How God Measures Success

I have been reading a book called "Experiencing Leadershift" by Don Cousins. In chapter 3 called "The Success Heresy" he asks and answers the question "How God Measures Success? I thought I would share some of what ministered to me. Don asks four questions every believer should be asking themselves; Question 1: Are you being faithful? In the parable of the Talents in Matthew Chapter 25 each servant was given Talents from the Master and were held accountable to what they did with what they were given. So, the first dimension of faithfulness is knowing what has God given you. This could be in the form of natural talents, material assets, educational training, relationships, passions, and anything else. This list also includes spiritual gifts that He has given you. Once you understand what God has given you (natural and spiritual talents and gifts), they are then to be invested into The Kingdom. Question 2: Are you bearing Fruit? Jesus said, "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so be My disciples" (John 15:8). He also told us that God prunes every fruit-bearing branch "that is my bear more fruit" (John 15:2). God is into fruit... But often times (as Don Cousins points out) we see fruit as represented by numbers (how much and how many). In church we see nickels and noses (budgets and people). But if we understand fruit as coming from the Holy Spirit then we are drawn to Galatians 5:22-23 to find our answer to Question 2. So read this list and ask yourself the Question 2 again; "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. " Question 3: Are you fulfilled? Is your life, is your ministry, making you full? Full of what? Joy! Jesus continued in John 15:11 to tell His disciples "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Is your life full of Joy? If not remember that is what God has and wants for you as you serve Him. Question 4: Are you making God famous? This is the bottom line, the ultimate measure of your life and ministry. Is God becoming famous through you? "f anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. " 1 Peter 4:11 While numbers in our culture is the benchmark of success I agree with Don Cousins that God has other more important ways to evaluate our lives. If you want more details on these four questions I suggest you get Don Cousins book "Experiencing Leadershift."

Christopher Laurie In His Presence

July 24, 2008

I just found out that Christopher Laurie was killed in a car accident this morning.
Below is the information from http://www.harvest.org/

Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, died this morning in a car accident in Riverside. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Stella, as well as his brother Jonathan. Christopher and his wife are expecting another daughter in November.

Memorial plans for Christopher are pending. More information will be posted to the Harvest website at www.harvest.org as details become available.

A Joyful Life With Christ

Enjoy your relationship with Jesus Christ each and every day! While we all struggle with our time spent with Him (not enough), the normal response is to feel guilty, discouraged, and defeated. But if we understand His love for us, and how He is for us and not against us it will change our motivation to spend more time with Him. Romans 8:31-35 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For example: When you think of your favorite activity (or something you really enjoy) you don’t need to feel guilty or discouraged when you don’t do it. You just need to remember how good it is to motivate you to do it again. When you are enjoying The Lord, you want more! So how do we enjoy The Lord? Well, first we need to remember Romans 8:1 (He does not condemn us) when we are struggling. And then remember How much He loves us (Romans 8:35). This is what opens the door to real joy (that is, reflecting upon His love and concern for us). Then, when we do spend time with Him we have a real commitment of love and devotion for Him…Thus causing real Joy! Really this is moving from a heart that is motivated by guilt or shame to one of love and joy… Hope that ministers to you in your busy schedule this week!