Servanthood Evangelism

By Dr. David Wheeler, Professor of Evangelism Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

The Importance of Relationships in Sharing the Gospel

The highest calling is not a call to full time ministry, but to be a Christian. Every one of us is a minister and has a ministry within his or her own sphere of relationships. 

Wherever you go, you represent Jesus. You are an Ambassador of Christ!

• In the workplace 

• In the neighborhood

• At school 

• Out shopping

• Wherever you go on a daily basis!

Seven Key Patterns of Relationships 

The Key Word in Servanthood Evangelism is RELATIONSHIPS

• Relationship 1 (inner circle): Self

• Relationship 2: Family

• Relationship 3: Relatives

• Relationship 4: Friends

• Relationship 5: Neighbors

• Relationship 6: Acquaintances

• Relationship 7: Person X

What is Servanthood Evangelism?

• Servanthood Evangelism is intentionally sharing Christ by modeling biblical servanthood.

• Servanthood Evangelism is a combination of simple acts of kindness and intentional personal/relational evangelism.

Biblical Basis for Servanthood Evangelism

“…the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve…”

“…whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”

Strengths of Servanthood Evangelism

1. It is effective in reaching people in today’s culture; is easily adaptable.

2. It provides the opportunity for personal/relational evangelism in a natural mode of fellowship and community. You are not alone!!!

3. It defines our primary mission and creates a positive impression.

4. It is low-risk evangelism, thus it provides an entry-level way to involve EVERYONE in the ministry of outreach.

5. It’s fun! 

6. It allows us to impact where we live, work and play!

7. It encourages us to become 24/7 Christians!

8. Most importantly, Servanthood Evangelism exemplifies the ministry model and passion of Jesus. 

The Bottom Line

People will not believe the TRUTH,
Until they first see His Life and TRUTH
consistently demonstrated through us!
Remember: PEOPLE are the focus!

For more information or to obtain a downloadable copy of the Servanthood Manuel contact Dr. David Wheeler: dwheeler2@liberty.edu

Five Undeniable Harvest Principles

By Dr. Jerry Pipes and Dr. David Wheeler

"I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields
are already white for harvest."
John 4:34b

1. Plow the Fields

The first thing we must acknowledge is the basic need to plow the fields through prayer. As Psalm 126:5 says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with joyful shouting” (NASB). The disciples in obedience spent 10 days praying and awaiting the arrival of the Holy Spirit beginning in Acts 1:14. It is shocking how few congregations have an ongoing prayer ministry that includes consistent intercession for the people who don’t know Jesus. In most cases, prayer lists are filled with local church needs of all kinds, especially physical. Effective evangelistic churches have vibrant prayer ministries that include praying for lost people.*  

2. Water and Cultivate

This leads to the second basic principle, which is to water and cultivate the soil through ministry/servant evangelism and building and deepening sharing relationships. In a culture where relationships are elusive but essential, Christians must learn to befriend neighbors, co-workers and clients walk with them through daily life. Some people call this pre-evangelism or pre-discipleship; either way, it is vitally important. Too many Christ followers spend way too much time with other Christians to the exclusion of befriending lost people. We are way too easily offended by the non-believers—we are way too critical – we tend to forget that lost people act lost because they are LOST! Bottom Line . . . we need to look for opportunities to bring the people who don’t know Jesus into our lives – to let them see that Jesus makes a huge difference!

3. Plant the Seeds

The third principle requires consistently planting the seeds of the Gospel through personal evangelism. In most cases, it is popular to blame the culture for declining results. The truth is, the greatest way to kill the harvest is to ignore the plowing and planting. Once again, look back at Psalm 126. It says in verse 6, “He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (NASB). In Acts 2 the 120 in the upper room sowed the seeds of the gospel by scattering about the city sharing their stories in languages they had never learned. Effective evangelistic churches average utilize three to five different personal evangelism training methods to equip their members to share Christ where they live, work and play.*

4. Communicate the Claims of Christ

The fourth is to clearly and compellingly communicate the claims of Christ. You have to look no further than Acts 2. After a 10-day prayer movement (plowing through prayer), the 120 in the upper room scattered about the city sharing their stories in languages they had never learned (planting the seeds through personal evangelism), and then Peter preached the gospel and gave an invitation. The result—the Harvest! Over 3,000 said yes to the Claims of Jesus and were baptized.

Effective evangelistic churches are marked by three common characteristics:

• They have a vibrant prayer ministry that includes praying for lost people.

• They utilize three to five personal evangelism training processes to equip their members to share Christ.

• They dot their calendars with five to seven attractional events where the gospel is shared clearly and compellingly.*

5. Multiply Through Biblical Discipleship

The fifth principle is multiplication through biblical discipleship. Too often the church sees discipleship as merely passing on information . . . teaching new believers how to personalize the Bible, about baptism, prayer, becoming a good church member, etc. While all of that is important; the key to genuine discipleship is to help the new believer to become a multiplying evangelistic disciple maker. In other words; be intentional to train the person how to share the gospel and make disciples.

*Our next blog will reveal the research on Effective Evangelistic Churches

Choosing a Winning Attitude (Chapter two of "Communication Is")

Communication Is

by Dr. Jerry Pipes
©2018

Chapter Two 

CHOOSING A WINNING ATTITUDE

A cheerful heart is good medicine;
A downcast spirit dries up the bones.¹
Solomon

The first and most important step in taking responsibility for your communication is starting every day by choosing a winning attitude. This critical choice becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy both for us, and those we touch. First, a cheerful heart is good medicine for us. It will brighten our day and become the lens through which we see whatever comes our way. Likewise a downcast spirit will darken our day and cast a shadow across the circumstances we face. Second, the attitude we choose for the day will either draw people to us (add light) or push them away (add darkness). 

I had a great friend who was checking in for a flight at the Atlanta airport. Just in case you were wandering, when we die and go to Heaven, we will have to go through the Atlanta airport…just kidding! The gentleman two people in front of my friend had obviously not chosen a winning attitude. He was cussing out the baggage handlers, calling them every horrible name in the book (I won’t repeat the profanity…at this point he had not even met them), referring to them as lazy, incompetent and responsible for everyone in the line missing their flights. When it was his turn, he continued the abuse in person. The skycap responded graciously, apologetically and gave him what could only be described as “AAA” service. The angry customer steamed off without making eye contact or tipping the skycap. 

When it was his turn, my friend looked into the eyes of the baggage handler and asked, “What’s your secret? That man berated you and treated you like a dog, and yet you were so incredibly nice in return.” The skycap responded, “It was easy, that man is getting on a plane headed for Miami, his two bags are going to Cleveland.” The man chose a “losing attitude” that resulted in angry abusive behavior, which spilled out on everyone he touched, and became a self-fulfilling prophecy…the result, his “bad day” got even worse.

 I love this quote from Dr. Charles R. Swindoll!

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.²

The words of Solomon and this amazing quote are so true! The attitude we chose to play, positive or negative drives the communication in all our relationships, family members, friends, co-workers, clients and acquaintances. Zig Ziglar said it this way, “When you choose to be pleasant and positive in the way you treat others, you have also chosen, in most cases, how you are going to be treated by others.”³ Do you remember, Eeyore? He saw the world through a negative lens. His cup was always half empty, the days were always dying in the west and no one wanted to be around him. It has been well said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”⁴ As for me, I am going to choose daily to play a positive attitude, with a cup that’s half full, a future that’s bright and an outlook that no matter what comes—my God is bigger still! 

I like (love is probably a better word) coffee! Great coffee requires four things: a quality brewer, filtered water, bold fresh ground coffee beans and a perfectly textured filter. Most miss the importance of the filter; the thickness and texture has to be just right. It has to be thick enough to keep out all the grounds, but thin enough to allow the rich flavor of the fresh ground coffee to flow through. A positive-winning attitude serves in the same way in facilitating healthy communication. 

In the first chapter on Taking Responsibility we discussed the fact that as human beings we possess the ability to separate stimulus and response. As people, we have the power to filter what happens to us through our faith, values and what we are learning in life. The daily decision of choosing and developing a winning attitude is the first step in strengthening the filter that makes it possible to be a responder rather than a reactor. 

The Mitchell Family

Dinner was awkward after Steven lost his temper over their mess. Steven felt like he had ruined the evening and tried to compensate with forced conversation. Megan’s anger was palpable tonight, despite her efforts to mask it in silence. Jacob was more talkative but responded to his father with sarcasm, a habit that bothered Renee. She never addressed it with Jacob because she knew he was merely copying her own behavior. Renee never yelled, something she prided herself on, but her words cut to the bone and, if looks could kill, her family would be in danger most nights. As the kids walked upstairs Steven put his arm around Renee and guided her to the study for what he knew would be a serious discussion. This was not how they wanted their family to work. Steven spoke first. 

“Renee, I’m sorry I lost my temper with the kids. Today was a stressful day at work with this new position. When I walked inside and saw the mess it pushed me over the edge. ” 

“Steven, we have been snapping at each other far too often. Our kids are shutting us out and the atmosphere in our home is toxic. I know that I’m not blameless in this. I work with my faculty, my students and their families all day and I am tired. After fixing other people’s problems I have no desire to deal with anything else. We have to figure out a way to make things better at home. If family is our first priority like we claim, then why can’t we give each other the same effort that we give our jobs? ” 

The question lingered in the air for a moment as Steven tried to come up with an answer. He had to admit that he controlled his temper far better at work than he did at home. Renee also had to acknowledge that she treated her faculty and students with more kindness than she treated her own family on tough days. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the pamphlet from Steven’s company retreat they attended sitting on his desk. The memory of those planning seminars gave her an idea. She handed the pamphlet to Steven and said, “We strategize for our careers and encourage our employees to set goals and be positive. Why would our family be any different? Let’s make a plan on how we can improve our family life. Constant arguments are not what I want our kids to remember.” 

Steven turned the pamphlet over in his hands with a smile. Strategy was something he could wrap his head around. For just a moment, he felt hope that things could be better. 

Solomon on How to Choose a Winning Attitude

Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.⁵

The message of Solomon is clear and really very simple—Get Wisdom! We change our attitude, the way we think, feel and respond, by changing what goes into our minds and hearts. Please re-read Solomon’s words above and notice the intentionality and diligence required to implement them. The only way we can change a negative attitude into a positive one is by getting wisdom. Doing so will not only change what we think, but the way we think. Getting wisdom will change the lens through which we see what’s really important in life. A winning attitude will result in the increased ability to relate to the people we care about based on our life purpose and core values. 

In the first chapter, we discussed that healthy relationships are made up of healthy growing people. Solomon has given us a path on how to get healthy—Get Wisdom. Remember, the daily decision of choosing and developing a winning attitude is the first and essential step in strengthening the filter that makes it possible to be a healthy responder rather than an unhealthy reactor. 

Here are a few practical pointers for a lifetime of getting wisdom: 

• Read the book of Proverbs monthly. It is the greatest book in the world on communication. There are 31 days in most months and 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. In five short minutes a day, you will be getting Solomon’s awesome wisdom on communication. 
• Read great books. If you choose not to read you are no better off than one who can’t read. It’s like choosing a self-imposed illiteracy. If you have not been reading, begin with a goal of one book a month. An occasional novel is fine, but primarily read biographies of those who have accomplished much in life along with quality self-help books. 
• Listen to great talks, audiobooks, and pod casts while in the car and during your workouts. 
• Attend great conferences. 
• Surround yourself with positive, healthy growing people—show me your friends and I will show you your future. 
• Make the most of educational opportunities. 
• Engage in problem solving and life planning. 
• Laugh every day. Look for the humor in life. 

Whether you choose these items or a set of your own—getting wisdom is critical to developing and maintaining a positive attitude. The results of doing so will be an increased ability to take responsibility in your relationships and the power to become a better and more sensitive responder to those you care about. 

The Decision to Get Wisdom

Let’s admit it, implementing the above list or a similar one is not going to be easy. It will probably require changes in your schedule, habits and time management. The reality is, most people stop learning and growing after their formal education ends. There are two primary reasons for this; First, an unwillingness to pay the price. Deeply desiring healthy communication and relationships is not enough…it takes hard work! The second reason is television. In most homes, the television is on forty to forty-forty five hours each week. I’m not suggesting you not have a television, but that you ask yourself this question: How do I use this powerful medium to serve my values, accomplish my purpose and help me grow to my maximum potential? Time management and implementing a personal growth plan is one of the most important decisions you will ever make! 

Here is a recap—the first step to genuine communication is Taking Responsibility. The second step is the daily decision of choosing and developing a Winning Attitude. A positive attitude is the direct result of changing the way we think by getting wisdom through establishing and implementing a personal growth plan. 

The process will require hard work and discipline, but the rewards of developing healthy growing relationships with those you love and care about are worth the effort.

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¹ Proverbs 17:22, Revised Standard Version

² Charles R. Swindoll, Essay on Attitude, (Frisco: Insight for Living)

³ Zig Ziglar, Little Book of Big Quotes, (Dallas: Ziglar Inc.), page 5

⁴ Winston Churchill, The actual source of this quote is unclear, most attribute it to Winston Churchill

⁵ Proverbs 4:20-23, The Message

Taking Responsibility (Chapter one of "Communication Is")

Communication Is

by Dr. Jerry Pipes
©2018

Chapter One

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

A wise man ponders how to answer;
the mouth of a fool pours out evil things.¹
Solomon

I had the amazing privilege of having an awesome dad. My brother, sisters and I learned many great life principles from him. He taught us the value of discipline, hard work, loyalty, integrity, and later in life, the importance of faith. My dad had the heart of a teddy bear, but the exterior of a Sergeant in the Marines. Maybe that would be because he was a Sergeant in the Marines. To say he had a short fuse would be the understatement of the decade. He had an explosive temper! Dad would say some of the most horrible, cutting, sarcastic and caustic things to my mom and us kids. He didn’t really mean the hurtful comments and later would not even be able to remember he said them. Dad’s explanation: “I’ve always had a bad temper…it’s just the way I am.” 

During speaking engagements around the world I have heard countless people make comments like those of my father, “I have a bad temper, my dad had a bad temper, as did his dad before him. God made me this way, I can’t help it!”  Later in this chapter we will discuss the three major theories of the world on why we are the way we are. You will learn in this discussion that while all three of these influence our behavior; they do NOT determine our choices.

Meet the Mitchell Family

Steven- Dad, hot tempered, works at a marketing firm, manages a creative team that is currently seeking to win a contract with a major food distributer

Renee- Mom, High school principal, passive aggressive, struggles to actively listen to her kids after long days dealing with students and teachers

Jacob- Only son, a junior in high school

Megan- Only daughter, a freshman in high school

Typical Evening in the Mitchell Home

Steven tried desperately to decompress while driving home from work, knowing that his family was waiting for him at home. Today had been stressful, with his team’s presentation only a week away, and Steven knew it was his last chance to prove his worth as the newest marketing director. Pulling into the driveway, he took one deep breath to calm his nerves before starting the evening with his wife, Renee, and teenagers Jacob and Megan. Although he considered himself a good Dad, Steven had trouble leaving work at the office and often lost his temper at home. Opening the door slowly, he slipped into the house to find cleats and gym bags strewn by the door. “How many times have I asked them to put their gear away when they get home? Can’t these kids show some respect?” he thought. Annoyance rising in the pit of his stomach, Steven walked towards the living room to ask the kids to clean up. Megan, sitting on the couch, was playing on her phone while Jacob and Renee argued over class schedules. Nobody seemed to notice, or care, that Steven was home from work. Feeling unappreciated, he snapped, “Go clean up now! Maybe if I make you pay for your own equipment you would actually take care of it. I’m sick and tired of repeating myself. GO!” Megan moved first, passing her father by without making eye contact. Jacob, rolling his eyes, said “Nice to see you too Dad.” Renee, a high school principal and the more patient parent, muttered, “We will talk later.” Steven retreated to his office knowing, for the rest of the evening, everyone would be tense.

The first step in Healthy Communication is Taking Responsibility

President Harry Truman had a famous plaque on his desk that simply read, “The Buck Stops Here.” The first step in changing the way you relate to others is to accept responsibility for the way you communicate today. To say in the words of President Truman, regarding your communication with others, the buck stops with you!

Andy Andrews, best selling author and speaker, said it this way in writing on success in life (which by the way, includes success in communication), 

Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss or my employees for my present situation. Neither my education or lack of one, my genetics, or the circumstantial ebb and flow of every day life will affect my future in a negative way. If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught up in a web of the past…I take responsibility for my past. I am where I am today because of the decisions I have made. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. Today I will begin the process of changing where I am by changing the way that I think.²

Despite all the wisdom in these words, many in the academic world would argue that our behavior is determined by forces outside our control; that there is no such thing as “free will” or “the freedom to choose.” Let’s examine these three theories. 

Three Major Theories

Genetic Determinism—This means that our ancestors determine our behavior through the genetic code passed from one generation to the next. Many people today accept this theory at face value. For example, a lady I worked with once told me, “My mother had a short fuse and her mother had a bad temper; I inherited it.” With this statement, she relieved herself of the responsibility of venting on the people she loved the most. “I can’t help it; this runs in the family.” No one would disagree that genetics powerfully influence us. Many of the wonderful physical traits and talents we posses come genetically from our ancestors. However, they do not determine us. Here’s the rest of the story on the illustration above, the same woman who was unable to control her anger and responses at home chose to behave differently in the workplace because she knew the public display of her anger could bring severe consequences. She was influenced, but not determined, by genetics.

Psychic Determinism—This is the Freudian idea that the “child is father to the man.” This theory presupposes that the way we are raised by our parents during the first five or six years of our lives determines our behavior as adults. Again, there is no question that these early years influence us greatly, but they do not determine us. We can choose our response to those influences. As mentioned earlier, I grew up with a dad who displayed very little self control related to his anger. Yet my wife, Debra, and I made two major commitments to each other prior to our marriage: First, we would never say anything to each other we did not absolutely mean. Second, we would not let the sun go down on our anger with each other. We have honored these commitments. As people, we have the freedom to learn, grow, change and choose.

Social Determinism—If you have ever studied psychology, you will recognize the letters SR or stimulus response. You have probably heard of Pavlov’s Dog. Behaviorists repeatedly ring a bell while feeding a dog. Eventually, every time the dog hears a bell, its saliva glands begin to work due to the association of a ringing bell and being fed. They call this stimulus response and suggest that just like animals we are similarly determined through this process. Again, I disagree! The power to choose means that as humans, we have the power to separate the stimulus from our response. There is no question that stimulus influences us and, at times, powerfully. But it does not determine us.

While all three of these theories powerfully impact us as human beings, we have the ability to respond to any person or situation based on our values. Healthy families, businesses, churches and friendships are made up of learning and growing individuals who exercise and develop their “ability to choose.” 

The Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon clearly sides with Taking Responsibility for the communication process and relating in a healthy way with family, co-workers, clients and friends. He said, "A wise man ponders how to answer; the mouth of a fool pours out evil things.” Notice that a wise man “ponders” how to how to answer—responder. Also note that a fool “pours out evil things” in answering—reactor. These incredible words from the wisest man that ever lived teach us that we as human beings have the ability to choose our response, not just to react. Webster defines responder and reactor this way:

• Responder/Response: Something that is said or written as a reply to something
• Reactor/React: to behave or change in a particular way when something happens, is said, etc. i.e. When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger.

Solomon doubles down on this truth with these words, “A fool gives full vent to his anger—(reactor), but a wise man quietly holds it back—(responder).”³ Did you see the Wisdom of Solomon in these words? People are wired with the skill to separate stimulus and response. When faced with a difficult conversation or challenging circumstances, growing healthy people have the ability to filter the situation through their values, character, what they are learning in life and then choose to respond accordingly.

If Solomon could have a one on one conversation with you or me concerning communication and relating to family, friends, co-workers or clients, he would simply begin with “Take Responsibility.”

Wise Warnings From Solomon

Solomon has more than a few wise warnings for those who refuse to take responsibility for their harsh and cutting communication.

Rash words are like a sword thrust, the tongue of the wise brings healing.⁴

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.⁵

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.⁶

Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget. Mean spirited leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew.⁷

These warnings are sobering to say the least for those who choose not to take responsibility for their communication. If you continue to toss verbal hand grenades into tense situations with your family, co-workers, clients and friends there will be a heavy price to pay. 

There is a stiff price to pay for not taking responsibility:

• Rash words are like a sword thrust
• Cutting words wound and maim
• A sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire
• Mean spirited leaders are like mad dogs

There are great rewards for taking responsibility:

• The tongue of the wise brings healing
• Kind words heal and help
• A gentle response defuses anger 
• The good-natured are like fresh morning dew

Wow! The benefits of taking responsibility for our communication are amazing: We all desire healthy relationships with the people we love and care about. Relationships that last are marked by effective listening, true understanding, genuine concern and a positive path for conflict resolution. Solomon promises all of these if we will simply take responsibility for how we communicate. 

Here is a great question for all of us to ask ourselves continuously: How much do we value the well being of our family, co-workers, clients and friends? I sense the answer for all of us is that we greatly value those we love and care about, and I feel certain Solomon would say to each of us, “they are worth it, take responsibility.”

In the next nine chapters you will learn the secrets of success in Taking Responsibility for your communication. When these truths are fully integrated into your everyday life, your relationships with those you love and care about will not only survive, but also thrive.

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¹ Proverbs 18:28, Revised Standard Version

² Andy Andrews, The Responsible Decision PDF, (andyandrews.com/downloads) Selected quotes.

³ Proverbs 29:11, Revised Standard Version

⁴ Proverbs 12:18, Revised Standard Version

⁵ Proverbs 15:4, The Message

⁶ Proverbs 15:1, The Message

⁷ Proverb 19:11-12, The Message

Communication Is

Dr. Jerry Pipes
@Copyright 2018 Jerry Pipes Productions

Just Imagine a church or business where there is:
●    A Culture of Encouragement
●    True Communication—focused on adding value to others
●    A Positive Atmosphere and a Spirit of Adventure
●    Members or workers who are committed to Understanding First…Speaking Second
●    Healthy Conflict Resolution
●    And more…

This new volume is born out of the book of Proverbs. It is communication according to the Wisdom of Solomon. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, atheist, etc., virtually everyone recognizes the Wisdom of Solomon. He is widely known as the wisest man that ever lived. So, what does Solomon have to say about communication? Below is the basic outline of the book along with key references. In future blogs we will be exploring these key points. 

Communication Is:

1. Taking Responsibility…Being a Responder not a Reactor (Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 15:1)
2. Choosing a Winning Attitude (Proverbs 17:22)
3. Understanding First…Speaking Second (Proverbs 18:13)
4. Adding Value to Others (Proverbs 18:24, 27:17)
5. Creating a Culture of Encouragement (Proverbs 15:23)
6. All About Integrity (Proverbs 19:1, 11:13)
7. Saying Only What You Mean (Proverbs 12:18)
8. Learning to Duck (Proverbs 19:11)
9. Resolving Conflict…Keeping Relationships Current (Proverbs 10:10, 6:12-19)
10. For Learners (Proverbs 4:4-8, 24:3-6)

Goal Setting for 2018

You are a special person of great worth, created in the very image of God for His special plan and purpose. I love what Zig Ziglar says about you, “You were born to win, engineered for success and are endowed with seeds of greatness.” God’s Word, the Bible, puts it this way, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” What an amazing truth, your body is the place where the God of the universe dwells through His Holy Spirit. That means you have a huge opportunity and responsibility to take care of your temple, physically, mentally, emotionally socially and spiritually. Reaching your potential in 2018 will in large part, depend on how well you take care of what God has entrusted to you…your body. Read God’s warning for those who don’t do this, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is Holy and that temple you are.” Sounds serious doesn’t it? It is, so here is a comprehensive plan for successfully taking care of your temple in 2018. 

Physical—developing and maintaining a healthy body

This requires a healthy diet in addition to physical exercise three or four times a week for thirty minutes each time. While the physical benefits are good, the greatest benefits are emotional, which results in the reduction of stress and an enhanced self-esteem. A good physical workout should include:

• Endurance—aerobic exercises, getting your heart rate up and keeping it up for twenty minutes, three to four times per week through biking, swimming, walking or jogging.

• Flexibility—stretching before and after aerobic exercise.

• Strength—toning through calisthenics or weights.

Before dieting and beginning an exercise regimen, see your doctor for a physical to make sure there are no health issues that would make the above suggestions dangerous for you. Also, ask your doctor to help you determine a healthy weight that is right for you. We live in a society that glorifies idealistic (too thin) body images. Setting an unrealistic weight goal will result in frustration, failure and possibly an eating disorder.  

Mental/Emotional—developing a personal growth plan

If you want to change your behavior in any way, you must start by changing the way you think. The Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The problem is most people stop learning and growing after their formal education ends. There are two primary reasons for this; laziness and television. In most homes, the television is on forty to forty-five hours each week. It imperceptibly shapes your values and is addictive. If you don’t think so, just try to do without it for thirty days. Ask yourself this question: How do I use this powerful medium to serve my values, accomplish my purpose and help me grow to mymaximum potential? After you deal with the television issue, develop and implement a personal growth plan. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make! Just think, except for the books you read, the places you go, experiences you have, the close friendships you develop, you will be the same person in thirty years that you are today.

The following are suggestions to consider in developing a personal growth plan:

• Read great books. If you choose not to read you are no better off than one who can’t read. It’s like choosing a self-imposed illiteracy. If you have not been reading, begin with a goal of a book a month. An occasional novel is fine, but read great biographies and self-help books as well. 

• Listen to great talks, audiobooks, and pod casts while in the car and during your workouts. 

• Attend great conferences.

• Make the most of your education.

• Engage in problem solving and planning.

• Laugh every day. Look for the humor in life.

Social—developing a positive environment

People you spend a lot of time with have a huge impact on your life. Give me fifteen minutes with your closest friends and I will be able to tell much about where your heart really is. Those with whom we spend the bulk of our time have more to do with the way we think, feel, act and react than almost any other factor. Ask yourself often: Does my environment serve my purpose and values? Do the people I spend time with and the places I go help or hinder me in being what I dream to be?

Spiritual—developing the leadership of your life

It is not enough to have a relationship with Christ; you must spend time developing that relationship. Paul said it this way, “We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Paul identified the goal of our growth in this vital relationship as, “The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” As you develop your relationship with Christ you will be developing your character, core values, and making critical decisions concerning your purpose and worldview. Here are a few suggestions to consider:

• Start every day alone with God in prayer and in His Word, the Bible.

• Personalize God’s Word by: Reading it every day, taking good notes when you hear it taught, studying it every week, memorizing a verse a week, and meditating on it always.

• Develop a powerful prayer life.

• Surround yourself with a great supporting cast of friends who will help you accomplish your dreams.

• Ask God for daily opportunities to share your faith in Christ with others.

• Develop a personal mission statement—decide what you want to accomplish in life.

• Develop goals from your mission statement and strategies to reach them.

Dear God, I praise You that You alone are God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Thank you for making me one of a kind. Help me to have a soft heart for you and to be sensitive to Your leadership so I can accomplish Your plan and purpose for today.

Special Christmas Message

It was just a small, white envelope on the family Christmas tree. It all began because my husband, Mike, hated the commercial aspects of Christmas. I decided to search for something special just for him. 

Our son was on the wrestling team at his school. Shortly before Christmas, there was a match against an inner-city church team. These youngsters, dressed in thread bare shoes and uniforms, presented a sharp contrast to our boys’ in their spiffy new uniforms. We took every weight class. Mike shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. 

That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes, and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, note inside, telling Mike what I had done, and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. 

Each Christmas, I followed the tradition. The envelope became the highlight of Christmas. As the children grew the envelope never lost its allure. We lost Mike last year to cancer. When Christmas rolled around, grief stricken, I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree only to find it was joined by three more, one from each of our three children.

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10

Lord—help the way I love and give to others to become contagious!

Dealing With the Pain of a Prodigal

Jacob’s friends are sitting in the car, honking the horn, and yelling obnoxiously, “come on Jacob, let’s go! You don’t need that garbage anymore.” 

Jacob stands literally on the threshold of the home where he has grown up, his bags under one arm, his other arm around his crying mother. Dad is in the foyer, his hands on his hips, with a look that shares anger and hurt. You KNOW this is wrong, Jacob. You’re going to get yourself killed with those crazy people. “They’re not crazy, they’re my friends.”

Jacob pulls away from his mother, gives his father one last desperate glance, and races—as unsure of himself as he’s ever been, but unable to stop—toward his carload of buddies. “The rules at home choke me,” he thinks as he throws his stuff in the trunk.  “I’ve got to make my own way, I can’t be what they want me to be.”

Jacob jumps in the back seat. “All right! Good move,” Jacob’s new friend, Brian says as he pulls a beer out of the bag. “This one is on me.” And they drive away.

I’ve heard thousands of stories like these over three decades of working with parents around the world. Routinely parents ask questions like this one: “We have listened to you and others teach parenting from God’s Word…while we haven’t been perfect parents, we certainly have been genuine in modeling our faith and applying Biblical principles for parenting. Yet, we have a child who is rebelling in major ways and has walked away from his or her faith in Christ?”  They usually continue with this final question: “What about God’s promise in Proverbs 22:6?” One of the most misunderstood references in God’s Word is Proverbs 22:6. It reads, “Train up a child in the way he ought to go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

This verse has been misunderstood for two reasons:

1. Proverbs is a book of wisdom expressed in the form of probabilities. When we do A and B…C is the natural result. Proverbs 22:6 is a probability, not an ironclad promise. It means that when parents train up their children in the way they ought to go, that overwhelmingly, 95 times out of a hundred, when their children are old they will not depart from their heritage. Were Proverbs 22:6 a promise, then our children would have no choice in responding to the claims of Christ and choosing to win in life. Their future would be entirely determined by the great choices of an amazing set of parents.  

2. Proverbs 22:6 says, “…when they are old…” Most teenagers and young adults go through a period of questioning and even rebellion. In many cases, this period of questioning results in their childhood beliefs becoming their own faith. God can use poor decisions to teach lessons at any stage of life. Many young adults emerge from rebellion knowing their belief in God is no longer based on their parents, but on genuine faith.   

If you have a prodigal and feel like you have failed as a parent, please remember the rest of the story is yet to be written. Just think---Dr. Billy Graham experienced the pain of a prodigal son. His son, Franklin Graham, rebelled for a time, yet he emerged on the other side as a champion for Christ. He now is President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. Jim Cymbala, best-selling author and pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, also experienced the heartache of a prodigal. However, his daughter became a strong Christ-follower and pastor’s wife. If you are experiencing the agony of a prodigal, remember you are not alone and your child’s story is far from finished.

Nine Words Women Use

1. FINE:
   This is a word woman use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
    
2. FIVE MINUTES:
   If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
    
3. NOTHING:
   This is the calm before the storm. This means something and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in Fine.
    
4. GO AHEAD:
   This is a dare, not permission. Don’t do it!
    
5. LOUD SIGH:
   This is actually not a word, but a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you’re an idiot and wonders why she is standing here arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing).
    
6. THAT’S OKAY:
   This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man! That’s Okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
    
7. THANKS:
   A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add in a clause here…This is true unless she says “Thanks a lot”—that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say, “you’re welcome”.
   That will bring on a ‘WHATEVER’.
    
8. WHATEVER:
   This a woman’s way of saying forget it, I don’t have any more time to waste on you.
    
9. DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT:
   Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something a woman has asked a man to do and is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking ‘What’s wrong?’ For the woman’s response refer to #3-NOTHING.

Living Plan B: A Lesson from Exodus

By Ray Pritchard

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.

-Exodus 13:17-18

Some time ago I heard the following statement on the radio and thought it was worth passing along: "The key to success in life is how well you adapt to Plan B." There is a world of truth in that simple sentence. So many of us go through life frustrated because we're still working on Plan A. That's the one where everything works out, where your marriage lasts forever, where your children grow up without any problems, where you climb to the top of the career ladder, where everyone loves you, where all your dreams come true and you live happily ever after. Plan A is life the way we all thought it would be. It's life with a happy ending.

Unfortunately, Plan A rarely pans out. Life isn't that simple, or that easy. Check out Exodus 13:17-21. When the children of Israel left Egypt, God did not lead them by the shorter coastal route to the Promised Land. Instead, he led them south into the wilderness. No doubt there was some grumbling and murmuring. Why go the long way? Why not take the road that goes along the seashore? Answer: The Philistines lived along the coast and God wanted to spare the Jews from having to fight them and be tempted to return to Egypt. What seemed like a detour turned out to be for their benefit. In this case, Plan B was better.

What's Plan B? It's the reality that your divorce is final and your marriage is over. It's the reality that your first career choice was a mistake and now it's time to start over. It's the reality that you don't have the money to buy the bigger house you want. It's the truth that you have cancer and your future is uncertain. It's the understanding that some people who seemed to be close friends aren't going to be there for you when you really need them. It's the reality that your dreams aren't going to come true, at least not in the way you expected.

Born in poverty and educated at home, he failed in his first business venture, ran for office the next year and was defeated, failed in yet another business, had a nervous breakdown, and was defeated in five more elections. But he never gave up, and in 1860 he was elected president.

Plan A not working out for you? Don't despair. Plan A rarely works out. Your success in life is largely determined by how well you adapt to Plan B. Just ask Abraham Lincoln, the greatest Plan B president in American history.

Editor's note: This content came from the original article: Plan B Living. Content provided by Keep Believing Ministries.