Qualified Leaders

 

“An elder must be blameless…”

—Titus 1:6

Anyone who has attended church faithfully for an extended period of time may well have encountered the behavior of a church leader who made you say, “Whaaaat?” Sometimes that exclamatory question is spoken through tears. Church leaders can build up a church. And, church leaders can severely damage, even destroy, a church.

If you’ve followed my posts for very long, you know that I have a very low tolerance for incompetent, unqualified, unholy church leaders. Whether they’re called by the title of pastors, or priests, or elders, or deacons, unqualified church leaders can sometimes inflict great pain on an individual or on a group of individuals. Please let me illustrate my point:

In one church I attended many years ago, I watched a particular young man swagger into church. He had grown up in the church and acted like he owned the place. Though he was well-educated and had a responsible professional position, his arrogance and pomposity always preceded him whenever he entered a room.

I remember thinking, “For the sake of the health of this church, I’m glad he’s not in leadership.” The very next week, he was elected to serve on the Board of Elders. I was gobsmacked.

I wish I could tell you that my dire prediction was wrong. Sadly, working in a sneaky and deceptive manner to achieve his own selfish ambitions, this young man brought about the near destruction of that church.

The qualifications of leaders become critically important to the health of a church. Yet, very few church people even know that the Bible contains specific requirements intended to define qualified church leaders.

In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the Apostle Paul gives instruction to the two pastors he was mentoring: Timothy and Titus. Notice Paul’s words in Titus 1:6-9:

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Taking this list seriously certainly disqualifies a lot of people from serving as leaders. A church should not merely want to fill a slot on its leadership team. Rather, people should ask, “Who among us is most like Jesus?”

In that regard, here’s Paul’s other list as found in 1 Timothy 3:2-13:

Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

My zeal for this subject “burns hot” within me. I want all churches to be healthy. I don’t want unqualified leaders to become instruments of Satan, who always strives to damage the people of God. To prevent Satan from having a foothold into the leadership of a church, we must determine to choose our leaders wisely. The health of our churches depends on it.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, October 26, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Eager to Do Good

 

“…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

—Titus 2:14

Most people are eager to have things in life go their way. Especially in our current society, if you ask people to set aside their own wants and wishes and give themselves wholeheartedly to doing what’s best for others, you will draw a laugh of derision or a sharp retort. Even people, who belong to a generation that sincerely believes it is their responsibility to save the world from the errors of the past, will eventually disclose the fact that there is far more self-agrandizing motivation in what they strive to undertake than they may readily admit.

But once someone realizes the gift of forgiveness that God has given to him or her through God’s one and only Son, Jesus, a new desire grips that one’s heart. The Apostle Paul explains this exciting phenomenon in Titus 2:11-14:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Considering what God has done for us, through His precious Son, causes an eagerness to genuinely do good to arise within the hearts and minds of “Christ’s-ones” (Christians). It comes from the ever-growing understanding of what Jesus has done for us. By the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, God creates within us a desire to repond obediently to Him by serving others.

The bass singer, Tennessee Ernie Ford, made the following gospel song very famous in the 1950s, even among secular people.

Lord, help me live from day to day
In such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to pray
My prayer shall be for—Others.

Refrain: Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.

Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for You
Must needs be done for—Others.

Refrain: Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.

Let "Self" be crucified and slain
And buried deep: and all in vain
May efforts be to rise again,
Unless to live for—Others.

Refrain: Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.

And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,
While thinking still of—Others.

Refrain: Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.

Eager to do good—that’s the new way of living that God has given us because of the outpouring of His love through His precious Son. So, we must look around us this day for opportunities to show God’s love by doing good to others.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, October 23, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Satisfied by God's Love

 

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love…”

—Psalm 90:14

Every day, we who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, find ourselves in God’s classroom. He brings things across our pathway in order to teach us lessons we need to learn. The Psalmist expresses this reality so very well in a prayer recorded in Psalm 90:12, 13b, 14:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

In the midst of the most difficult of lessons, God always shows us His love and compassion. No matter how taxing or frustrating any particular lesson might seem, God consistently treats us as His dearly loved children.

Without fail, God’s love for us triumphs over our difficulty in learning a particular lesson. No matter how we might struggle to learn, God’s love will truly satisfy the needs of our hearts and minds. Therefore, we can rejoice, as we begin another day in the classroom of our loving Father.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, October 22, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Be Reconciled

 

“We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

—2 Corinthians 5:20b

Healing broken relationships is one of the truly most noble endeavors. It doesn’t matter who caused the breech. If a means for reconciliation exists, we must take it. Consider the breech in our relationship with God:

God gave first man, Adam, a perfect world. But Adam wanted more. He believed Satan’s lie that he could be like God without God. So Adam sinned and broke the only rule God had given him. Adam breeched his relationship with God.

We have inherited Adam’s sin and added our own sins to that original offense.

You might think that if anyone was going to try to repair the relationship with God it would be us. We’re the ones who broke the fellowship. Surely we have to be the ones to try to bring about reconciliation.

But no, God made the first move.

The Apostle Paul explains this so elegantly in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

God sent His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our sin and repair the breech in our relationship with God. Then, Christ rose from the grave to give us the gift of victory over death and to grant us eternal life.

We who were totally unrighteous have become righteous in Christ. And more than that, through Christ, God has made us His ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation.

As a new day begins, let us fervently share this good news. And, let us be the reconcilers that God intends us to be.

I urge you, if Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, receive with joy the gift He has given you. For if He is knocking, it means that He has chosen you to belong to Himself.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

New Water for the Wasteland

 

“I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

—Isaiah 43:19

So many people are discouraged because they feel their lives have become dry and useless. Their lives once seemed full of hope and promise. They went about their daily tasks without a thought for the future. But now, it’s like a harsh wind has blown across their lives and turned the fertile garden of their days into a desert wasteland.

If you are one who feels you have lost nearly everything that matters to you, let these words of God, spoken through the Prophet Isaiah, give you hope. Isaiah 43:16-19:

This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Whatever part of your world may have become a desert wasteland will be renewed this day. Why? Because God is doing a new thing. That’s what He has promised! So, turn your back on those past troubles and drink deeply from the streams of living water that God has provided for you.

You may not yet even perceive that something new has come. Nevertheless, God’s promises are certain and true. It’s a new day, a new world. The old is past. The new has come. Embrace God’s new plan with confidence and with a grateful heart. The new will be better than the old.

Even if the dust in your eyes keeps you from seeing what God is doing, plunge your head into the desert stream, wipe the dust out of your eyes, and choose to believe that God’s promise is true. God will reward your faithful hope and expectation.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Becoming an Overcomer

 

“In this world you will have trouble.”

—John 16:33b

Trouble of one kind or another finds its way into virtually everyone’s life. Even if we have lived rather trouble-free lives so far, we can be certain that eventually we will experience trouble in our lives.

• Maybe we’ve lost a loved one to a dreaded disease or accident.
  
  
• Perhaps in a failing economy we’ve lost our jobs or our homes.
  
  
• Maybe our bodies have become assailed by illness.
  
  
• Maybe our marriages have dissolved in spite of every effort we made to preserve it.
  
  
• Perhaps a longtime friendship has become breeched through no fault of our own.
  
  
• Maybe one of our children has rushed down a wrong pathway and become entangled in a mess.
  
  

The list of possible troubles seems endless. The question we all face, no matter what the source of our trouble: “What can we do? How do we recover? Who will come and show us the way out of our troubles?”

Fortunately, God has not only provided a way for us to move out of our trouble, He has provided the perfect person to lead us. Carefully read these words of Jesus, recorded by the Apostle John in John 16:33:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The ability to overcome the trials and troubles of life is found at the feet of Jesus. Not only is He our Savior, Lord, and King, He is our guide to becoming an overcomer.

How can He guide us? Because He has overcome every obstacle the world placed in His way, even the horrible death on a cruel Roman cross of torture.

No matter what trouble may have befallen us, this day we will find peace and the strength to overcome in the tender, loving embrace of Jesus. Let us purpose to allow the Savior open up a pathway to healing and restoration for us today.

Yes, our lives may have changed, the road of our lives may have taken a turn we never expected. But that doesn’t mean we are permanently derailed.

We must allow Jesus to help us embrace our new circumstances. He will provide us with peace in the midst of our trouble. He will guide us to become overcomers. All we need to do is to just place our faith and trust in Him.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, October 19, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Guaranteed Reservation

 

“My Father’s house has many rooms…”

—John 14:2

Have you ever traveled a long distance and finally arrived at a faraway location only to find that the hotel has lost your reservation? Especially if you arrive late a night after a long journey, such an occurrence can seem overwhelming. Here’s one example:

I taught a seminar once in a southern suburb of Boston. Upon arrival, I discovered that my reservation for a handicapped-accessible room had not been honored. The hotel manager made no apology and, in fact had a distinctive, “take it or leave” attitude. This was particularly frustrating because, as one who held the highest level of that particular chain’s frequent traveler program with over 750,000 points, I should have been treated much better.

I struggled through the first night. It was so difficult to get ready in the morning. I almost fell several times. At the seminar, I made a joke about it to the attendees.

At the break, one of the attendees came to me and said that, to his chagrin, the hotel had placed him in a handicapped-accessible room. He would be glad to trade rooms with me.

This man’s kindness made the remaining five days of my stay in that hotel much more pleasant and safe for me.

When traveling a long distance, having a guaranteed reservation that we know will be honored when we arrive is very important. There is one reservation that we who belong to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, can always count upon. The guarantee of our place in heaven fills the minds and hearts of God’s people from time to time. I can remember a gospel chorus we used to sing at Youth for Christ rallies in the 1950s and 1960s:

Heaven is better than this.
Praise God what joy and bliss.
Walking on streets of solid gold,
In that land where we’ll never grow old.
Heaven is better than this.
Praise God what joy and bliss.
I’m glad I'm walkin’ with Jesus down here.
But, heaven is better than,
Heaven is better than,
Heaven is better than this

Yes, once in a while—or maybe if your health has begun to fail even more often—our thoughts turn toward heaven. It is most comforting to know that—through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ—we have a guaranteed reservation in heaven. Notice Jesus’ words, as recorded in John 14:1-3:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

What wonderful news! We have a guaranteed reservation in heaven. Even though most of us hope to be here on earth for many days and years to come, we can take comfort that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare our place in the many-roomed mansion of heaven.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, October 16, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Fruit-bearing Disciples

 

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…”

—John 15:5

Most everyone wants to feel as if he or she has a clear purpose in life.Almost no one wants to give the impression that he or she is facing life in an aimless, rootless, pointless, unfocused way. Even those individuals who relish in describing themselves as “free spirits,” actually cling to that description as their clear purpose in life.

In my career as a fire protection engineer that “clear purpose” was to make certain that buildings had specifically designed fire protection equipment and systems overseen by concerned management that would:

• save lives
  
  
• protect the physical property
  
  
• assure the continued mission of the facility
  
  
• preserve the heritage contained in the facility, and
  
  
• protect the environment.
  
  

As believers in the life-transforming power of the living Lord Jesus Christ, we also have a very clear purpose in life: to become fruit-bearing disciples. Our Savior explains this in John 15:5-8:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Starting with the beginning of this new day, let us abide in Christ by spending time reading His written Word, the Bible, and by talking with Him in prayer. Then, let us proceed through our day conscious of our Savior’s great love for us and equally conscious of our duty to show His love in the way we relate to the people He brings across our pathway.

In so doing, we will abide—or remain—in Him and bring glory to His Name. And, we will become fruit-bearing disciples of the Great King Jesus.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, October 15, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Only Way

 

“I am the way and the truth and the life.”

—John 14:6

In a world of political correctness, we are supposed to maintain a tolerant openness to all religions. We are to accept the concept that all religions equally provide a pathway to God. Even though religions may describe a god very different from the God described in the Bible, our culture insists we are to assume that all religions worship the same god.

But, like it or not—and, frankly, many don’t like it at all—Christianity teaches that the only pathway to a personal, eternal relationship with the Triune God is through His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice how specifically Jesus responds to Thomas’ question in John 14:5-6:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Let us begin this new day grateful that, in His mercy, grace, and overwhelming love, God has revealed to us the way to new life through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—represents the only true God. He is the creator of all things. He is the sustainer of all things. He is the source of all love. He is the source of all peace. He, and He alone, is worthy of our worship, praise, devotion, obedience, and love.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Truly Alive

 

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

—John 11:25

The eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John contains one of the most poignant stories. Jesus’ friend Lazarus is sick and has died.

As Jesus goes to be with Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, He is confronted with mourners and a distraught Martha who says to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

With great compassion, Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again. Martha acknowledges that at the end of the age her brother will rise from the grave. But, Jesus counters with these words recorded in John 11:25-26:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Yes! Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life. Alive within us, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus brings true life into our beings—true life both now and for eternity. Let us joyfully move out into this day with a strong sense of peace, knowing that our Savior has made us truly alive.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

We Are Known

 

“I know my sheep and my sheep know me”

—John 10:14b

When you are somewhere in a large crowd—maybe at a concert or shopping at the mall—don’t you just delight when suddenly you see someone you know? You make an effort to get that one’s attention. The minute he or she recognizes you, a look of joy appears on his or her face.

“I know you! How are you? How’s your family? Oh! This is your daughter? What a beautiful little girl.”

I learned very early in my life that I was considered inferior by many members of the extended family into which I was inserted when my amazing and loving parents adopted me as an infant. Certain adult cousins spoke quite openly about the fact that they believed I was not really a part of the family because I was not born into it. They would often say, “He is not our blood.”

In addition, I was raised in a neighborhood that was mostly devoid of children. The children of the occupants of the nearby houses had grown up and moved away. My only exposure to other children came from very brief encounters each Sunday at church. I was conditioned to live a somewhat solitary existence. By the time I entered kindergarten, a certain social awkwardness was ingrained in me. To this day, I am extremely socially out of step with most other people.

Not surprisingly, in response to my circumstances, as a very young child I created an imaginary world into which I could retreat, especially when I felt the disdain of other people. As my imagination grew and became quite rich in substance and detail, I could quickly and easily escape almost every effort of others to react in a negative way toward me. Frankly, as someone who has made his living as a writer—someone who accumulates knowledge and then shares it with others—my rich imagination has served me well.

Nevertheless, I was, and am, very much an “odd man out.” I remain very socially awkward. Few people relate well to me. I have developed a high level of distrust toward other people. And, not at all without understanding, I have certain longings that will likely never be fulfilled in this life. The principle longing is to be known.

To be known means to be understood, appreciated, accepted, even loved. My intense study of psychology has taught me that every human—except those with the mental illness of sociopathic or psychopathic disorders—has a desire to be known. Most people receive that gift of being known from their family and friends.

Our Savior especially understood how important it is to “know and be known.” Notice His words recorded in John 10:14-15:

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

How fortunate we are to have such a Shepherd! The very thought that we are known by God should cause great amazement and gratitude to well up within our hearts and minds. I know that, in my own life, the fact that Jesus knows me brings a great comfort.

As we begin another day, let us be keenly aware of opportunities that God might give us to share His love with others. Let us cheerfully be ambassadors of our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even as Jesus has declared that we are known, let’s realize that we have the opportunity to share such a knowing with each person who crosses the pathway of our lives. We can share this truth about Jesus. And, we can also be the source of knowing for others.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, October 12, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Word Became Flesh

 

“ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

—John 1:1

The first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, each begin their narration of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ somewhat differently. Matthew and Luke begin with the birth of Jesus. Mark begins with John the Baptist in the wilderness.

The fourth gospel, the Gospel of John, begins the narration at the time of creation. Notice how John tells his story in John 1:1-5 and 14:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Let us rejoice this day that the living “Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,”—even the very Son of God, our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. In and through Him we have new life.

While, for a time, we each lived in the darkness of sin, now the Light of Life has come to gather us into His glorious Kingdom. Therefore, we have a reason to rejoice in this new day.

In truth, we humans cannot begin to comprehend the enormity of this act of amazing love. God loved us so much that He was willing to send His one and only Son to earth to inhabit a human form and be subjected to every ill that afflicts the humans in our world becuase of the sin of Adam. Though Jesus lived His life totally without sin, He had to experience every bad influence that has so damaged humankind.

In the face of this unbelieveable experience—God becoming man—we receive this immeasureable outpouring of God’s unfailing love. If ever we had a reason to bow before God in worship, with hearts filled with thanksgiving, this event certainly gives us such a reason.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, October 9, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

His Love Endures

 

“His love endures forever.”

—Psalm 136:3b

Almost everything in our culture seems to wear out: things we buy; environments in which we live and work; and, sadly, even some relationships.

But one thing endures forever: God’s unfailing, undying love for us. The Psalmist tells us this in Psalm 136:3-9:

Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

Who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.

Who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.

Who made the great lights—His love endures forever.

The sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.

The moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

Let us give the God who created all things our thankful praise. He certainly deserves our devotion and our love because His love for us endures forever. And, let’s determine to emulate our loving Father. When stresses try to damage the love we feel for each other, let’s determine to very purposefully continue to extend our love without any hesitation. If His love endures, so can ours.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, October 8, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

God's Enduring Love

 

“Give thanks to the Lord”

—Psalm 136:1

In every trial along the road of life, one constant prevails: God’s enduring love. Such a love should cause great thankfulness to rise up within us.

Notice these words from Psalm 136:1:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Over and over, the Psalms proclaim this truth in numerous passages of Scripture. The goodness of God simply cannot be measured. His love permeates all aspects of life.

With such a marvelous, enduring love engulfing us, how can we not overflow with thankfulness? Let us, this day and every day, allow God’s abiding love to permeate every aspect of our lives.

A gospel songwriter, Frederick M. Lehman, wrote the words to a very special song that encapsulates the magnificence of God’s unfailing, undying love:

The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled
by God's beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

When ancient time shall pass away,
and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray
on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
grace will resound the whole earth round—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Endless Praise

 

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name…”

—1 Chronicles 16:8

A co-worker asked a woman:

“In the morning, do you wake up grumpy?”

“No,” she replied. “I usually just let him sleep.”

How we begin our day is really very important. The Bible makes this quite clear in 1 Chronicles 16:8-10:

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim
his name; make known among the
nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts
of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Beginning every day with praise to God on our lips sets the tone for our day. Whether we wake up feeling happy or sad, energized or discouraged, at peace or on edge, comforted or agitated, by starting our day with praise to God, we declare His authority over our emotions and over every other aspect of our lives.

Praising God acknowledges that, no matter what our circumstances may be, God remains on the throne of our lives. He is the One who controls our destiny.

Let us begin our day with praise to God. If we do, His everlasting love, tireless mercy, and unending grace will surely flood our lives.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, October 6, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Welcome to our Field Office

 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

—John 8:31-32

One of the most interesting developmental experiences of my early business life, way back in 1970, occurred when a young insurance engineer from an office many hundreds of miles away received a promotion to District Supervising Engineer and moved to join our local Field Office. As a relatively recent employee, I looked on with anticipation as this newly "knighted" supervisor began the task of coming on board an office that consisted of an extremely closely bonded employees who worked nearly flawlessly together.

To say that the fourteen members of that Field Office were a tightly knit machine was to somewhat understate how smoothly and effectively this group of fire protection engineers worked together. Several employees had labored side by side for over 20 years. As new employees joined the staff, the older members warmly welcomed them and took great pains to instill the "culture" of that particular Field Office into the newbies.

Within the insurance company, that Field Office had a reputation for excellence. It also had the unique position of having within it’s boundaries the widest possible variety of industrial and commercial facilities. That made this Field Office a spectacular training ground. Many top officials in the Hartford, Connecticut, home office had begun their careers in this Field Office

Into this well-oiled fire protection engineering machine stepped a brash newcomer from a faraway office. He came with all the bravado and arrogance that we Field Office workers expected. He was a likeable enough fellow. He had a hearty laugh and a delightful Atlantic coast drawl. He seldom got angry and rarely seemed flustered.

He also brought with him a wealth of learning experiences that I recognized at the time could serve me well when I eventually received a similar promotion. I decided to pay particular attention to this newcomer and learn all that I could possibly learn from him.

(Of course, in fairness as I narrate this story, it is important to note that I viewed the new supervisor’s actions through the lens of a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I knew that Jesus was the most excellent example of a leader. And, while the new supervisor made no claim of belonging to Christ, I simply could not help but compare his performance with what I have observed about Jesus through my reading of Scripture.)

So, please allow me to narrate some of what I learned by observing all the things the new supervisor did wrong. I know that some may find it annoying that I am choosing to focus on the negative. Nevertheless, it is possible that what I learned by observing the new supervisor’s mistakes will have value to others.

As a newly minted supervisor comes into a new workplace, some business school training and certain management books seem to suggest that he or she should “turn the workplace upside down.” Those sources suggest that the new supervisor should quickly discard as much of the employees’ connections to the past as possible. This may include eliminating rituals or traditions the workplace may have practiced under previous supervisors. It may even include discarding key staff members. It may include making all kinds of decisions, major and minor, with absolutely no consideration for how those same decisions may have been made in the past.

To justify this faulty practice, proponents often quote a time-worn cliche:

“A supervisor should be able to choose his or her own team members.”

I could rather easily argue that this cliche has no basis in actual practice. Harvard Business School and The Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania have both conducted significant research over a fifty year span of time that validates the best supervisor can and should enter a new situation and assimilate himself or herself into an existing team in such a way that the team becomes strengthened. (Please click here to read just one such report.)

Obviously, without a detailed knowledge of each individual situation, I cannot determine the true motivation of every new supervisor who has chosen to come in and turn the workplace upside down. But, I can make an educated guess. I think it generally stems from a sense of profound insecurity. The thinking goes something like this:

“If I can break all ties with the past, if I can really turn things upside down, then management will not have anything to judge my performance against except those things I have created of my own volition.”

William Shakespeare in The Tempest wrote:

“What is past is prologue.”

The past has a great deal of influence on the present. In fact, as each person walks along the road of his or her life, every moment in the present has inexorable ties to the past. To try to discard the past, to minimize its value and importance, can only end with a workplace consumed by confusion and torn apart by unrest and discord.

As certain employees push back against the changes the new supervisor makes, he or she will try to manipulate those individuals to leave the organization. The new supervisor will begin to marginalize them, speak against them with members of management, remove them from positions of authority, and generally try to turn others against them. Once a new supervisor starts down the road of breaking a workplace’s connection to the past, he or she has little choice but to do everything possible to justify his or her behavior.

George Santayana wrote:

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,”

I would modify this quotation slightly to assert:

“Those who refuse to honor the past are condemned to be harmed by it.”

Now, I am not suggesting that a new supervisor should never introduce a new idea, a new program, a new policy, a new concept, or a new whatever. Quite to the contrary. Each new supervisor should not see himself or herself as someone who simply maintains what has gone before. Nor should the new supervisor take on the mission of turning the workplace upside down to quickly establish himself or herself as the sole creator of policy and practice.

So, I learned from my experience in the Field Office where I worked that new supervisors, in making changes in any situation where they assume leadership, should carefully consider taking the following careful and thoughtful steps:

1. Make every effort to learn as much about the past as possible. Talk to employees who have been around a long time. Explore the reasons behind why policies, practices, and programs exist. Get to know the underpinnings of the workplace. Find out what makes the employees tick. Find out what bonds them together. What are their traditions? What are their common values? What are their common experiences? Get to know the culture of your new workplace. Find ways to assimilate yourself into the very core of the employees who populate your new workplace. Reach out with a gentle, thoughtful caring. Come along side your employees. Treat them with respect. Value their past.
   
   
2. Make changes very, very slowly and carefully. Don’t change anything, even things that you view as trivial, for at least 12 months. And then, only make changes after carefully exploring those changes openly with your support staff and other members of management. Gauge and anticipate the response of the employees to the changes. In fact, involve as many people as possible in developing the scope and nature of the changes. Norman Shawchuck has long asserted: “People tend to support what they help create.” So don’t be a “Lone Ranger.” Don’t make decisions alone or with just a “Tonto.”
   
   
3. Whenever you do decide to make changes, do so in a way that acknowledges and honors the past. Give gentle and careful verbal assent to the value of the past practice. Provide a fully truthful, completely accurate, forthright, and totally transparent explanation as to why you have decided to make the changes.
   
   

Learning how to become an effective supervisor takes on even more importance if that supervisor happens to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Great King sets a very high standard for leadership. His example gives each Christian supervisor a unique insight into how to become an effective leader.

So, consider doing the three simple things I have suggested and you will prove the lasting value of your supervisory leadership. You will build harmony in the workplace. You will win support for your ideas. You will also find that the care you exercise in decision-making will sometimes influence you to change your mind about some idea, concept, policy, or program. And, most importantly of all, you will honor the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ who lives in your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.

After all, you should want to learn and develop, so that you can better serve God and the business organization, or company, or church to which He has called you. Don’t ever think that you alone have all the answers. The fact is you don’t. You can’t. You won’t.

You will best serve when you form a prayerful, thoughtful, careful partnership with the Holy Spirit, the employees whom you oversee, your fellow supervisors with whom you work, and with the management of the company you serve. God will reward you for the gentleness and caring you display when you make a conscious and determined effort to honor the past and smoothly integrate yourself into your new workplace.

As a postscript, if you’re wondering what became of the new supervisor, let me share that he continued all through his career to perform with the same Atlantic coast bravado and arrogance that marked his first months as a new supervisor. Still, as a person, he remained quite likeable, warm, and collegial. Sadly, later in his career, he developed a reputation that caused one colleague to speak of him as follows:

“He’s the only man I’ve ever met who burns his bridges before he comes to them."

Nevertheless, I will give him credit, though. He certainly taught me a lot of valuable lessons. I remain ever grateful.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, November 8, 2010

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

"I Need You To Trust Me..."

 

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.

—Romans 15:13

“A good investigator has to maintain a healthy skepticism in order to find the truth. But, as an investigator, you must guard yourself against becoming cynical. So, become skeptical, but not cynical.”

Those words begin a lecture I gave hundreds of times over the years to new fire protection engineers about to embark on a career as insurance inspectors. The words came from my own lifetime of experience, inspecting the facilities of the Fortune 1,000 companies.

When you have responsibilities that demand you must find the truth, you must always begin from a position of skepticism. You simply cannot accept as “truth” anything that you have not personally verified from first sources. That concept has such great importance that I feel compelled to repeat it:

You simply cannot accept as “truth” anything that you have not personally verified from first sources.

From a practical standpoint that means I cannot accept as “truth” what one person tells me about an event he or she witnessed. That’s why investigators always interview as many people as possible. A good investigator weaves together a truthful understanding of an event by correlating information from many interviews. If one person tells me what he or she saw, I must verify that information by putting the person's observation into a larger context.

Similarly, I cannot accept as “truth” what one person tells me some other person did or said. If someone reads a document to me, I must ask to see that document for myself. If someone quotes a portion of a letter or memo to me, I must ask to see the entire letter or memo, so I can put the read portion into the context of the entire document. You see, context is always a key to the truth.

“Do you mean to tell me that you shouldn’t trust anyone?”

That’s right. If I want to find “truth,” I have to verify all information for myself. I must ask questions and seek details to support what I'm being told. Let me give you an example.

To help preserve the properties we insured against damage from fire, we asked the management of each facility to designate someone to make weekly self-inspections of all fire protection equipment. Then, as a part of our periodic insurance inspections, we would ask if the facility was making those self-inspections.

Over the course of several thousand inspections, I never had a manager tell me that his or her facility was not making those inspections. Yet, when I asked to see the copies of the weekly inspection reports, I often found significant discrepancies between what the manager thought his or her employees were doing and what those employees were actually doing.

Employee commitment to preserving the property where they work is critical to the overall strategy of property loss control. And, this is just one item from a list of hundreds of items that go into the effort to preserve a facility against destruction by fire.

So, I wonder: when someone tells you what they saw someone do; or, when someone tells you something about another person; or, when someone gives you some information; do you accept that information without question and make decisions based on that information? Or, do you verify that what you’re being told is really the truth? Do you dig in to find the context in which that information resides?

“Surely, there is someone you trust?”

Yes, I trust God and His written Word, the Bible. I trust the inner nudging of the Holy Spirit. I trust the gift of discernment that God has chosen to give me with regard to sensing the presence of evil. Apart from those, I trust no one. Does that seem harsh? Perhaps it does. But, I have arrived at this position through a lifetime of experience at working diligently to find the “truth.” Finding the truth is hard work. Most people give up before they dig deeply enough to discover the truth. Skeptical persistence pays off, though, when you want to discover truth.

Now, please don’t misunderstand. Just because I treat all information skeptically does not mean that I treat the person delivering the information disdainfully. Quite to the contrary. The Bible teaches us that we must do our best to treat all people with respect, kindness, generosity of spirit, gentleness, and God-breathed love. So, even in my quest for the truth when I treat information with skepticism, I still treat the person supplying the information in a manner that honors God.

At the same time, if I discover that the information a particular person has given me has proven false, I am much more careful when receiving information from that person in the future. This is particularly true when I deal with decision-makers.

Most leaders have an agenda. In fact, I will state that every leader has an agenda. That agenda could be good, noble, selfless, and worthy. Or, a leader’s agenda could be tainted by selfishness, or some other less honorable motivator. In many cases, a decision-maker’s agenda can color any information that leader supplies. So, I always carefully verify information that comes from decision-makers.

And, in my effort to maintain a healthy skepticism, I also make a conscious effort to guard myself against becoming cynical. I try to always keep an open mind. If someone gives me information that my verification process discloses is not fully truthful, I don't treat that person with suspicion until he or she has given me untruthful information several times. Only after someone has given me distorted information repeatedly, do I begin to treat what he or she says with suspicion.

In addition to verifying all information by going to first sources, use verbal cues to help you discern the truth. For example, in making inspections at many facilities, I have learned to be hesitant whenever I hear someone say, “You need to trust me…” I have found that people who punctuate their pronouncements by imploring their listeners to trust what they say, often have distorted the truth to fit their own agendas.

I’m certainly not suggesting that you follow my pattern. No! As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you must make your own judgment on this matter. But, I would urge you to listen carefully to everyone who speaks with you. And, I would most respectfully suggest that you make it a practice to verify whatever you’re told.

If someone tells you that a certain person said something that merits action on your part, go to that person and ask them to give you the context. You may find that the information you received was intentionally or unintentionally distorted by the person who first told you.

In the final analysis, measure all information against God’s written Word. Let your own study of Scripture give you the tools to make sound judgments, particularly about behavior. After all, you can trust God and His written Word. Even as Jesus prayed for His beloved followers in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Thankful for God's Power

 

“…let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…”

—Hebrews 12:29a

We may not always be consciously aware of how reliant we are on God’s power. Nevertheless, it is His power that leads us, cares for us, and protects us every day of our lives.

It is God’s mighty power that has brought His Kingdom to earth through the amazing Presence of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. His Kingdom is not some far off place. It is right here with us, right now.

The writer to the Hebrews has made this declaration in Hebrews 12:28-29:

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Notice the phrase “we are receiving a kingdom.” In New Testament Greek, the word translated “receiving” indicates something that is happening now, and continues to happen over and over without stopping.

Our thankfulness rightly gives way to worship. We worship our God of power and might. We praise and honor Him for His mighty power.

Let us rejoice this day that our God is a consuming fire. His power is unstoppable. His love cannot be measured. And, we are the ones whom He loves. We are the ones in whom He imbues His power.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, October 5, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Will It Honor Jesus' Name?

 

“…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

—Colossians 3:17b

It is good to have a standard against which we can measure what we say and what we do. The Apostle Paul offered such a standard in Colossians 3:17:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Let us choose this day to measure what we say and do against this standard: will it be worthy for our Savior’s name? As one of His chosen and dearly loved children, will what we do and what we say bring honor to Him? Using such a standard will help us guard our minds, hearts, pens, and tongues.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, October 2, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Overflowing Thankfulness

 

“…just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…”

—Colossians 2:6

The way we think controls the way we live. If we think positively, we will live positively. If we think negatively, we will live negatively. The Apostle Paul recognized this truth when he wrote these words in Colossians 2:6-7:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

We get to choose how we will live this day. So, let us choose to live thankfully: thankful for God’s unfailing love for us; thankful for Jesus’ death in our place to cover our sins; thankful for His resurrection that guarantees our place in heaven; and thankful for the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit, who leads us along the pathway God has provided for us.

Then, as we consider how blessed we truly are, let us live this day with the positive attitude of overflowing thankfulness. We can express our thanksgiving to God by devoting ourselves to serving Him and allowing His love to flow through us and touch the lives of the others around us.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, October 1, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Legacy of Enduring Love

 

“ For the Lord is good and his love endures forever…”

—Psalm 100:5a

What legacy will we leave the generations who follow us? That question is on the mind of almost every senior citizen. Here is one very potent answer from Psalm 100:4-5:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Let us rejoice this day that we belong to the God who loves us intensely and has a powerful plan for our lives, generation after generation. His love for us, and those who come after us, represents a truly important legacy. Let us lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God this day—for His love endures forever!

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2015

_{Copyright © 2021 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}