Author: Jon Harris

While watching a soccer match recently, it was observed that “team A” had very good players who did not know each other very well. Most of the players were new to the team so they had few opportunities to play together. They were fast, passed the ball often, had selfless behavior, and seemed to be passionate about the game, but something was missing.

Conversely, “team B” (which was actually the visiting team) had players who seemed to be less talented individually however, this group had something special. The entire game they were talking to each other while playing; communicating verbally and with gestures. They anticipated each other’s moves as though they were brothers, like a family. The other team had little to no communication; it was pure mechanics.

In the final few minutes of the game team A had the lead. Team B got louder, and started chanting, encouraging each other; you could feel the momentum. Quickly team B tied the game, then less than five minutes later they scored again to gain the lead. The game was over shortly thereafter. Team B jumped up and down, hugged each other, and had a great celebration.

I’ve shared that story several times over the last couple weeks in business and personal situations. In business, teamwork is everything. In personal situations, how many of us are prone to trying to do too much on our own, either through pride or wanting to play it safe?

Last night I attended a small group Bible Study for the first time in four years and it was amazing. The love of Jesus was so evident, it was difficult to hold back the tears of joy, awe, and gratitude. I felt lifted up. I was among brothers and sisters, gathering together in the name of Jesus Christ. The “difference maker” was that everyone was so vulnerable. They put the needs of others first, they set aside their own pride so as to invest and love others. The Holy Spirit was present, no doubt.

All of this is to say, let’s not go forward alone. Wealth, pleasure, power, and idols are all meaningless. We need each other, we need Jesus. Forgive. Be vulnerable. The window of opportunity is short.

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 4

Looking at various social media sites you’d think that most people’s lives are all fun, they always look good, are always happy, and things are under control. Selfies when shared depict how we want people to see us, and advertising helps propagate many misperceptions. Over time as we observe these images and messages, we can be succumbed to believing that money buys happiness, looking good means you feel good, or that it is easy to be thin and have a nice body “by following these simple steps”.

Recently a highly respected personal trainer who specializes in strength training shared a related story. A prospective client came to him with a photo of an extraordinarily physically fit person. The prospective client asked how long it would take to look like the person in the photograph. The trainer replied, “with a lot of hard work, a strict diet, and a strong commitment it could take about two years, maybe more”.

Frustrated, the prospective client said, “that’s too long” and decided not to even try, just like that. This person had come to believe the lies that the world is spinning and that there are shortcuts to everything that is great.

It is with a similar mindset that many approach faith or even disdain such beliefs. Many listen to what the world (or the ruler of lies) spins as “conventional wisdom”: You don’t need God, do what you like, Christianity is a myth, or that people who believe are weak and foolish.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The truth is that God turned this “conventional wisdom” upside down when he used an unassuming carpenter from a lowly respected town to become the Savior of the World. Even Satan wanted Jesus dead as though this might thwart God’s plan. It is something that at first didn’t seem to make sense, and that’s the beauty of it: It was God’s plan, the greatest event of all time, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, defeating death so that we can live.

19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:19-20)

Read God’s word and listen to his truth. He has a plan for you regardless of your status, the sins of your past, or your self-image. The same went for the early followers.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  (1 Corinthians 1:26)

They were nobodies (by conventional wisdom) who God used for great, and even if you think you’re a “nobody”, you are somebody in God’s eyes. You are loved by God more than you know, and he can and will use you for great if you let him. Trust and obey.

Today’s reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Businesses depend on data and analytics to survive. Additionally, businesses around the world have certain standards that must be adhered to when it comes to financial reporting. Without standards, a business could report in such a way as to make it look like it is performing better than it actually is.

One of my work team members and I were discussing internal reporting and learned that some of our business units wanted to be measured differently than our internal standards. Why? Because the standard made them look bad. Their invented formula would make them look better.

My colleague summarized this very cleverly with a metaphor: “If you look into the mirror and you don’t like what you see, you can’t just change the mirror.”

As I was reading today’s verses (Luke 12:1-21), I continued further into the chapter to perhaps get some better insights for today’s post. The Message version hit me:

“Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? (Luke 12:25 MSG)

That verse was really talking about worry and that worry doesn’t do anyone any good. What the verse did for me was remind me of my colleague and it convicted me of the earlier verses in the chapter such as verse 9 as Jesus says:

but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:9)

Does my colleague know that I am a Christ-follower? Even though I do not deny Jesus verbally, if I am somehow concealing my relationship with Christ in any way, aren’t I inherently denying him?

To make matters worse, I confess to being a hypocrite around this person.

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1b)

The enemy wants us to feel defeated and give up when we are convicted of our sins. Jesus wants us to seek forgiveness, to take action and trust him. The daily battle. This spiritual feeding, honest conviction and repentance led me to a place where in the very next conversation with my colleague I simply shared what I read from the Bible (about the mirror) and how it reminded me of what he said. Now the door is open, Jesus is my friend, Lord and Savior.

Everything in our lives ties together as part of a bigger story, all pointing to the best story, salvation through Jesus. Seize the day!

Who is your favorite leader and why did you choose this person? It could be someone from your past, in your family, a friend, at work, at church, or simply some leader you choose to pay attention to. What stands out most about this leader?

Joshua from the Bible is one of my favorite leaders and in today’s reading (Joshua 23) he gives his final speech to Israel. In this speech, there are numerous examples of leadership and lessons for us to learn to lead better.

Don’t believe the lie which might be whispered, “you’re not a leader”. YOU are a leader no matter what you think. People observe you. People depend on you. Don’t forget, there is good and bad leadership and sometimes people follow our bad behavior as well.

Some examples of Joshua’s leadership and qualities of great leaders:

• He gathered other leaders together to communicate his message (verses 1-2). Great leaders build leaders around them and they communicate effectively, trusting that those leaders will take the message forward.
• He reminded them of God’s faithfulness and gave glory to God (not himself) as God was the one who fought for them against their enemies (verse 3). Great leaders are selfless and they reflect and motivate.
• As the Israelites fought their enemies, they gained new land. Joshua was the leader in these wars. Joshua clearly sets the boundaries in the land that they have conquered, and not yet conquered (verse 4). Great leaders set clear boundaries, clear expectations, and they build the structure for future generations of leaders and followers.
• Joshua remained confident in God’s promises, knowing that even after his own death, they as a people will have victory against their enemies (verse 5). Great leaders build other leaders who can take over after they leave. Great leaders also have a positive attitude, trusting that their teams and followers will do their part. Lastly, great leaders put their trust in God, knowing they cannot do it alone. Joshua did all of these things.
• In verses 6-8: He pointed them to God’s word and instructions, telling them what not to do and what to do. These instructions are all based on God’s laws for our lives so that we may live with abundance and refrain from sinning. Great leaders have a strong moral compass and seek to educate and influence others to do the same, not for the benefit of the leader, but for the people.
• Joshua motivates and encourages them, recognizing the importance of each person when he says in verse 10 “each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy”. This is some powerful stuff, all because God was with them and fights for them. Again, great leaders motivate and encourage. They believe and have deep convictions in what they are doing and what will be done.
• In verse 11 Joshua then points back to the greatest commandment, “love the LORD your God”. Love is a verb; great leaders give great examples of their love and teach others to do the same.

While Joshua was a fantastic leader, there is no better leader than God in the flesh, the king who came not to be served but to serve, giving his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45 paraphrased). This same man Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, taking on the lowest and dirty job as an example for us to follow.

Whose feet will you wash today so that they may see the love and leadership of Jesus in you?

Our family moved to a new country this week. Along with this brought a change in living accommodations, a new school, new opportunities to meet friends and still maintain relationships with family and old friends, and a whole lot more.

As for me in this season of change, I am praying over how to best lead my family and grow in my faith knowing that with major changes comes the potential for distractions. How will I respond to challenges? How will I choose to lean on God’s promises instead of worrying or giving into temptation?

What does your current “life chapter” look like?

Whether you’re just starting a chapter, in the middle of a chapter, or preparing for the next one, yesterday’s scripture (and and post by Jennifer) on the Ten Commandments, along with today’s scriptures (Deuteronomy 5:23-33) offer some great insights. The Ten Commandments simply state how God wants us to live. Today’s reading has a key verse as to why:

You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. (Deuteronomy 5:33)

God didn’t give those commands to burden us or take away joy. In fact, he gave the commandments so that we can be free and experience the true joy found only in him. To paraphrase, he gave the commands so that:

• we may live
• we will live abundantly (in him)
• our families will experience his goodness for generations

This theme reminds me of the words of our Savior Jesus as he explains that his commands in a similar way.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)

Following him comes with a cost, yet the benefits far outweigh the alternative. We never know which chapter will be our last so live and choose today with eternity in mind. Jesus is calling. How will you answer?

“Two of the most important days of your life: The day you were born, and the day you discover why.” (Author unknown)

Regardless of the author of the aforementioned quote, it is great to think about and a reminder as to why we exist on this planet. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit lost I realize it is because I’ve become misaligned with my purpose in life. When all of the fun things aren’t as fun as we think they should be, there’s a good reason. It is because “fun” isn’t why we were made (no matter what we think our purpose should be). We will have constant disappointment and even depression if we do not embrace our true purpose, why we were born.

We can better understand our purpose when we dig into two verses from today’s reading of 2 Thessalonians 1:

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

Regarding our calling:

• We need his help (hence the prayer for God to make us worthy).
• He has called us for a reason. He is not random. NLT uses the phrase “your faith prompts you to do.” We can presume this prompting through faith comes from his Holy Spirit, the voice calling each one of us specifically.
• God’s calling is for good.
• God’s calling reveals his power (and therefore glorifies him).

From my experience reading the Bible, typically when finding the phrase “so that”, we should pay extra attention as it helps us better understand “the why”. Want to know why God does what he does? Look for this phrase and find out.

so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:12)

He calls us:

• So that Jesus may be glorified.
• So that we may be the ones glorifying him. Our lives should be a living testimony as to why we have chosen him. Through this we are honored by God, keeping in mind that he should be the only audience we should care about.
• Remember it isn’t what we do that saves us (hence the word “grace” in verse 12). Our actions should be a reflection of our heart and our gratitude for the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

What do you pray for during hardships?

Paul was writing to people who were being persecuted because of their faith. He did not convey a message praying that the persecution would stop, rather, the message focused on encouragement, love, faith, hope and praise to God. This once again points back to our purpose to glorify God, to have relationship with Him, to share Him, and ultimately to spend eternity with Him.

Father God, forgive me for wandering, for the times when I live as though you do not exist. Further reveal to me today your purpose in my life, one of meaning. Give me courage and wisdom to respond according to your will, to share you with those who do not yet know you. Amen.

Recently I took the leap to request anonymous professional feedback from co-workers including leaders to whom I report, my peers, and those who report to me. And by “leap”, this is my confession that I was nervous. The request went out to roughly forty people who have had serious insights into my behavior over the last five years at the company where we serve.

Would their responses be better or worse than my own “inner monologue”? Would they tell me things I don’t already know? Would there be harsh comments or would the comments be gentle and encouraging?

Regardless of their feedback, there are things in my heart that I know can be improved upon. I’ve made mistakes, and whether public or private, the fact is that no one is perfect.

When considering what work colleagues think of me I thought further about how God knows all my secrets. My failures, fears, bad thoughts, all of my sins.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:3-4, 18)

After spending time in today’s reading (Ephesians 5:1-20) I was convicted with the realization that during this time of professional feedback, I was more focused on what others thought of me than how God views my sins. He should be my audience of one.

Fortunately when we go back to the beginning of Ephesians Chapter 5 we are reminded that Christ gave himself up for us, for our sins piled high. If our behavior is pleasing to God then inherently it won’t matter what others think of us because comparatively, nothing else matters.

Have you ever been hurt by someone associated with the church? Perhaps a member of the church staff or a person of faith, said or did something offensive or hurtful. Or maybe a church in general shared a message that while perhaps well-intended, left you feeling unloved or unfairly judged? One friend shared that the meanest people she knew as a young person were “workers in the faith”.

Another friend said, “the worst part about Christianity is Christians”. Initially this statement left me confused and even somewhat offended. After letting the idea soak in, it started to make more sense. The church, just like the rest of the world is filled with imperfect people (which includes preachers, teachers, and all other sorts such as myself). We mess it up quite often, we sin, too often we say dumb things on social media, and we are hypocrites. However, that’s why we go to church. We seek reconciliation, truth, love, forgiveness, and purpose.

Regardless of your experience: If you left the church (or never went) because you felt the church failed you, this is a request to give it another chance. Come back. Not because things have improved but because there’s something that often gets overlooked. The donuts? Nope. Good coffee? Maybe at some churches but from experience we’ve still not figured that out.

And I’ll even dare say, don’t go to church to seek happiness because it doesn’t promise it. Happiness is a byproduct or an outcome from something else. If we seek love and relationship, and seek to do things for others that’s when we find the true happiness. My wife is often considered a “happy person”. One reason for her happiness is because she’s constantly seeking to give to other people; her time and effort, kind words, and a contagious smile. That, dear readers, is relationship transformed into joy and happiness.

Back to what is often overlooked: While ministers and priests, etc. are imperfect, Jesus was and is perfect. He never failed and he never will. He lived on this planet as a man (and this is well documented), human yet still God. His words are true. We may not always like the things he says, but we can count on them because of who he was (and was not). When we seek our own truth or try to rely on someone else’s truth for our lives it can (and eventually will) get messed up.

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. (Hebrews 7:27)

Today’s reading: Hebrews 7:15-28

Prior to boarding a flight on a warm sunny afternoon I spotted the pilot and crew outside the plane taking a deep breath and enjoying the sunshine. I wish I’d have taken their picture as it could have been an advertisement for the airline, greeting their passengers with smiling faces in the bright sunlight.

While on board, I witnessed something I’ve not seen in a long time: Smiling faces of passengers, unhindered by medical masks. One by one like a procession, nearly every person wore a smile. No grumpiness, no complaints, even as the queue was long and luggage compartments began to fill. I decided to relax and close my laptop to watch the remaining passengers board because their smiles brought joy to me.

The boarding experience felt for a moment, and maybe for the first time ever, “as it should be”. It made me hope in the future where there will be no more tears or bloodshed.

In a world full of destruction, sin, disease, and fear, there is still hope, there is still joy that comes from God. And while hoping for better days ahead is good, the great hope we have is that ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)

As a man, Jesus came to serve, doing God’s will to the point of death on a cross and then his resurrection. In the same way God delighted in him, he delights in us as we obey him and do his will. What is he calling you toward (and away from) today?

Today’s reading: Isaiah 42

We’ve recently signed a lease on a furnished apartment. The owners of the apartment are friends of ours so the lease agreement comes with greater expectations as to how we will care for the property. We have both a legal and friendship “covenant” (agreement). Being legally bound to an agreement is one thing, respecting a relationship is a matter of the heart.

For example: What if we break a drinking glass? The agreement has no language regarding our responsibility however in my mind without a doubt, as a friend, we know what is right.

To add a twist to the theme, what if the owner of the apartment was a billionaire and owned a factory that made this glassware? If their financial resources were seemingly infinite and the one broken glass could be replaced by the snap of their fingers, should we still care about the one glass? Absolutely! This isn’t about the glass itself, it is about friendship, respect, honor, and integrity.

“Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50:5)

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)

Similar to the covenant and relationship with our landlords and friends, as children of God, we are part of an eternal covenant. We have the responsibility to give sacrificially of our resources (time and money) and to love others unconditionally in the way that Christ loves us.

for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 50:10-12)

In giving we must acknowledge that God has literally infinite resources. Everything belongs to him therefore when we give to him, we are merely giving back what was his in the first place. We’re not doing him any favors. He doesn’t need our gifts, he wants our attention, he wants our hearts, he seeks a relationship with us.

In this relationship my main failure is around the tendency to “forget” God. Going about life on my own, doing it my way, and somehow taking credit for the good things that happen.

“Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: (Psalm 50:22)

Since forgetting him is a sin (and I’m quite sure none of us want to be torn to pieces), let us remember him through continuous gratitude for all he has given and for what Jesus has done. Our thankfulness is a sacrifice, it is us humbling ourselves before him, putting him in his rightful place.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)