingdom. He cares more than I do. He can judge motives and I can’t. He can bring correction that is needed in any situation. He. Doesn’t. Need. My. Help. (In this area). He will take my help in telling others about His Kingdom. He will take my help in training other leaders.

If you just worry about your life and your areas that need growth and development, you will change.

Just worry about you.

• 1/3 of the time is spent showing them I love them.
• 1/3 of the time is spent training them to be like Christ.
• 1.3 of the time is spent praying and begging God that they will honor Him with their lives.

These thirds just become the natural part of our time and days together. It’s not something that I spend hours planning for – it’s just what happens. And, most of the time I find myself praying and begging God in the quiet moments that I look at them in the rear view mirror or as they look into my eyes.

How do you spend the time that you have with your kiddos?

Don’t say, ‘I’m not a good listener.’ Just tell the truth and say, ‘I don’t value what you have to say.’

Ouch!

So often I have the tendency to tell people that I am not a good listener. Like others at times, I like to update my imperfections and sins by giving them a better name.

Instead of not valuing what people have to say at times, I should:

• Remember that another persons feedback can make a good idea a great idea.
• Remember that just listening adds value to others – people love to be heard.
• Remember that a team is compelled by a great vision and strengthened by listening.

What about you? Do you struggle to listen to others at times?

Why do this? Isn’t she only 3? In our home, we believe that building the foundation for our kids future began 10 months before they entered the world. We want them to understand who God is, His plan and purpose for their lives, and how they can best serve Him. One huge part of that will be who you marry. So, we talk about how the Prince treats the Princess to lay the foundation for the future.

If you are not discipling your kids and teaching them about the wisdom they will need for the future now, get busy! Kim’s mom tells us that you only have your kids for 3 periods of 5 years, so use that time wisely. One of ours will be 5 in April. We’re a third of the way there!

How do you disciple your kiddos?

In this debate, most people turn to 1 Chronicles 21 and the story of David taking a census of the people when God told him not to do it. But, why do we neglect all of the places where numbers where recorded as a good or neutral thing. Think about a few:

• The book of Numbers or any other census God commanded in Scripture.
• Was Jesus wrong to have counted the 5,000 & 4,000 (plus women and children) when he miraculously fed people? (Did Jesus really have to count or did He just “know”?) Was He solely focused on the number, or did the number mean something about impact?
• Was Peter wrong to have counted in Acts 1:15 (120 people were present in a meeting) and in 2:41 when 3,000 were saved? Was he solely focused on how great of a speaker he was and the response he could illicit?
• [Insert your own count passage here]

Of course they were not wrong. Numbers have a purpose but they are not the purpose. They CAN BE an expression of good or bad things in the ministry and they can be focused on with impure motives.

Instead of focusing on some people who may have numbers as their “god”, could we focus on how to increase the impact of the church in the culture to reach more people?

Remember, Jesus and Peter counted (or likely knew the count).

Numbers.

Influence.

Money.

Fame.

I love that Scripture leaves no stone unturned in dealing with the issues that we would face. I’m sure that there are lots of guys out there that are just trying to make a name for themselves. But, I think there are a lot more guys out there honestly trying to serve and honor Christ. They may get caught up in the “things” of ministry at times, but don’t we all. The disciples did. Remember this passage:

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James and John (the disciple who Jesus loved) didn’t get it. They were not humble. They wanted places of prominence in His Kingdom. And, as He does in most of our lives, Jesus used it as a teachable moment. His advice: don’t be like the power-hungry Gentiles – be a servant. Instead of building your life, give your life away.

Sometimes, even the good guys get it wrong at times. They still love Christ and desire to serve Him with their lives. And, after course correction like James and John received, they will get it right.

Jesus came to build His Kingdom. Let’s just work at that and let Him decide who will be the greatest. Instead of getting mad at those who have it wrong, let’s pray for course correction, and keep building His Kingdom. After all, we’ll never truly know what we built our lives on until the end. It will all be clear (and likely embarrassing) then.

As I have considered the thought, tithing entered my mind. Many Believers are working towards tithing. I hear people talk about giving 1% more every year until they get to 10%. Honestly, I couldn’t disagree with that strategy more. Consider this:

• Giving 9% is still giving in disobedience.
• Giving 9% is still trusting in your economy over God’s economy.
• Giving 9% is still relying on yourself over God’s Word.
• Giving 9% says I know better than God knows.

But when you give 10%, you open the “floodgates of heaven.”Consider the verse:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

Think about the difference in 1%.

• Giving 10% is giving in obedience.
• Giving 10% trusting in God’s economy over your economy.
• Giving 10% shows that you trust God’s Word.
• Giving 10% says that I have faith to trust God.

1% more makes a big difference.

Jesus was very legalistic. He judged man’s behavior and said that He was the only way to God. He told the rich young ruler that he lacked one thing – to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Interestingly, Jesus did not tell people to do things how they wanted to when they wanted to. He said things like, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).”

At the same time He was full of grace, but grace did not mean that you get to do things your way. His grace meant that He loves you in spite of who you are at times. He wasn’t a Pharisee – He didn’t set a standard to get to Heaven based upon what you do. Yet, even though He had grace, He didn’t lower the standard for holiness. He said: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).”

In our culture today, I hear things like, “God isn’t legalistic about the time I spend with Him.” Or, “I have freedom…” And you are right on one level. God will not send you to Hell because you only read your Bible once this week. And, you, in your freedom can do whatever you please. But that does not mean that you have honored Him. That does not mean that you are living His Words. We have undervalued what He wants in our relationship with Him because we really don’t care about Him and want to live our life the way that fits our desires and schedule.

So, I disagree with what the culture is saying. Jesus was and is legalistic. He set a standard. He asked us to follow after Him and live according to that standard. And, grace leads to living that says because I understand what you did for me, I will willingly surrender every part of my life to You. You can’t work your way to Heaven, but you will be as legalistic about following Him as you are about eating (most eat 3 times per day, even though they do not have to) or watching your favorite TV shows or seeing your favorite new movie. Shouldn’t we be more legalistic about His ways than the things that mean nothing?

Jesus was legalistic but He was not a Pharisee.

There is another huge need in your life: purity. Proverbs 5 is a reminder to avoid the potential relationships that would cause you to fall morally. Two things jumped out at me this morning in the passage.

• Words. Her words “are smoother than oil.” Whether you are male or female, watch your words and the words of others in regard to your purity. Words can put the wrong thoughts into your mind or the minds of others. In the passage, her words were intentionally meant to deceive & capture for immorality. And ladies, don’t get caught up on the “her” in the passage. You can easily replace it with “his” and recognize that there are guys that are attempting to lure you into the same wrong relationship. Guard your heart.

• Steps. Her “steps head straight to Sheol.” Steps imply following. Question: who are you following to closely to that is of the opposite sex? Knowingly or unknowingly, you could be following steps headed straight into a relationship that will cost you your family, job and significant part of your life. Be careful where you walk in relationships with those of the opposite sex.

The health of your relationships is a huge part of your following after Him in 2010. From the earliest point of this year, examine your relationships. Keep your eyes focused on Him, and remember:

For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and He considers all his paths. Proverbs 5:21

¹⁸This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  ²⁰But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream…. (NIV)

Joseph was a righteous man. He was a man who sought after God and kept His commands. But, he was also a humble man. Here’s how we know it – Joseph had every right to get angry and under the law divorce Mary, making a public spectacle of her and her family.

Not Joseph.

After hearing all of the information about the visitation of an angel and the ensuing pregnancy “through the Holy Spirit, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” He left the house that day and reassured her dad – I will not disgrace your family. But he had not made up his mind. Honestly, I think he probably walked home praying, “God, please say something.” He thought it through at least 10,000 times, and “after he had considered this, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.”

Joseph was an awesome man of amazing integrity, humility and compassion. I’m a man (hope that didn’t surprise you) that wants the heart of Joseph. Look at what else Matthew 1 says -

²⁴When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (NIV)

It was the most humbling experience of all – he married a woman that from outside appearances had cheated on him.

God, will you give me the heart, humility and honor of Joseph.