Author: DeWayne Ables

The next time you feel too tired or frustrated to go on, remember this: Our God is not exhaustible.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Almost all of us can recall times when our bodies and minds have felt tired from manual labor and mental strain. If these conditions become constant or extreme, it is very easy for us to become burned out.

Fortunately, we have been provided with specific encouragement for such times of exhaustion. Today’s Scripture reading reveals three reassuring truths about God and His faithfulness in our times of weakness.

First, we learn that the Lord “does not become weary or tired” (v. 28). Therefore, we can call upon a God who won’t ever run out of power. His strength has never decreased and will not decrease in the future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

Second, we find that “He gives strength to the weary” and power to those who are not mighty (Isa. 40:29). Our loving heavenly Father does not frown upon us when we are weak. Instead, He embraces us and lifts us up when we are unable to help ourselves.

Finally, we are given an incredible promise. Verse 31 reads, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

The next time you feel too tired or frustrated to go on, remember this: Our God is not exhaustible. Instead, He is faithful to provide a supply of endless divine strength to those who are willing to wait for His perfect timing. In all things, He gives exactly what we need for the moment at hand.

Are you ready for a break?

Let God handle your business while your gone….

– DeWayne –

(This is a message that I have leaned that was delivered by Charles Stanley.)

Dear friends, I have been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only master and lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4)

Isn’t is interesting that Christ’s Sr. Leadership team – his 12 Disciples – had to defined the purpose and values of their organization (our church) and battle with managers / teachers who said and did the right things initially to “sneak in” but in the end were not aligned and had to be removed.

Do you find yourself having to defend your faith or your organization’s purpose and values?

Are there managers or people who have wormed their way into your organization who are not truly in agreement with why your organization exist and how it should operate?

What should you do with them? Train or Trade?

Onward,

DeWayne Ables

“A God ordained mission will always seem impossible” – Hennery Blackaby

When you look at the Purpose God has given you and the mission you are on to deliver it it’s likely that the numbers don’t add up!

The biggest challenge is focusing on the people that God has brought to you not the cost or investment needed to deliver. This response Jesus gave to his management team sums it up best….

“You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread?” (Matthew 16:8-11 NLT)
What takes up your mindshare?
Are you focused on providing or delivering your Purpose?
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT)

– DeWayne –

Onward

Capacity is a big challenge with most leaders. “Eliminate the clutter and distractions” seems to be an easy (consultant’s) solution. However, most people – including me – have a hard time applying such an easy concept!

What does that mean?
Where do I start?
Why do I put it off?

No matter what industry you are in, size of your organization or how many children you have, this scripture is a Win-Win starting point!!!

Philippians 4:8, NIV.
Whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.

Application:
Define top 5 challenges that are distracting you.
Prioritize them.
Then:

• Schedule it
• Fix it
• Delegate it
• Delete it

Our attitude, perspectives and tone 100% impact the production and motivation of our-selves and those around us. Get rid of the mental clutter that slows you and your team down.

Onward,
DeWayne

How many times in the past 6 months have you heard this question, “Where are the leaders”?

This issue goes way beyond the marketplace.  The lack of leaders and leadership seem to be an issue in every area of life:

1. Families
2. Churches
3. Religions
4. Communities
5. Politics

In each of these areas there always seems to be a primary leader, it’s the second layer of leadership that seems to be missing – the support staff, the layperson, the members, the voters.  Those who are required to be vocal, support, implement, and fight for the rights, principals, or purpose that their community or organization was intended to be.

It seems like Jesus saw similar issues:

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.  Mathew 21:12

Is there a lack of leadership or support in your church, community or organization?

What can we – as Purpose Driven Leaders – do to change it?

Is there something you are convicted to lead, act on or say?

Are there people around you who just need a nudge for the courage to act on their convictions?

– DeWayne

Being a Purpose Driven Leader is a choice that often times requires you to “stand alone.” Operating out of deep conviction and with the clearity to make and implement the right decisions is no easy task.

There is no shortage of oposition and outside influence – especallly in an organizion that is in survival, growth or crisis mode.

Matthew 26 summerizes how a man of politcal and social power (Pilate) is clearly convicted about the decision to free Jesus. In this story, found in verses 15-26 it is communicated that he too was influenced by 3 sources that many of us face today.

1. Inner Influcees – gut, logic, or spritual
2. Personal Relationships – wives, family, friends, management team
3. Social – those we serve, our communities, staff, social circles

In this story all three were true.

The scriptures state: (Matthew 27:18-20 NLT)

vs 18: He (Pilate) knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.

vs. 19: Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone (free him). I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

vs. 20: Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.

Are there any decisions that you have made where you were stongly convicted but were influenced and made the wrong one?
What source of influence has the stongest impact on you?
What was lost, gained, or who effected by your decision?

– DeWayne Ables –

Life with God is an adventure – a risk-it-all quest to become the person we were created to be.  All through the Bible, God uses a mountain as the place where he connects, speaks and trains many Purpose-Driven Leaders – from Abraham to Moses to Elijah to David to Jesus.

Your Mountain:

The unique mission God has given each of us as we journy to a life of living and leading like Christ.

 

What is discovered along the path?

• The goal, vision, destination God is preparing you for
• Unforeseen parts of your journey that are placed in your path which God uses to bless and grow you
• Stongholds that must be overcome that will hinder your growth
• A deep, intimate relationship with God who will reveal his truth to you – making your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

The Payoff as you Ascend:

Purpose | Faith | Freedom | Courage | Strength | Excitement | Joy

 

Is your mission clear?

Are you ready to conquer it?