http://jaaronbennett.com/

: Are you a Critic or an Agent of Change?

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:18:13 -0400

: Are you a Critic or an Agent of Change?:

The world is filled with critics. I’m not talking about the people who write the reviews that wind up on rottentomatoes.com. I’m referring to a word best illustrated by those in the old school: The NAY-SAYER. These are the people that have never seen an idea that they couldn’t criticize.

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Are you a Critic or an Agent of Change?

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:28:00 -0400

The world is filled with critics. I’m not talking about the people who write the reviews that wind up on rottentomatoes.com. I’m referring to a word best illustrated by those in the old school: The NAY-SAYER. These are the people that have never seen an idea that they couldn’t criticize.

There’s a little bit of a critic in all of us. I think this is a good and constructive piece of our humanity. For example, I don’t think a lion has ever paused with a mouthful of Rhino and asked a member of his pride, “do you think this could use a little more salt?” Constructive criticism can lead to some of the greatest changes and innovations the world has ever known. However, a critical spirit can be as ugly and detrimental as a well-placed explosive.

There is an ugly, age-old, Satan-entertaining practice within the body of Christ. It occurs when we absolutely ignore what Jesus asked God for in one of His last recorded prayers on planet earth: “Father, let them be one as we are one.” Spoken on the night before his egregious betrayal and brutal murder, this prayer should absolutely redefine the way Christians respond to each other. Sadly, a quick glance at the blogosphere could tell a different story.

Why are there so many critics? Because it’s easy. When I criticize something, I immediately feel better about myself. I pointed to something and called it bad. The unspoken thing that I am actually shouting would look something like this: “AREN’T I SMART FOR FIGURING THAT OUT? Who’s impressed?” Perhaps this is why scripture says that knowledge “puffs up.”

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think that just because you are a Christian, that you should get a free pass. I believe that the right change always begins with asking the right questions. I also know that the only real way to affect a lasting change within the body of Christ is actually within a BODY OF CHRIST. I can’t find an example in the New Testament of what I’m supposed to do if I disagree with a preacher I read about online. I read a ton about what I’m supposed to do about the brother or sister in Christ next door.

I hate that a lot of young guys (and some young women) feel like they are solving the world’s problems simply by agreeing about who to disagree with. Here are some helpful things to remember:
- Noticing something is not the same thing as making a difference. (it’s step one in a multi-step process.)
- Talking about discipleship is not the same thing as making a disciple.
- Pointing to something that is wrong does not mean that you are right. (just ask the Pharisees.)
- Critics are usually silenced and almost always forgotten.
- Agents of Change make a lasting difference.
- If you’re claiming Christ, but you’re not displaying the fruits of His spirit in your approach, you might want to take a second look at the thing sitting next to your contact lens…it’s called a plank.

No worries. We’ve all had them (things in our lives we have to deal with before we can make a real difference in someone else’s life). Take a second and remove it (that’s called revival). Then humble yourself before God and let the Gospel wreck your life (worship). Next, show some earth-shaking love toward a brother/sister in Christ (community). Then, submit to authority (it’s just so biblical and counter-intuitive to your flesh, its bound to tick the devil off). Now go change the world.

So…does everyone get a free pass? Heck no. Critics drop truth bombs and walk away. Agents of change pay the price to speak their mind with their humility, long-term commitment, and their love.

The HUMBLE BRAG

Sun, 05 May 2013 15:23:44 -0400

johnaaronbennett:

Subtly letting others now about how fantastic your life is while undercutting it with a bit of self-effacing humor or “woe is me” gloss.

@OfficialMsTila “I hate my lambo! Police is ALWAYS pulling me over just cuz its a lambo so they always think I’m speeding but I’m not!! Then they let me go!”

The HUMBLE BRAG

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:56:51 -0400

Subtly letting others now about how fantastic your life is while undercutting it with a bit of self-effacing humor or “woe is me” gloss.

@OfficialMsTila “I hate my lambo! Police is ALWAYS pulling me over just cuz its a lambo so they always think I’m speeding but I’m not!! Then they let me go!”

Let Them MARVEL

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:29:00 -0400

“By what power or by what name did you do this?” - Acts 4:7

Peter and John stood before a hostile Jewish council.

At this point, Jesus Christ, the Living God of Heaven, had been turned over to be ruthlessly butchered by men who should have known better. In doing so, the Jews helped hundreds of years worth of ancient prophecy (prophecies most of them had memorized) come true. Guilt must have seized their hearts as God darkened the land with a supernatural spectacle in the moments that Jesus died.

If that wasn’t enough, Jesus created chaos for the power-hungry when he slaughtered death - inconveniently rising from a grave that couldn’t hold Him.

Peter and John stood still on that day. These Jews had their worlds turned upside down. How relieved they must have been when Jesus stopped showing up… Maybe the last few months - the last few YEAR - would soon pass from memory.

But those pesky followers…

Peter and John were headed to the temple to pray, as centuries of Jews before them had done. On the way, a crippled man asked them for money. Rather than dropping some coin, these men unleashed the healing power of God. The man got up from his infirmity, and WALKED.

Acts 3:9-10 - And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter and John were just getting started. As a crowd amassed, certainly waiting for the next magic trick, these two Christ-followers began to preach the Gospel. The next thing you know, 5,000 men have been saved.

It was a busy day in Jerusalem.

That’s why Peter and John now stood before the council - the men who likely plotted the murder of Christ. They wanted to know the source of power on which these men relied. They got an ear full! Peter and John spoke up and said something like this: ”Our power comes from the ONE you’ve been waiting for, the ONE you were threatened by, the ONE you murdered, and the ONE you rejected. Your only hope of salvation is to be accepted by Him.”

Acts 4:13 - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

May we stay so close to Jesus that people MARVEL at His power.
May we remain so in love with the Gospel that the world will MARVEL at His grace.

KINGDOM COMEengagebp.com/messages The Kingdom of God. It’s...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:06:00 -0400

KINGDOM COME
engagebp.com/messages

The Kingdom of God. It’s a subject that Jesus spoke about constantly throughout the New Testament - over 30 times in the book of Luke alone!

What is the Kingdom of God? What does it look like, and when/how/where will the Kingdom Come?

Let’s take the adventure. We don’t have to wonder anymore.

What If.

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:53:04 -0500

What if you could hear directly from God today? What if His voice could pierce through everything you’re thinking/hearing/feeling. That would be cool. What would His voice sound like?

Deep?
Resonant?
Loud?
Scary?
Kind?

What would happen in your chest as you listened? What would you feel in your bones.

What if He said, “I need you to know something - I love you. Your existence is quite delightful. You’re maddening, but you’re mine. I made you. I loved you. I paid the price for you. I love you. I also need you to know that I made the universe. I invented DNA. I am Mighty. I am Victorious. I am Enough. I AM. Stop looking/striving/toiling. I’m here. I hate the junk in your life. It’s a waste and it gets in the way of my best. Get rid of it. And let’s do this! Feel the weight of this heavy love I have for you. Let it draw you. Let it push you. Let it change you. Open up to me. I want more than what you have to offer. I want you. So throw up your hands and give up, ‘cause I’ve got this. I got you. Because I love you. With a heavy, holy, life-changing love.”

What if God spoke that through the cosmos and into your heart? Tradition says, it would be nice, but it wouldn’t be enough. We’re stupid and thick-headed. Hence, the cross. Not only did Jesus pay the price, His obedience forever declared, “God’s love is big and this work is enough.”

So stare into the cross. Ponder it, till it starts to bother you in all the right ways.

I'm Not a Spiritual Capitalist

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:52:44 -0500

John 12:25-26 - Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Capitalism gets a lot of press these days. Simply stated, it means that I own stuff…not the government or anyone else. It means that the government works for me, and not the other way around.

As a social structure, Capitalism is oft debated. From a personal standpoint, I would say I have personally benefited from the ability to own stuff. In order to fuel an economy, Capitalism makes sense. It means that personal desire is the chief engine of my productivity. The idea is that if I want, I work. If I work, I can (have the chance) of having. Any good idea is ultimately critiqued based on an analysis of its extreme points of use. This begs the question, is it good to be greedy?

Jesus’s words in John 12 fly in the face of what I am comfortable hearing. There are times I want God to tell me that He just wants me to be happy… that He exists so that I can “Love My Life.” This can easily turn me into a spiritual capitalist. Not only do I want/desire/need material blessings, but I also want/desire/need everything to go my way…all the time.

This is not the message of the Gospel. Jesus tells us that the broken kingdom is never supposed to be that great. It a rotten, stinking, sin-soaked heap. Its filled with broken people who break things. The only redemptive elements (joy, peace, love) are borrowed glimpses from the Kingdom to Come.

Spiritual Capitalism makes me horde elements of this world. The constant call of Christ is to die to self, let go, and surrender. We all want abundant life. We don’t often realize that death is the key.

Megachurch-Oriented Cities Researched, Ranked by Barna Group

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:55:11 -0500

Megachurch-Oriented Cities Researched, Ranked by Barna Group:

cool article: The Barna Group has reported on the results of a survey of the most and least “megachurch-oriented” cities in the nation, i.e., cities which have the highest and lowest concentration of megachurch attenders among the Christians who live there.

"God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, “I know that this is..."

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:52:34 -0500

“God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, “I know that this is what I should do”-and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance. We show our ignorance of Him in the very way we decide to serve Him….Is that anything like the spirit of our Lord— “I delight to do Your will, O my God …” (Psalm 40:8).”

- Oswald Chamber, My Utmost for His Highest

Jesus Christ - Much More Than a Homeboy

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:45:36 -0500

I can’t stand the redefinition of Jesus. The life and message of Jesus Christ redefines US, not the other way around. Scripture reveals Jesus to be loving / holy / gracious / shocking and unpredictable.

see his words in John 7:7 - “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”

These are not the words of an approval-seeking homeboy. They are the words of a righteous savior who has come to redeem the residents of the rotten broken kingdom - to show them the way to life. I’ll take that over a homeboy any day.

"I am convinced that the greatest tragedy is not the sins we commit, but the life that we fail to..."

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:21:00 -0500

“I am convinced that the greatest tragedy is not the sins we commit, but the life that we fail to live.”

- Erwin McManus

Simple but not Easy - The Call of Christ

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:52:00 -0500

It was the rockstar point in his ministry. The crowds had been swelling to epic levels. Sick people were being healed. The religious elite were taking notice. This nobody carpenter from a nobody family was suddenly the only person that anybody could talk about.

One dusty day he was teaching on a hillside to thousands. Any ticket promoter would have been proud of this event. No one expected what would happen next: Jesus would miraculously put food in the belly of everyone person gathered on the hillside. The histeria of Jesus that followed was palpable. They were ready to make him king, by force if necessary.

He was the change they had been waiting for. The cough-curing, dead-raising, bread-giving King of their wildest dreams. They were right about the King…but they were wrong about the kingdom.

Jesus came to spread the message that the citizens of the broken kingdom could renounce their passports, and take up full-time residence in the Kingdom that is to Come. This was not the message they wanted, but it’s the one they should have expected. Jesus always meets people where they are, but His next words are always, “Follow Me.” It’s the same thing a fireman says to people in a burning building.

In John 6, Jesus grows frustrated with the people who still think the power struggle is all about the broken, burning kingdom.

In verse 22, He begins speaking to people in a way they didn’t expect. He turns to a crowd of people, most of whom had probably received free bread the day before. People who probably hoped to be at the front of the line for today’s pastry. He told them simply, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.”

Again, not exactly what they expected to hear. He went on to tell them that HE was this bread - not just any bread - but LIVING bread. Then came one of the most shocking statements in all of scripture. Verse 56, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drink my blood abides in me, and I in him.”

Out of context, these words of Christ could be twisted into a call to cannibalism. This was exactly the excuse that many took to justify walking away. The people who walk away from Jesus will always find a good reason.

The call of Christ is simple (come to me) but not easy (leave everything else behind). That’s what it takes to leave the broken, burning kingdom behind. But it’s worth it…times a billion.

The Gospel Changes Everything. You should probably listen to...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:30:51 -0500

The Gospel Changes Everything. You should probably listen to this song…but only if you want to be blessed / challenged.

What a Leader Brings...

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:30:06 -0500

As a leader, you’re not just bringing your talent, influence, and resources to the table. The most significant thing you bring is the blessing and anointing on your life. Never neglect your face-to-face time with God.

The End of Evil

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:46:40 -0500

Psalm 52:1 - Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.

The end of evil has come because the fullness of evil has been experienced. The wrath of God was poured out in its intensity on the cross…once and for all. Joy comes in the morning. I’m longing for the dawn.

1 Corinthians 15:55 - “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

When the Children Called Out

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:12:04 -0500

God’s people are notorious in their (our) rebellion. And yet…because of God’ mercy and grace, The Lord consistently responds to us when we call on Him. God’s favor isn’t based on the things that we’ve done. God doesn’t love a future version of us…God loves us.

In the book of Judges, we see an all-too-familiar story. After witnessing countless miracles, God’s people began to turn away. Not only did they begin practicing evil (you could argue that everyone slips now and again), they willfully began worshipping other gods.

Has anyone every betrayed you? What about a close friend or family member. I bet I can guess your response. At best you probably distance yourself from the betrayer until your anger begins to cool down. At worst, we are tempted with revenge. And yet - how does God respond?

As a result of their sin, God removed his supernatural protection from the Israelites…until they cried out.

Judges 3:9 - When the children of Israel called out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them.

It’s that simple.

The turning point in the whole story hinges on the simple phrase, “when the children called out.”

Notice what that passages doesn’t say.
- When the children called out…and said 1,000 “Hail Marys.”
- When the children called out…and crawled on their knees through broken glass
- When the children called out…and never let go of their guilt.

The grace of God is the most powerful redemptive force the world has ever known. How is activated? Simple.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” -Romans 10:13

Photo

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:25:23 -0400

Gospel Rest

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:13:38 -0400

Leviticus 23:24 - “…you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blasts of trumpets, a holy convocation.”

Its wonderful to realize how well our designer knows us. We live in a world that celebrates breathless activity and a ruthless pursuit of goals. This is an excellent ethic…but it can have its downside.

We are built to run out of gas - and that’s a good thing. God understands our need for true gospel rest. Rest, is the opposite of leisure activity. The things we use to “unplug” generally leave us filling overwhelmed and spent like never before. In fact, I’m beginning to think the term “leisure activity” is the greatest myth believe by many well intention Christians.

True Rest comes from pressing hard into Jesus. It means allowing the Living Water He’s placed in our lives to flow freely and uninhibited. There is honestly nothing like it. We have to be so conscious of it. Some of our most vulnerable times for spiritual attack are following a great spiritual victory? Why - because we’re spent. We need intentional periods of refreshing and rest.

Recently Andrea and I joined the Y. I’ve gotten the opportunity to go and workout about 4-5 times a week. When I go, I have been listening to some amazing podcasts. The combination of endorphins and good Gospel preaching have become an amazing combination. This is great, but its not Gospel rest.

The true rejuvenation I get in the Lord comes on my face before Him - in a quiet place. It’s when I open His scripture in an environment where I can focus. I begin reading, not just to be intellectually engaged, but to be filled. I am dry and empty vessel…but He gives a spring of life that will never run dry. And you can’t beat that.

Re-Post: 9 Things Every Leader Struggles With

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:18:00 -0400

[reposted from ChurchLeaders.com. Written by Perry Noble]

1. Feeling Adequate

Every single church leader I have ever spoken to wrestles with this; the one thing that I always come back to is II Corinthians 4:1, God’s mercy = my ministry! I am adequate not because of anything I have done but rather because God had mercy on me and called me to Himself. You are adequate because God called you…period!!!

2. Pride

Every single leader I know is going to deal with this one at some point; for me, anytime I am prideful, I find myself being led to I Corinthians 1:26-31 and I Corinthians 6:9-11! (James 4:6 is a good one, too!!!)

3. People Pleasing

Galatians 1:10 and Proverbs 29:25, plain and simple!

4. Delegation

One of the things that made Paul such a powerful and influential leader is that he delegated not just tasks…but ministry (see I Corinthians 4:17)! Jesus did the same thing as well (Luke 10:1-24)! If I want to be a leader like Jesus, I must learn to trust people–period!

5. Jealousy of Other Leaders

We deal with this because so many times we compare what they are doing to what we are doing, which is DANGEROUS because no one EVER wins the comparison game. The Apostle Paul warns in II Corinthians 10:12-13 that we should NOT look at what others are doing but rather whether or not we are being faithful with what God has called us to do!!!

One more thought on this…in the parable of the talents, one person received five, another received two, and the last guy received one. If the two talent person had spent time complaining and comparing with the five talent guy, then he would have been unable to produce any sort of harvest…but because he took stewardship of what he had been given, he stepped into a bigger blessing…because he refused to compare!

6. Confronting People When Necessary

If you LOVE confrontation then most likely you are a rear end that nobody likes!!! Confrontation is not fun…but is completely necessary if a church is going to maximize it’s potential and reach as many people as possible. Reality is that if you are at a leadership table and you disagree with something mentally then you have an obligation to disagree verbally–PERIOD! Not in a mean spirited or unkind way…but, with a humble and sincere approach.

The Apostle Paul had a pretty tough confrontation at one point…but we see in Galatians 2:11-14 that he did it. If you see something wrong with the church or with someone else and you do not confront them then you do not love them.

7. Insecurity

Every leader I know has dealt with insecurity at some point. One of the key verses that I’ve had to rely on during my most insecure moments is Philippians 1:6, that IF HE BROUGHT ME TO IT THEN HE WILL LEAD ME THROUGH IT!!! Insecure moments should not cause us to feel less secure about who we are but rather more secure in who God is!!! If He is with us (Isaiah 41:10) then we should lead and live like it.

8. Failure

There isn’t a leader on the planet that rolled out of bed this morning and said, “Dear Lord, I would love to just blow it today, would you please allow me to make a mistake SO HUGE that I never want to show my face again, amen!” No one wants to make a mistake, but, we do…two things to keep in mind regarding this…

If you are going to fail, fail forward (John Maxwell wrote an EXCELLENT book on this, if you have not read it I highly recommend it!) Proverbs 24:16 says that one of the distinguishing marks of a righteous person is that when they fall they get back up!!! In leadership it’s not whether or not we are going to fail…but whether or not we are going to fail forward!
ALSO…fear of failure is what holds most people back from taking a step of faith!!! But…Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God!! I believe what holds most churches back is a leaders lack of faith, we fear looking back more than we desire for the church to move forward…and so we hold back. Most of the time the failure comes NOT as a result of trying and not succeeding…but rather not trying at all!

9. Confidence

All of us, every single one of us struggle with confidence in our leadership. Two things here…

The same God who was IN THE BIBLE performing miracles and overcoming obstacles IS WITH US TODAY!!! (Hebrews 13:8!) So many times we get so focused on who God was and what He will be like in heaven that we lose sight of the fact that HE IS AWESOME RIGHT NOW!!!

When it comes to preaching and leading…when we “do it by the book” then it will ALWAYS bring back a harvest (Isaiah 55:8-13).

If you want to dive into these things a little deeper then you can go to itunes and download the August edition of the Perry Noble leadership podcast for free…we took a look at all nine of these and broke them down in more detail.

find this article in its original posting at: http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/162630-9-things-every-leader-struggles-with-and-how-to-overcome-them.html