Trust matters

I read a quote this morning from Stephen Covey in his book "The Speed of Trust":

"Results matter! They matter to your credibility. They matter to your ability to establish and maintain trust with others."

I went to a class last evening that dealt wth our roles in improving the people around us. Five keys that we talked about were:

1. Setting clear expectations. These must be communicated and brought clearly into focus. Targets and goals need to be in view for us to set our aim.

2. Create conditions for success. The decisions I make today need to be in line with my stated expectations. Staying the course and supporting leadership are some of those conditions.

3. Hold the system accountable. This means that I need to use data and monitor my progress. Applying pressure for accountability is not always pleasant but it pays great dividends.

4. Build goodwill in those around us. They need to be able to see what I think is urgent and that I carry this thing called "hope" in large enough measure to give some to them.

5. Learn together with the team. The conversations I have today will be sources of learning. If I have a commitment to improve, I will deliberately grow.

At the center of all this is my need to have a passion for and trust in God. When I have a passion for God, it creates a passion for other things. The way I steward the "other things" will be the real test of the authenticity of my love for God. In other words, The things we give ourselves to today will prove how much we really love God.

First John 4:20 tells us that if we love God it will be measurable by our love for people.

The Sap

Two thoughts from my devotional reading this morning from the book: “With Christ in the school of prayer” by Andrew Murray.

“It is Fatherlike love that awakens Childlike trust”

“We are like a branch that is already filled with the sap of the vine and is crying for the continued and increasing flow of the sap. Just as the branch needs more sap to bring its fruit to perfection, the believer, rejoicing in the possession of the Spirit, still thirsts and cries for more.”

It is good to remember that the desire of God is that we be filled abundantly. I don’t deserve any of that sap that gives life. But it is mine because of the Father-child relationship I have with God through Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the reminder.

Nothing but the Truth

I was doing some leadership reading this morning and was reminded that the top wrung of the ladder, if we are wanting to be successful, is honesty. It amazes me when I visit with people who compromise in this area and yet expect somehow that dishonesty is fine as long as “no one gets hurt”. The thing to remember is that if decisions are based on false information, many people could be hurt and the one who stands to get hurt the most is the one who gave out the false information. I am proud to live in a nation that is based on laws that include an expectation that truth will be come out and will serve as a solid foundation.

I have no ulterior motives or particular examples in mind as I write this blog today. I just am blessed to hang out with people of integrity. It’s all about trust.

Entrusted with value

I like what I read about leadership in the business community this morning. Business is really all about people. Our ability to deliver amazing customer service is all about people and making them feel motivated, empowered and trusted. They need to feel that they know what is at stake and how they make a difference. This requires me to be honest with myself about what really matters to me and motivates me. I need to be sure that what I am doing is aligned with what I am really all about. Although that is business lingo, it has deep spiritual overtones. The closer I get to God in His Word and in prayer, the more I figure out what I am really all about. I also find out that I am important to God. I have been entrusted with valuable things.

I read all six chapters of the book of 1 Timothy this morning. I really was blessed and encouraged ( and challenged ) by the end of Paul’s letter:

1 Timothy 6:20-21

“ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "-- 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. “

The Sound Economy of God

One of the things I love about the Bible is the way God addresses every area of importance in our lives. Many people that I know are under stress today about the state of the economy. Here is what God’s word has to say about distress.:

Psalm 20:1-9 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!

We would do well to remember these principles today as those around us wring their hands and worry. Here is a chorus I have been singing for over 30 years:

“God is bigger than all our problems
Bigger than all our fears
God is bigger than any mountain
That I cam or cannot see.

Bigger than all our questions
Bigger than anything
God is bigger than any mountain
That I can or cannot see.”

We need to focus the right direction today.

God's Presence

I read a paragraph this morning in Bill Johnson’s book entitled, “When Heaven invades Earth.” Here is what it said

God’s covenant promise, “I will be with you,” has always been linked to mankind’s need for courage to face the impossible. There is no question that the presence of God is what brings us great comfort and peace. But the presence of God was always promised to His chosen ones to give them assurance in the face of less than favorable circumstances.

You would think that as people of faith, we would have a handle on God’s concept of “I will be with you”, but most of the time my life does not reflect that kind of confidence. Carrying the authority of God with us ought to make our witness a little bolder. There should be a spring in our step and like the frog at the water fountain we should be proclaiming that we have found a home. Too many of my decisions are based more on my own comfort than on the proclamation that God is with me. Getting comfortable is a dangerous goal. As Mark Batterson says, “Playing it safe is risky!” What society calls “Less than favorable circumstances” are opportunities for us to allow God to shine. It always comes down to the question, “Am I going to believe God, or not?”

In the year my grandfather was born, 1887, John H Sammis wrote the following words that became a Hymn that we still sing today:

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,Are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other wayTo be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.