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| Submitted: Tuesday, November 20, 2007; 12:37 p.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
Do you have a
"life verse"? Sometimes in conversations and in conferences I
asked individuals that question. I thoroughly enjoy hearing the
explanations as to why these persons came to claim the verse or
verses as their own. It is really a testimony wrapped up in a
verse or two.
My practice has been slightly different relative to a "life
verse." Each year I prayerfully consider what verse or brief
passage of Scripture epitomizes my hopes and dreams for the
coming year. In the past, I have been led to Jeremiah 29:11,
Philippians 3:10, Philippians 1:6, and this year II Corinthians
5:14.
The verse or passage is used by me every day of the year. When I
do handwritten notes and e-mails, I will sign my name and then
point the reader to the reference from the Bible. It is just a
simple but substantive reminder to me, more than anyone else,
that this challenge or promise from God's Word is ever before me
for a variety of reasons.
This year I have returned to Philippians, which is my favorite
Pauline epistle. The Scriptural reference is found in the first
chapter, verses 9-11. It is essentially a prayer from the heart
of the apostle to the people of Philippi and to us today.
Recently, the text captivated my attention as I read it from the
Holman Christian Standard Bible. Verse 10 really gave me much to
consider, and ultimately the prayer of Paul became my prayer for
2008. I am not ashamed to admit that this is a borrowed prayer.
Join me in praying the prayer of the great apostle found in this
text: "And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in
knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can
determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in
the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that
[comes] through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
My prayer for 2008 is grounded in the heartfelt petitions Paul
expressed to his friends in Philippi. These simple but profound
prayer requests are from my attudinal template for the year to
come. Consider with me the three basic prayer petitions the
apostle offers in this text.
First, I pray that I will develop a growing love for Christ and
others.
In verse nine, Paul abounds in his desire to see believers grow
in their love life. He presupposes that Christians will grow in
their love for the Lord, but he ties that reality to the need
for a growing love for others. He links love and knowledge in a
unique way. If we love someone we grow in knowledge of the
person. In our love of Jesus, we learn more about who He is and
who we are as people of faith. The same principle is true of our
love for others. Real love grows as we come to know each other.
That is the distinguishing badge of Christian discipleship (John
13:35).
Second, I pray that I will develop a more discerning look at the
present and future.
The words of verse 10 just jump off the pages and compel me to
take more than just a cursory look at this important challenge.
Paul said, "...so that you can determine what really matters."
Now that speaks to me in a truly personal fashion. A discerning
spirit helps me to determine what really matters in life. This
spirit flows from a growing love for the Lord and for others. If
you and I are in love with Jesus, we will love others the way we
should and we then can determine our priorities in life in a
more effective way. Our love life determines the way we live and
what gains our attention as well as receives our resources.
You and I would do well to remember every day of life what Paul
has challenges us to do. "Keep your life pure and progressive so
you can determine what really matters." In 2008, I am going to
ask myself some very important questions. Is my love life
growing? Am I determining what really matters? Like Paul, I want
to exemplify a "this one thing I do" kind of philosophy as a
Christian who seeks to lead others.
Third, I pray that I will develop a more fruit-bearing life as a
testimony of God's glory.
A growing love and a discerning spirit will lead to a
fruit-bearing lifestyle. Paul speaks of it as being "filled with
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the
glory and praise of God."
I do not have any righteousness of my own which can bear fruit.
All the fruit I can bear comes from the righteousness given to
me by Christ. His righteousness lives in me and through, as is
true of every one of His followers. I really need to remember
that basic truth every day of my life and I will do my utmost to
be sure that is true for 2008.
In II Corinthians 5:21, the apostle Paul set forth a brilliant
and brief explanation of this gift of righteousness, "He (God)
made the One (Jesus) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." I do not
understand this mystery, but I praise God for it. Jesus has
given to me, and to all His people, righteousness or right
standing before the Holy God. He also has come to live in our
lives and to bear the fruit of this righteousness.
These three petitions are essentially my daily prayer for the
coming year. If I can personify them, then I can discover a more
fully developed Christian worldview. As I have studied the
verses, I came to the conclusion that, for me, they express the
very intent of LEADERconnect. To connect with God, purpose and
others means I must have a growing love, a discerning look, and
a fruit-bearing life.
Now for what reason? Paul answers that question too. He says all
of this is to be "to the glory and praise of God". Peterson
offers this paraphrase of the text, "So this is my prayer, that
your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but
well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and
test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent,
not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and
exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits
from the soul. Making Jesus attractive to all, getting everyone
involved in the glory and praise of God."
I want that to be my prayer. I would like it to be your prayer
too. Together let us pledge to develop a growing love, a
discerning look and a fruit-bearing life for the glory and
praise of God. I pray that 2008 will be a turning point for
God's glory in your life and mine. Thank you Paul, the apostle,
for letting me borrow your prayer.
A Dynamic Duo Visits Alabama Baptists
| Submitted: Wednesday, October 17, 2007; 10:24 a.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
With the
presidential election a little more than a year away, the
candidates are busy visiting states raising funds and making
speeches. A few of the contenders, in both parties, have made
their ways to Alabama seeking the support of Alabama leaders in
their quests for the highest elected office in our nation. Next
year, the nominees of their respective parties will most likely
do the same.
Alabama Baptists have what I call "a dynamic duo" visiting us on
Tuesday, November 13, during the annual meeting of our State
Convention. They are not seeking votes or trying to make the
news. Rather, they are going to be at the state convention to
help us launch the emphasis on LEADERconnect.
Who are these two guests and what is LEADERconnect? Richard
Blackaby -- well-known author, teacher, preacher and leader --
is one of the two guests. I first met Richard more than 20 years
ago when I was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of
Tuscaloosa. He was the principal leader and teacher for a prayer
conference at our church.
From that time on, I have been an admirer of Richard Blackaby.
He combines the heart of a spiritual leader with the mind of a
Christian scholar. As you may know, his famous father, Henry
Blackaby, is a noted author of numerous books and studies on
spiritual leadership. What you may not know is that Richard has
written extensively with his father and on his own as well.
Richard is truly a dynamic speaker and leader!
Steve Green is our second guest on hand for the convention.
Steve is a gifted Christian vocalist who has for decades served
the Lord through music. In 1999, Steve was a featured soloist
for our convention, and he was so well received by the Alabama
Baptist family that we wanted to invite him for an encore visit.
During the 1999 convention, we celebrated the conclusion of our
partnership in missions with Spain. To honor our partners from
Spain, Steve sang in Spanish for them, and they were literally
tearful as well as cheerful over the kind gesture on his part.
Steve Green is a humble person with enormous giftedness. The
Lord has used him all over the world for His glory.
Now, what is LEADERconnect? It is a much-needed emphasis upon
developing effective leadership in Alabama Baptist churches.
Christian leaders are both born and grown. When we are born
again, we are given gifts for service for the Lord. The
Christian life is a pilgrimage which involves growing and
maturing in the faith. That is the essence of LEADERconnect.
LEADERconnect is about connecting with God, purpose and others.
Connecting with God is a daily exercise. It is walking with the
Lord each and every day. Connecting with your life's purpose
emanates from the connectivity a Christian has with the Lord.
Knowing and doing God's will is the greatest knowledge and the
greatest achievement for the believer.
LEADERconnect is also a challenge to be connected with others.
The Christian life was never intended to be lived in isolation
but in communion. We are saved by His grace, and we serve others
for His glory. As Christians, we are to live a Christ-centered
life with a people priority.
As we gather in Mobile for the Alabama Baptist Convention, we
need to welcome the presence of a dynamic duo, Richard Blackaby
and Steve Green, who have come to assist us as we launch the
emphasis known as LEADERconnect. Pray that we as a people of
faith will be connected with God, purpose and others, and also
pray that we will be effective and faithful as leaders seeking
"the Kingdom of God and His righteousness."
