Solomon Survey Part II

Welcome back to the "Solomon Survey!" It's time to do a series of post based on a survey that will help us align our lives with God's Will. If you would like to read the first installment of this series, please click here: The Solomon Survey - Introduction

Many times we ask the question, "Where is God and why is He silent?" I have written some thoughts below that have helped me come to get a grip on what is really going on during times like these...

Still Gotta Eat

I know it may sound like a broken record or an inspirational bumper sticker that reads, "God is shaping you through times of struggle," or that "God is working behind the scenes"...I know it's frustrating because during these times of struggle and character development we still have to eat and pay for gas...but it is MEGA important to analyze and dissect the fact that God really is up to something in your life. God is never still. He is always working. In fact, John 5.17 says this:

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."

Back To The Basics
So here is the deal. It is time to get back to the basics and understand our core principles of what and who we really believe. Ask your self these two fundamental questions:

A. Does God exists?

B. Does God care?

Because we can answer yes to both of these questions, we must continue the process of increasing our relationship with God so that He will prepare us and then use us for His Glory.

So the first thing I need to understand and I pray you will understand is this: We are not accidents. God not only exists, but He also cares enough for us that He sent His Son to bleed and die for us.

The next postings on "Solomon's Survery" are going to be sets of questions from different aspects of our lives, such as relational, vocational, listening, accountability, etc in order to find the way to properly align ourselves with God's plan for us. The first survey coming from the understanding that we are not accidents!

The Source Of True Life

Carefully guard your thoughts

because they are the source of true life.

(Prov 4.23 CEV)

Be careful what you think,

because your thoughts run your life. (Prov 4.23 NCV)

Other translations use 'heart' instead of 'think' or 'thoughts...'


What are you thinking about today? What is in your heart (i.e. the center of your soul?)

Relationships:Chapter 3

Welcome to Chapter 3 on applying the '3-2-1'(3 Principles, 2 Insights, 1 Question) Framework to what I learn from "How To Win Friends And Influence People" written by Dale Carnegie. Click the following links if you would like to view chapter 1 and chapter 2. Next, read below to see how these pearls of wisdom from chapter 3 apply to The Teachings of Christ from over 2000 Years ago:

3 Principles
A. Influencing others is about what they want and showing them how to obtain it.
B. Always think about the other person's perspective, as well as your own.
C. People want to feel as though they are buying, not being sold.

2 Insights
A. Arouse a desire in others.
B. It's about mutual benefit, not manipulation. This way the other party and you benefit.

1. Question
What does the other person want?

Quotes:
"People who can put themselves in the place of other people, who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for them."

~ Owen D. Young ~

If you do not raise your eyes you will think that you are the highest point.
~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin ~

Teachings Of Jesus
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ Matthew 20:28 (NLT) ~

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." ~ Matthew 5:48 (The Message) ~

Now think about this...you want others to do for you and others want you to do for them. These next two Scriptures talk about 'Insight #2" listed above about mutual benefit....

Matthew 7:12 (The Message)

"The Golden Rule" - "Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get (Emphasis added).

Matthew 25:34-40 (The Message)

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'

"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

Leadership Secret: King Leonidas

Quote from James Whitley's book: Duty, Honor, and Glory:

"Experts began studying leadership in the early 1900s, but, as Leonidas showed us twenty-five hundred years ago, it REALLY ISN'T ALL THAT COMPLICATED. GRAB A SWORD; STRAP ON A SHIELD, AND LEAD." (emphasis mine)

May your sword be God's Word and your shield be your faith in Christ Jesus, the Warrior of all Warriors!


"...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one...take the...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:16,17; NIV)

*see Whitley's book and website here

All or none!

Christ says, "Give me all. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want YOU. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there. I want to have the whole tree down. I don't want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think are innocent as well as the ones you think are wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: My own shall become yours."

—C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

WELL?

The Solomon Survey - Introduction

You feel as though you have faith, you have read Scripture, and you have prayed Prayers. So you ask, "Where is God and why is He not answering me?"

I have found when I am at these points in my life, the problem is not with God, it is with me. So I have developed what I call "The Solomon Survey" in order for me to hold myself accountable instead of always blaming or questioning God.

God's Playbook, Our Obedience
Think of it like a "playbook." A football player may know his plays back and forth, the coach could be setting him up for glory, but then the player does not execute. There is nothing wrong with "God's Playbook" (i.e. The Bible), sometimes it's our obedience, or shall I say, our lack of obedience, of following His commands and Textbook on life that is causing us to have a stumbling block to our Prayers.

The Solomon Survey
In (1 Kings 3.5-15), we come across an amazing piece of Scripture. God straight up comes to Solomon and asks him what he wants. Solomon's answer is to obtain Wisdom in order for him to lead his people. Notice how his request was not only for personal gain, but so that he could make those around him better! God was so pumped up about Solomon's request, that He not only gave Solomon wisdom, but He also granted him so much more...God being the Amazing God He is, also granted Solomon....Riches•Respect•Greatness•Long Life!!!

Put Yourself In "God's Shoes"
I don't think God is playing a game with us, but we must seek Him in the correct ways and ask Him for the right blessings. In other words, we must check our motivation. Is what we are asking of God pleasing to God? Do our requests pump Him up? And are we allowing God to trust us with our request? Again, I don't think God is playing games with us, but if you are a parent an employer, or a coach, a leader of any kind, then I think you can relate to God in this context...In other words, put yourself in "God's Shoes" for a moment...You give to those whom you know you can trust with what you give....

Are you allowing God to trust you with what you are asking of Him? See the next post for the survey and please ask yourself the questions. Be honest with the answers because I know the hardest thing for us to do is admit we are in the wrong, but again, we must hold ourselves accountable and make sure we are doing our part, because I know God is always doing His!

So "turn the page" and tune in to the next blog post to answer "The Solomon Survey" and see if there is something you need to do in order for God to not only grant you Wisdom, but to also hear The Carpenter Of Creation say to you, "As a bonus, I will also give you.....!" (Author's Translation)

Are You Listening?

You are searching and wishing, wanting, and waiting. You need advice, you beg for vision, you seek direction. The question is, "Are You Listening?"

Look through Scripture, all of the studs who made something of their lives, all had one thing in common: They LISTENED to God!

From Mundane To Magnificent
Before Gideon listened to God, he sifted wheat...not on a hilltop, but down in the valley. After He listened to God, he defeated the mighty Midianite army with only 3oo men.

Before Moses listened to God, he was a shepherd who thought he had a lack of speaking abilities. After he listened to God, Moses delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, Raised his staff and witnessed God split the Red Sea, and received the Ten Commandments directly from The Hand of God!

I could go on and on with examples like this, so go ahead and take a look through the stories of Jeremiah, Gideon, Moses, Joshua, etc and you will see phrases such as...

Jeremiah (Chapter 1)
"This is what God said, God told me, God reached out, touched my mouth, and said,"

Moses (Exodus 3 &4)
"God said to Moses, Believe Me, God said to Moses, God said to Moses, God said to Moses."

Gideon
By the time you get to verse 9 in Judges 7, we see the phrase, "God said to Gideon," five times!!! And then look at what Gideon does right before he leads his 3oo men to defeat the Midianite army....Gideon "went to his knees before God in Prayer."

Joshua
Joshua is the stud that God chose to be Moses' successor and to lead the Israelite's into The Promise Land...listen to what the people say under Joshua's leadership in reference to God, "We will worship God. What He says, we'll do."

The Common Theme: Each of these studs had specific dialogue with God and they LISTENED to God. There is nothing wrong with the, "Lord please Bless Me" Prayer....by all means, Pray these Prayers with Heart and Soul, I know I do....but there must come a time where you and I get specific with God....be honest with Him, come to Him in extreme detail, and most of all.....LISTEN TO HIM.

A parallel with Apple Computer
You know why companies like Apple Computer are becoming so successful. They listen to their customers....take a look....

In presenting the iMac, Jobs outlined the top three requests of customers and how that feedback drove the engineering of the updated iMac. (The requests were, in order of importance: 1. More flat screens. 2. Make more use of the G4 processor - in the new iMac, the G4 is standard. 3. Make more use of the Apple Superdrive, a combination CD-RW and DVD-R - now part of the high-end iMac.)

Do you think Apple would have been able to create amazing computers if they just wanted all their needs met instead of meeting the needs of their customers? God has needs to be met and He wants to use you to be an answer to His Prayer!

So instead of just coming to God with a 'bless me' grocery list of your desires, take time to listen to what God has to say.

Speak God. I'm Ready To Listen
In 1 Samuel 3.8-10, Samuel has one of the best phrases found in Scripture..."Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen."

Samuel had the right perspective, He needed to listen to God. Here is the funny thing that I know I have experienced....It took God FOUR times to call on Samuel before Samuel finally took the hint!! Are you like Samuel in this context? I know I am... God has called and called and called and called me and I have finally taken the hint!!! Praise be to God for His Holy patience!

Best Example of All
Jesus, a carpenter, The Son of God, became The Savior of The World. He listened to God. In Luke 22:41-42, Jesus says these famous words as He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Do you want to take your life to the next level and go from the mundane to the magnificent? Here is your game plan to do so: Listen to God!

While I'm Waiting

Waiting on You, Lord

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”
Psalm 27:14

I’ve recently discovered John Waller’s (http://www.johnwallermusic.com/ ) powerful song entitled While I’m Waiting. It is featured in the new movie Fireproof and hit me harder than Ivan Drago’s first punch on Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV! Before I go on, read his words below:

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

I have to admit, I’ve been in a rut for several months now in my professional life. I have truly been waiting on God to tell me what is next in his playbook for my career, or more accurately, complaining to God about waiting for the next move to show up in a detailed letter in my mailbox so that I could know when, where, and how He was going to use me next. I had pretty much accepted my current position as a place to park for a while and have been constantly praying for what God was going to do for ME and how he could use ME and allow ME to make an impact for Him anywhere but here. Me, Me, Me.

That’s when John MacArthur and others began to slap me on the back of the head to wake up and be CONTENT with where I was for as long as God wanted me here. Next came the words above that really hit it home… While I’m waiting I will serve You, While I’m waiting I will worship, While I’m waiting I will not faint, I’ll be running the race even while I wait. And you see, that’s what God has been trying to teach me lately. It’s not all about ME and what I want to do next, even if I think it’s for His glory. WRONG. It’s about Him and His timing and His plans. If I can’t be trusted to tend to the flock I have been given or fields which I am charged to plant, then how can I expect to be rewarded with greater flocks and larger fields?
You see, we aren’t serving Him by praying for new opportunities and then complaining and moping about our present circumstances. No sir! To pray for God’s plans to be revealed in His time is a wonderful plan, but while I am planted where I am, I must SERVE Him, WORSHIP Him, and RUN THE RACE, even while I wait.

In one of my favorite movies, Facing the Giants, the football coach feels like his world is crashing down around him and that God must be planning for him to move on. This comes after he overhears several boosters plotting his exit as the coach because “he just can’t get the job done.” A local man who stops by the high school to pray over the students’ lockers suddenly appears in the coach’s office and told him “God is not done with you yet!” and that until God closed this door, he was to bloom where he was planted. You know what, that’s the absolute truth with us as well!

So what are you doing about your present circumstances? I don’t know about you, but I’m more focused than ever to give God my all right where I am, even while I’m waiting!

Who wants Jesus more? Part II

Song Lyrics: "Give Me Jesus!" by Fernando Ortega

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
When I am alone, give me Jesus
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus

Check out music on youtube: here and here!
Bonus: here

Who wants Jesus more? Part I

Scripture:

Jesus…asked them, “Who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am He…again He asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” I told you that I am He.” (John 18:4-8)

A Huge Conclusion:

I began to think about this passage recently. After meditating on it, I came to a huge conclusion. It is this:

“Everyone wants Jesus.”

2 ways to “want” Jesus: We either want Him:

1. “IN” our life

Or we want Him

2. “OUT” of our life…

There is really no in between.

Observation:

I’m struck how passionately the chief priests and Pharisees wanted Jesus “OUT” of their life…have a look…

• Mark 3:6- “Then the Pharisees went out and began to PLOT with the Herodians how they might KILL Jesus.”

• Mark 12:12-, “Then they looked for a way to arrest Him because they knew He had spoken the parable against Him.”

• Mark 14:44- Judas said, “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.

• Mark 14:64b-65- “They all condemned Him as WORTHY of DEATH.

Then some began to SPIT at HIM;

They blindfolded Him,

STRUCK Him with their fists, and said, “Prophecy!”

And the guards took Him and BEAT Him.”

• Mark 15:13- “Crucify Him!” they shouted.

• Mark 15:14b- “But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

• Mark 15:15- “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.

He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.”

• Mark 15:16-20-“…purple robe…crown of thorns…

Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him…

Paid homage to Him…mocked Him…led Him out to crucify Him…”

• Mark 15:24- “And they crucified Him.”

• Mark 15:29, 32- “Those who passed by hurled insults at Him.”

• Mark 15:31- “…the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked Him…”

Observation #2:

They wanted Jesus…they just wanted Him “OUT”...and BADLY! They “plotted”…they “planned”…they “crucified Him”.

Question #2:

Do you and I want Jesus "IN" our lives as BAD as they wanted Jesus "OUT" of their lives?

I wonder sometimes…

Who’s more PASSIONATE…the “OUT” folks or the “IN” folks?

How bad do you WANT JESUS? How INTENTIONAL is your relationship with Him?

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them,” Who is it you want?” (John 18:4) (NIV)

Contenment and Aspirations

"Glorifying God means that we praise Him with a full heart, absolute contentment, knowing that our lot is God’s plan for us now.”
~John MacArthur~

Had a great email from Gates the other day that made extra neurons fire in my cerebral cortex! The topic is on Contentment and Aspirations. Read below an edited version of Gates' email. Soak in these great thoughts to understand where you are in life and how God is "pruning" your branches in order to develop amazing fruit!

We all need a proper perspective on things in the midst of our desires to make a mark and have a bigger impact in the world around us. We all get caught up in our routines sometimes that it’s like watching Bill Murray in Groundhog Day where it feels like you are re-living the same day over and over. But, I have found some good perspective this week in John MacArthur’s “The Keys to Spiritual Discipline.” He hit on some key points this week…Trust God, Give Praise to God, Endure Suffering, Be Content, Pray According to God’s Will, and more. Being Content probably spoke louder than most to me right now in the midst of some feelings of wanting to do more with my life.

Here is an excerpt from MacArthur's book...

“Discontent characterizes the age in which we live. We may be discontent about ourselves and our circumstances. But who made us? God. And He promises to supply all our needs. When we are content, we acknowledge God’s sovereignty in our lives, and that gives Him glory. If we are discontent, it’s the same as questioning God’s wisdom….Paul testified ‘I’ve learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.’ (Philippians 4:11-12)…..Paul understood God’s working in his life, and he was confident that God would use all things – poverty as well as abundance, comfort as well as pain – for Paul’s good and God’s glory. He didn’t say, I will give God glory in spite of my pain, he said I will give God glory because of it. Discontent is a sin because it robs God of glory….Glorifying God means that we praise Him with a full heart, absolute contentment, knowing that our lot is God’s plan for us now.” (Emphasis added)

Good stuff from MacArthur! While we are made to aspire to do more for the Creator, we should not be moping around saying, "woe is me." We can be anxious to do more but respect where God has put us for now. I am learning to be more content in this period of waiting. My passion and energy comes by leading people; Leading them to the point where I can have a significant impact on the lives of others...we are all in specific places presently for a specific reason and we must accept that there is something more going on in preparation, so for now, you and I will, as did Paul, learn to be content in whatever circumstances we are in. (Emphasis added)

Relationships:Chapter 2

Welcome to Chapter 2 on applying the '3-2-1'(3 Principles, 2 Insights, 1 Question) Framework to what I learn from "How To Win Friends And Influence People" written by Dale Carnegie and see how these pearls of wisdom apply to The Teachings of Christ from over 2000 Years ago:

3 Principles
A. The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
B. One of the best talents you can utilize is arousing enthusiasm of those around you.
C. It's about sincere appreciation, not flattery. Flattery is selfish and insincere.

Thoughts on appreciation and flattery: Appreciation is from the heart, flattery is from the teeth. Appreciation is about having sparks of gratitude. People love appreciation but can see the mischief through flattery.

Quote on flattery: "Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself."

2 Insights
A. Appreciation and Encouragement increase enthusiasm.
B. Praise others publicly as well as privately.

1. Question
How can I figure out the other person's good points and then supply honest and sincere appreciation.

Teachings Of Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5:10-12 (New International Version)

10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Relationships:Chapter 1

A common denominator we all have in life is that we are surrounded by people. So I am taking it upon myself on increasing my skills on understanding human nature. I am going to apply a '3-2-1'(3 Principles, 2 Insights, 1 Question) Framework to what I learn from "How To Win Friends And Influence People" written by Dale Carnegie and see how these pearls of wisdom apply to The Teachings of Christ from over 2000 Years ago:

3 Principles
A. Instead of condemning people, try to understand them
B. Condemning people always causes them to defend themselves, so nothing is ever resolved
C. Human nature shows us that people in the wrong will blame everybody but themselves

2 Insights
A. Try and figure out why it is people do what they do
B. Apply the 3 C's and be Cool, Calm, and Collected in handling people

1. Question
What is the best way for me to put myself in "other people's shoes" in order to know why they act or do what they do, and how can I create change without pulling out their "defense" mechanism?

Teachings Of Jesus
Romans 2.1-2 (The Message) - God Is Kind, but Not Soft

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done (Emphasis Added).

Whatever It Takes, Part VII: Jesus

Jesus is a Master of Reversal. He tells us to save our life is to lose our life for His sake (MATTHEW 16:25-26). He tells us that to die is gain (Philippians 1:21-23). He tells us that in order for us to lead, we must be willing to serve (Deut 15.12-18).

Jesus linked leadership with servanthood (Matthew 20.25-28) and Jesus did "Whatever It Took" to be a leader that served. We see a major example of this when Jesus washed His Disciples Feet (John 13).

The Hebrew word, 'Sharath' defines servant as, "someone who will perform menial tasks to accomplish an overall goal (Exodus 28.35-43). Leaders must do "Whatever It Takes" to serve the mission.

We must do "Whatever It Takes" in our relationship with Christ, which will then pour over in our relationship with the people we are around. So practice Jesus' examples of 'Reversals,' and lead by serving!

Quick Survey: Psalm 119.41-48

Here are some questions I asked myself this morning as I meditated on Psalm 119.41-48 (MSG)...This survey will start with a passage of Scripture and then be followed by a question. Please ask yourself the same questions. I Pray you Enjoy and Apply it to your life!

#1. Let your love, God, shape my life
with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery
because I trusted your Word.

Q. Do I Trust His Word?
_______________________________

#2. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever—
your commandments are what I depend on.

Q. Do I really depend on His Commandments, or am I depending on what my friends and what culture commands?
______________________________

#3. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me,
guard it now, guard it ever;

Q. God reveals Himself and His Will to us. Do I really guard His Revelation with my life or do I just see God and Jesus as a good luck charm?
______________________________

#4. And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces
as I look for your truth and your wisdom;

Q. Am I active in Seeking God? If you want to become friends with someone or learn a new subject, do you obtain your goal by sitting around and do nothing? Nope. You and I need to Be active in our pursuit of God.
_____________________________

#5. Then I'll tell the world what I find,
speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed

Q. Am I bold in my faith in Jesus Christ? You don't have to run down the street with a megaphone and yell REPENT or shout out that you are a Christian, but you must stand up and stand tall in a culture that is lost without Jesus Christ.
_____________________________

#6. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—
relishing every fragment of your counsel.

Q. Do I cherish The Word of God? Do I love them or do I love what culture has to say? Do I relish God's counsel or am I seeking out culture for the answers to life?

Whatever It Takes, Part VI: Jesus

Welcome Back to the sixth installment of "Whatever It Takes," sub-category, "The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ"

Today I want to focus on what the doctor Luke has to say in his Gospel account on how Jesus exhibited Leadership qualities and did whatever it took to live the life God called Him to live.

Role Of The Wilderness
In part V, I talked about how Jesus established His priorities based on what God desired. Jesus would take a step back, like an artist drawing a portrait, so that He could see the big picture. In Luke's Gospel (Luke 4.1-13), we see how Jesus not only took a step back, but we see how He maximized His time in the wilderness to be shaped into The Leader God called Him to be.

Maximize Your Time In The Wilderness
In order to do "Whatever It Takes," you need to be able to maximize your time in the wilderness. It is a time of pruning. A time for the Potter to mold you and shape you. Jesus spent 40 days alone in the wilderness during the beginning of His Ministry. He abstained from food, noise, and distraction. Using Max Lucado's, "Leadership Bible" again as a great resource for this blog post, we see how The Gospel's of Matthew and Luke mark this time in the wilderness as a time ordained by The Holy Spirit.

Max Lucado makes a great list of how Luke gives us a hint to how Jesus and leaders can benefit from this time alone and away from distraction. Follow Jesus' example in order to:

1. Recognize that God will lead us into seasons of growth, not gratification.
2. Fight battles and overcome temptations to take shortcuts.
3. Learn discipline and the art of depending on God.
4. Be broken of self-sufficiency and self-promotion.
5. Solidify our sense of mission.
6. Gain perspective.
7. Be prepared to enter our vocation.

Learn from your time of solitude and then apply those lessons in order to do "Whatever It Takes" to do the good works that God has prepared for you in advance to do...

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Whatever It Takes, Part V: Jesus

Welcome back to the 5th part of "Whatever It Takes." Starting with part IV, we began what is really more like a 'sub-series,' sort of like a sub-category. This sub-series is about following The Ultimate Example when it comes to doing 'whatever it takes.' The ultimate example is Jesus Christ. You can click here, Whatever It Takes, Part IV: Jesus, to read the first installment.

Today we will see how Jesus did 'Whatever It Took' by looking at how He established priorities. We see from Mark 1.32-38 how Jesus received His priorities from His Heavenly Father instead of allowing others to dictate His Agenda. Verse 38, Jesus says, ..."for this purpose I have come forth.” What is your purpose? Are you doing 'Whatever It Takes' to seek your purpose from God, or are you seeking your purpose from others?

John Maxwell has a leadership law for this called, "The Law of Priorities," and he teaches from his Maxwell Leadership Bible, how Jesus would often leave the demands of His work to pray and regain His perspective.

We need to do the same. It's like an artist who is drawing a portrait. The artist will become extremely focused on the drawing, going deep into "The Zone." However, every once in a while, the artist will take a step back, and look at the picture as a whole, i.e. look at the BIG picture. It's the same way in our life with Christ. We need to stop all of our busyness, seek solitude and Prayer, and take a step back.

Taking a step back helps us to re-establish our priorities and to evaluate our productivity. Is all of our busyness and doing stuff keeping us from getting stuff done? Don't mistake activity for achievement.

Who or what is establishing your priorities? If your priorities are established from culture, you are in for a world of hurt. But if your priorities are from God, The Almighty, The Carpenter of Creation, you are in for a world of Blessing. We must get our priorities from God, He is The One who grants us time and opportunity in the first place, so we must schedule our priorities based on His Desires.

It's time to do "Whatever It Takes" and have our priorities based on God's game plan. We must make pre-decisions so that when the 4th quarter, 2 minute drills of life pop up, we are firmly established in God's Will in order for us to be ready for victory. But this only happens when we step back, look at the big picture and have our game plan established by God's Leadership.

Jesus did "Whatever It Took" and re-established His perspective on life. He received His priorities from God, not from people. He always had the priority to serve people. Whom or what is establishing your priorities?

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
~ Stephen Covey ~