It's What's In Your Heart that Counts

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Genesis 48:1–49:33
Matthew 15:29–16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

It doesn't take long as we read the Bible before we realize that God cares deeply about our hearts. Over and over the Scriptures make it clear that God doesn't simply care about what we do – He is very concerned about what's going on in our heart when we do it.

Our words and actions can allow us to pretend to be something that we are not. Our hearts, if they were fully exposed, would reveal precisely who we are.

That's why God likes looking beyond our actions and into our hearts. He wants to know who we really are.

1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"

Our verse for the day says that we should guard our hearts. We should keep the impure out and only dwell on the good and holy. We should spend much time in God's Word so that it begins to change our thinking.

Why? Because we tend to act like who we really are. Our words and actions will tend to be consistent with what we are dwelling on in our innermost being.

Do you want to be more like Jesus? Do you want to experience God's blessings? Then focus on getting your heart right. Your actions will follow.

The Power of an Encouraging Word

I came to realize just how powerful an encouraging word is when I started running.

I usually hit the pavement about 3-5 times a week and put in training runs. Just me and the road ... with my phone and running app that logs my miles.

Periodically, I've tried to push it and do some sprints. I've also tried to see how quickly I can run a mile or even a 5K (3.1 miles) during my training runs.

Yet, when the discomfort of the run begins to set in, my brain begins to yell at my body to slow down. To keep from slowing down, I have to engage in some mental warfare. I force my mind to tell my mind (confusing, huh?) that I'm not stopping. Running isn't simply a physical sport. There is a huge mental aspect to it.

On the other hand, I've enjoyed running in quite a few races. That is an entirely different story. My best times have occurred in races.

In fact, it's generally understood that you can take a minute or more off of your average training pace when you run in a race. So, if I was training at a 10 minute per mile pace for 3 miles, I would probably run a 5K race (3.1 miles) at a 9 minute pace. Races are almost always faster than training paces.

Do you know how that's possible? There's still the mental warfare that takes place in training runs. But, during races, there's one more huge motivator: the crowds!!!

Something happens when there are men and women, boys and girls along the race route who are watching your progress and cheering you on. Their encouragement enables the runners to push themselves harder than they were able to push themselves when they were training by themselves. The people along the race routes and their encouraging cheers are priceless to runners. We listen to those words and feast on them as we continue on in the race.

Encouraging words are powerful. You and I have the ability to cheer others on as they go about their days. We have the ability to help them perform much better than they would on their own ... simply by generously giving words of encouragement.

Do you encourage others? It would seem that our narcissistic society, where folks spend more time thinking of themselves than others, causes us to rarely ever give words of encouragement. We have the power to cheer others on to better achievements and yet we fail to do so for fear that they would get the limelight as we sit in the shadows.

Realize that you have the ability to spur others on to greater achievements. Realize that you may be the one that God could use to encourage someone who He could use greatly.

In fact, what would it be like if our churches were filled with a community of men, women, boys and girls who lavished words of encouragement upon each other?! I'd love to find out!

Let me suggest an assignment for you: For the next 24 hours, try to find something encouraging to say to everyone (or virtually everyone) you meet. See how it changes them ... and you!

Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Translation)
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

Leadership: The power of motivation!

One basic human longing is to be a part of something that makes us feel good about ourselves. Whether we are bragging about "our" team winning or "our" church's size or ministries or "our" business' success, we love to associate ourselves with something that gives us a sense of worth and satisfaction.

A leader who can tap into that desire will get things done! They will be the leaders who do great things for God and His Kingdom. (Of course, I am making these statements from the "mankind" point of view. Followers of Jesus realize that if God is not in a project, then those who build do so in vain.)

In Exodus 35-36, we have a perfect illustration of this truth:

In Exodus 35:30 - 36:1, Moses stands before the massive Israelite nation. He tells them that because God desires to dwell among them, they must build a tabernacle. Moses does not simply tell the people what needs to happen. He makes it clear that the best of the best will be overseeing the job and (implied) it will be a success that they all will be able to celebrate. 

Exodus 35:30 - 36:1 (New Living Translation)

"Then Moses told the people of Israel, 'The LORD has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the LORD has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The LORD has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers. The LORD has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded.'"

We can safely suspect that the Israelites thought, "When the task is completed, I can know that I had a part in it. How can I help!?!?"

As Moses presented this compelling vision to the people, they bought into it. They got excited about it. 

But this wasn't the extent of Moses' leadership in this matter. He also focused on helping the skilled labor experience nothing short of success. He made certain that they had everything they needed to succeed.

Exodus 36:2-3a (New Living Translation)

"So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the LORD and were eager to get to work. Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary."

We shouldn't be surprised that in this environment, the people got excited! They knew this project had a great chance of success and they wanted to be a part of it. So, they gave ... and they gave ... and they gave! 

This is the natural result when people have been properly motivated by their leader.

Exodus 36:3b-7 (New Living Translation)

"But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning. Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. They went to Moses and reported, 'The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the LORD has commanded us to do!' So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: 'Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!' So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project."

The leader's motivation

The Bible is not a leadership manual (or a science book, or a history book, etc.). It is ultimately a book on redemption - 1) God creating mankind perfect, 2) mankind falling into sin and away from God and 3) God actively working to bring mankind back into fellowship with Him.

Yet, when the Bible speaks on other peripheral matters, it speaks authoritatively. 

I am really enjoying my daily encounters with God's Word as I look for leadership lessons. Whether we are a parent, a boss, a pastor, a co-worker, a student, etc., if at any time during our day we influence others, then we are leaders. These Bible lessons become extremely relevant.

Just one of the many principles I saw in my Bible reading this morning (Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21) was this:

There will be times when we are leading that others will sing our praises. Don't get caught up in that! Don't lead to get applause. That is a horrible motivation for leading!

Continue on with your responsibilities motivated by a love for those you lead. Make sure that you stay focused upon leading for the betterment of those who follow you. Why? Because there may be times when your biggest fans become your arch enemies who cry out for your blood.

If you lead to get applause, you will fall apart when attacked. But, if you lead because you love those who follow you and you desire what is best for them, you will find it easier to continue on even when folks turn on you.

Here is the example of Jesus:

Others were singing Jesus' praises!
Matthew 21:8-11 (New Living Translation)
"Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
'Praise for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!'
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. 'Who is this?' they asked. And the crowds replied, 'It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'"

Jesus genuinely cared for those He came to save.
Matthew 23:37 (New Living Translation)
Jesus: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me."

Many in the crowds turned on Jesus!
Matthew 27:22-23 (New Living Translation)
"Pilate responded, 'Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?'
They shouted back, 'Crucify him!'
'Why?' Pilate demanded. 'What crime has he committed?'
But the mob roared even louder, 'Crucify him!'"

Your motivation for leading is absolutely essential. If you lead because you enjoy applause, you'll cave when it gets tough. You'll get hurt and then angry and begin making harmful decisions.

But, if you lead because you genuinely care for those under your authority, you may find the strength to carry on when things get really tough. Jesus has been there. He knows what it's like. When times get tough, call on Him to help you through it. He's 'been there, done that.'

Leaders who inspire

As I continue to look at the Bible through leadership lenses, I am amazed at what I see! In this morning’s Bible reading (Exodus 25-26), I read the text where God gave Moses some of the instructions for building the Tabernacle and a few of the pieces of furniture.

Ordinarily I would have thought, “Well, I’m not planning to build a full-size Tabernacle anytime soon so how is this relevant?” Or, if I had a little more spiritual insight, I would have looked for the goldmine of spiritual truth embedded in the specifics of how the Tabernacle was assembled.

As I read through this story with leadership glasses, I saw some pretty relevant leadership principles! I’ll focus on only one of them.

Leadership is not only influence – it is also the ability to inspire others to do things they might not do on their own. Left to themselves, many folks have the ability to get things done but lack the desire or direction to use their gifts to accomplish worthy tasks. So, it is left to the leader to inspire and motivate those under their authority to use their God-given gifts.

We see in the text that God gave Moses clear instruction regarding what materials to use and the specific dimensions for the construction of the Tabernacle. Yet, God didn’t want Moses to do it. God told Moses to get the people to do the task.

As Moses took notes, he realized that he had a major task ahead. He would need to inspire the Israelites to give of their wealth for this building project and then use their skills to build it.

Exodus 25:1-2 (New Living Translation)
“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings. Accept the contributions from all whose hearts are moved to offer them.’”

Exodus 25:8 (New Living Translation)
The Lord told Moses: “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.”

There are many different ways that we can motivate others to give and work. I have been in leadership positions in a secular workplace and know the power of the dollar. When I held someone’s livelihood in my hand, I knew that I had more than sufficient ability to get my employees to do what I expected.

Yet, Moses didn’t hold the Israelites’ paycheck in his hand. They could easily have turned around and gone back to Egypt leaving him, a leader, without any followers.

He couldn’t simply tell the Israelites what to do and expect them to comply. He needed to find a way to present God’s instructions in a way that would inspire them to give and work.

How do you motivate others? Whether you’re a parent or boss, pastor or non-profit organizer, how do you get others to perform?

Do those under your leadership feel forced to comply with your demands or do they follow because you inspire them? Leading by inspiring folks is a little more difficult because it requires the leader to be creative. But, it creates a much healthier environment and enables folks to perform at a much higher level.

Sermon (video): Preparing for Heaven's Award Ceremony (Matthew 6:19-24)

When we get saved, we are called in that moment to obey our Lord Jesus for the rest of our days. Yet, one question that may arise is in regard to what our motivation for obeying is.

Do we obey Jesus simply because we have to? Does Jesus give us an added incentive for obeying Him? Is it wrong to be at least partially motivated by promised rewards for our obedience?

Click here to listen to this sermon explain what it means to lay up treasures in Heaven.