But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:10-11

Joy is not an option for a believer, as I read the Scriptures. For many, however, finding joy at Christmas is harder than other times of the year. Memories of loved ones, financial struggles, health issues, and relationship woes often make for a very difficult celebration.

In a recent message at Grace, I shared 5 suggestions to make your Christmas joyful.

Here are five suggestions to greater joy at Christmas:

Lower expectations of others - We shouldn’t hold others to expectation we set for them. People, even the best of people, will disappoint us.

Increase your investment in others - Something supernatural happens when we share with others. We are to give and extend grace, as it was given to us.

Examine your life/Address known sin – You can’t have joy w/a holy God if you are living contrary to His desires for your life

Change your perspective – Choosing to be greatly joyful is not based on circumstances, but comes by perspective.

Set your eyes on the prize – If you’re struggling to find joy in life, set your eyes on Jesus; the author and perfecter of your faith.

Want more? Watch this message here:

This is a sermon message and paradigm which I believe can be helpful…

• If you ever doubt God’s love…
• If you consistently feel you don’t measure up…
• If you worry about your God relationship…
• If you are caught in the performance trap…

Living My Identity from Gcomchurch Sermons on Vimeo.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mark 4:38 NIV

I have been told that the stern is the strongest part of the boat. The Creator of the universe was asleep there. The One who made the waters and was there when the waters were parted; who led Moses as Moses led the people through on dry ground had His head on a cushion. The One who walked with three guys in the fiery furnace, in all of His current humanity had decided He needed some rest. The disciples apparently lost sight of the fact that, Jesus was not only human, and He was also fully God.

I am reminded that I forget the same thing at times. Have you ever felt like the disciples felt? Have you ever wondered if Jesus cared? Has the thought crossed your mind that Jesus may not even be aware of your current situation? Have you thought, “Jesus, I see my problems, don’t you?” Or maybe, if you are honest, have felt something like, “Jesus, don’t you care?”

Of course, our spiritual piety would never allow us to admit our weakness in this area fully. Could I as a pastor really admit that I doubted His love? Could you? Yet if I am honest, sometimes from my perspective, it appears that Jesus is nowhere to be found and I am left all alone to wallow in my sorrows. Just saying….

I think the best thing we can possibly do in those situations is to be like the disciples and admit our frailty to God. When we get gut honest with Him about our insufficiencies, perhaps He will be willing to do what only He can do.

Do you need to have an honest conversation with Jesus today?

(This is a repost. Someone found it online in the archives. Sometimes I like to bring them forward, since my readership has tripled since this first appeared and half my readers do so by email.)

Introducing…from the men of Culby X…

A Christmas Album.

It’s free, it’s inspiring, and it’s good.

Forgive me, but this is a personal privilege post. My son Nate, a pastoral student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, released his first Christmas album today. This was his brainchild. He recruited the guys on his dorm floor, Culby 10th floor, to help. Nate coordinated the electronic music, another guy sang, and the guys on the floor participated with Scripture input, marketing, and general morale support.

Most amazing to me is that this project was completed in a dorm room. I don’t recall that insanity in dorm rooms from my days in college. Don’t let anyone tell you this generation can’t make a difference. The guys of Culby X, and so many others, will prove you wrong.

Do me a favor and be encouraged:

Download the album:

HERE

Like their Facebook page:

HERE

And have yourself a Merry Christmas!

The best leadership, in my opinion, comes out of the resolve a leader has made in his or her heart. The resolve of a leader is the pre-determined approach a leader will take when carrying out his or her leadership. These are personal convictions that shape the way a leader leads, responds to others and the choices a leader makes.

Most often these resolutions are made even prior to being in a leadership position. The resolve of a leader is powerful. In fact, if  leader wants to improve his or her leadership, he or she must often improve first their personal resolve.

So, do you want to improve your leadership?

Here are 10 resolutions guaranteed to improve your ministry leadership:

• I resolve to never compromise my character in my search for progress.
• I resolve to consistently be walking by faith.
• I resolve to pray earnestly before I make major decisions.
• I resolve to surround myself with wise and moral influencers.
• I resolve to protect my family time and while working in ministry.
• I resolve to make my personal health a priority.
• I resolve to allow trials and turmoil to draw me closer to Christ and shape my character for good.
• I resolve to love the unloveable.
• I resolve to pray for my enemies, extend grace liberally, and never hold a grudge.
• I resolve to allow at least a few people access to know and speak into the deepest and most private parts of my life.

What are your resolves that shape your ministry leadership?

Which of these resolves do you need to make at this point in your ministry leadership?

Be honest.

I love a good leadership principle learned from observing Jesus.

There’s a story in Matthew 14:22-33.

Perhaps you’ve read it, but in case you haven’t, let me summarize.

After a long day of teaching, Jesus made His disciples get into a boat at night and head out to sea. After a few hours had passed, Jesus came to them walking on water. It was dark, late, and Jesus scared them, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus assured them it was He, to which Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you out on the water.” Peter joined Jesus walking on water, until He saw the wind and began to sink. Jesus saved Peter, got in the boat, and they were amazed at the power of God. (End of story)

Sermons and books have been written about this story. I believe it’s 100% true. It actually happened. My God is awesome.

What I want to consider this look at the story, however, is a leadership principle.

Jesus was leading the disciples to become “fishers of men”. He was teaching them His easy so they could continue a mission…which would launch a church…which continues even today.

In this story, Jesus introduced fear, challenge, and He stretched their faith. Sometimes leaders take people where they don’t want to go, so they can teach them what they need to know.

Pastors/Leaders, don’t be afraid to stretch your team. Don’t shy away from interjecting change. Don’t even be afraid to interject a little fear. If your challenge is designed for good…if you are leading to a better place…it will eventually make your team better.

Help this post. What’s the scariest thing you’ve faced in your leadership development or had to do as a leader?

If you are ever doubting how much God loves you…or if He even does…

Take a look at the Cross…

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Are you feeling the stress of leadership?

Are you in the midst of chaotic times?

Are there more times of crisis right now than times of celebration?

Are you facing decisions which appear bigger than you today?

Are you wondering how you should respond?

Perhaps we can gain some insight from the life Jesus.

Imagine the setting. In the midst of one of the busiest periods in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus received word that John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin…the one who had been preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival into public ministry…the one who baptized Jesus…had been executed at the hand of Herod the ruler. This had the potential to derail Jesus’ ministry. How would His disciples respond? Would they run in fear? Would the momentum shift?

Observe how Jesus, feeling the weight of leadership responsibilities and certainly dealing with personal grief, immediately responded to this tragic scenario.

When Jesus heard about it, He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. Matthew 14:13

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we consistently read of Him slipping away from the crowds…often by Himself…sometimes with a few close disciples…to be alone…to pray. Those times were apparently critical to His ongoing strength and success in the journey.

Now look back to the questions I posed to you at the beginning of this post…

Do you need to slip away? Do you need to get alone? Do you need to pray?

I’ve personally found the more stressful my circumstances the more time I need alone with God.

Whether you are a pastor, a ministry leader, or a stressed-out parent, I realize it seems everyone is looking to you for answers today. Your greatest response could be to slip away from the crowds. You’ll return better able to handle the demands placed upon you.

Have you often found strength in slipping away from the troubles before you respond?

(BTW, this post is not to be confused with the principles of THIS POST. Don’t use this as an excuse to run. Use it as a tool to prepare.)

“Money is the root of all evil”

Have you ever heard that phrase?

I hear it often. The problem is that it’s not in the Bible. It’s from a commonly misquoted verse from the Bible.

The actual verse says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (emphasis mine)

And, you’d have to admit that verse is true. You’ve seen people fall in love with their money and it causes all kinds of grief.

But, money isn’t bad in itself. I happen to like money. It provides for the necessities of life and some of life’s pleasures. It pays the church bills too. We can use our money to bless others.

God uses our system of commerce (money) to further His Kingdom. Sure, He could do without our money…He could do anything He wants with no money at all…but God does choose to use money. You’ve most likely seen Him do so.

Where we get in trouble isn’t with money. It’s with the love of money. Jesus said we can’t love both God and money. He was referring to that sold out, fully committed, do whatever it takes to get kind of love. That love isn’t to be towards our money, but towards our Savior.

Be honest, which do you love more: Your money or Your Jesus?

The best way to tell is to have to give one of them up for the other. Hope you never have to choose that way, but it would at least determine the truth of your heart.

How can you tell when someone is loving their money in an unhealthy way?

Ben Reed is a note-taking genius. He’s also one a great small groups pastor, leader and friend. He writes a great blog too! Check it out HERE.

I had some pastoral work to catch up on tonight, so Ben was gracious to guest post for me for the last session at Catalyst today:

Here is a guest post from Ben Reed:

Judah Smith, presented the closing session for Thursday night at Catalyst 2011.

Jesus is the Glory of God

If that statement is true, that Jesus is the glory of God, then you will leave with a surplus, an overwhelming feeling that you have everything you need for leading, living, pastoring, and loving people.

Thursday nights are date nights for Judah. But he wishes someone would’ve told him that women have rules. And that they don’t have to share their rules…men are just supposed to know them. If you really love women, you will know and abide by their rules. This is the love language of women. And women are under no obligation to let you know when they change the rules.

When Judah’s wife recently changed the rules and asked Judah some questions, what she was saying was, “I don’t just want to do stuff with you…I want to know you. I want to know your inner reality.” Marriage isn’t just about being in each other’s presence…it’s about really knowing one another.

And Moses is thinking along the same lines when he asks of God, in Exodus 33:12-23, “Show me your glory, Lord.”

Moses musters a little courage, and asks for something he’s never seen before. He asks for something more. “I don’t just want your presence or your power. I want your glory.”

This was a risky and dangerous request.

But God must have been pleased with his child, who was, in essence, asking to know God.

The Bible says that God is radiant in glory and beauty and righteousness, and all of that emanated from Him in that moment…so much so that Moses’ face glowed for days after he caught a glimpse of the back side of God.

The request from Moses, though, wasn’t fully answered by God. In fact, throughout the ages, Moses’ request stood unanswered. Because Moses only got a glimpse. And it was only in Jesus that God would fully answer that request of Moses.

We get to see something better than Moses was shown!

Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Jesus is the greatest sermon ever preached.

Moses asks to see beyond the curtain, to see what it is that makes God God. When Jesus comes, we get to see who God really is.

We have everything that we’ll ever need in Jesus.

At the age of 30, Judah was asked to take over leadership of his church in Seattle (The City Church: http://www.thecity.org). And he was incredibly overwhelmed. He didn’t feel like he was ready for it. He began looking for the secret to dispensing great sermons.

And after searching but not finding that secret, he asked himself:

Do I realize what I have in Jesus?

In John 4:26, Jesus responds to the woman at the well with this, as she questions speaks about the coming Messiah: “I am he.” In other words, you don’t have to wait any longer or look any further. And this should be applied to every youth leader, every mom, dad, aunt and uncle, every business person and pastor. You don’t have to look any further. There is no secret potion. Jesus is the answer. He is your counselor, your pastor, your friend.

He is everything you ever need in this life! You’ve got Jesus!

Pastoring your church isn’t about you. In fact, God loves your city more than you do.

If you offer your life to Jesus, He’ll do something in you that you can’t even do in yourself.

Since when was Jesus not enough?

Since when do we have to supplement the Savior? When did we start to have to add to his divine sufficiency?

To pastors: you lack nothing. God has granted you all spiritual blessings in Jesus. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden. I will give you rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

Do you need to ask for forgiveness for looking past Jesus?