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3 Truths about the Spirit of Truth

March 20, 2013 — Leave a comment

In my last two posts, I addressed What Jesus Said About Hearing God and How a Message from God can Change the Momentum of Your Life. One of the most common ways God speaks to us is through His Word. Perhaps that’s why the Apostle Paul said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly…” (Colossians 3:16a).

The word “dwell” means to be at home in us. In other words, God’s Word should be like a welcome member of our family. Family members carry on conversations as they sit around the dinner table. In the same way, God’s Word should be allowed to speak freely into our lives.

Unfortunately, some people are afraid to let Scripture speak to them. They argue, “What if I misinterpret what it says?” If that’s your fear, then consider what Jesus said in John 16. After predicting his death, Jesus promises to send the Advocate—that is, the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus describes what the Holy Spirit will do.

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ (John 16:12-16, NLT)

From this passage, I want you to notice three insights that are crucial to hearing God speak to you through His Word and His Spirit:

Being Truth Defines the Name and Nature of the Holy Spirit - Verse 13 begins, “When the Spirit of truth comes…” Jesus defines the Holy Spirit’s very name and nature. He’s not just any spirit…He’s the Spirit of Truth.

Speaking Truth Defines the Role and Responsibility of the Holy Spirit - Verse 13 continues, “…he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” Jesus tells us what the Spirit of Truth will do…he will guide us into truth. The Truth he speaks to us comes from Jesus himself. And who is Jesus? John said Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

When the Spirit Speaks Truth to You, the Spirit Brings Glory to Jesus - I had never noticed this before. Verse 14 says, “He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” In other words, the act of the Holy Spirit speaking truth to you is also an act of worship to Jesus. You know what that tells us? The Holy Spirit wants to talk to you because when he does, he brings glory to the Son of God.

So if you’ve ever convinced yourself that God doesn’t want to speak to you, then remember the words of John 16. According to Jesus, every time the Holy Spirit speaks to you, he’s bringing glory to the Son. When you sit down to read the truth of Scripture, invite the Spirit of Truth to speak to you and to guide you.

In Church, Personal Growth Holy Spirit, Truth, Voice of God

How a Message from God can Change the Momentum of Your Life

March 11, 2013 — 1 Comment

In my last post I shared “What Jesus Said About Hearing God.” We learned that Relationship, not role, is the context for hearing and obeying the voice of God. The idea of hearing God draws mixed responses, but Scripture is clear that a relationship with God is a two-way street. God is more than a cosmic vending machine where we voice our prayers, press the “in Jesus name” button, and then out pops our answer. We are called to a relationship with him, not simply a role where we invoke his name at our every whim.

While the opportunity to hear God is cultivated in a relationship with him, there is also transformational power when God speaks. He may speak in a still small voice, but his words carry transformational authority. Consider this truth:

The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

Like our first insight on hearing God, this one seems obvious too, so let me unpack it by exploring three messages from God. In other words, let’s look at three types of messages God often speaks:

1. A Message of Encouragement

In Joshua chapter one, we read the story of Joshua. Moses had died and now Joshua was in charge of leading his people across the Jordan River into the land God had promised to give to them. After giving Joshua the exact parameters of the land, God changes his tone.

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5-7a, 9)

What did God do? He spoke a message—or a word—of encouragement to Joshua. But why? If I was about to give you a gift, would I really need to speak a word of encouragement to you before giving you the gift? God is about to give Joshua and Israel the land he had promised to them, but God has to encourage Joshua. It almost doesn’t make sense…until you reflect on Joshua’s age and his awareness of Israel’s history.

Joshua Knew His Age – Joshua was not a young man full of energy when the time came to cross the Jordan. How do we know this? Because Joshua’s sidekick, Caleb, was 40 years old when Moses sent him and Joshua to spy out the Promised Land (Joshua 14:7). Some theologians believe Joshua and Caleb were similar in age. Now, add to that another 40 years when Israel wandered in the wilderness for failing to believe God for the Promised Land. That puts Joshua at the ripe age of 80 when he stood at the shore of the Jordan. Have you ever dreamed of doing something great but the very first uncertainty to cloud your mind was, “What if I’m too old?” Joshua needed encouragement because he didn’t have the energy of his youth any longer.

Joshua Knew His History – In Numbers 13 we read that Moses sent a group of 12 men (one leader from each ancestral tribe) to explore the land of Canaan which God had promised to give to the Israelites. After 40 days of exploring the land, the men returned to Moses and Aaron with their report. Caleb, one of the spies, boldly declared his report.

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.” (Numbers 13:30-32a)

As a result of their disbelief and their disobedience, they were defeated by the Amalekites and the Canaanites. Even though this happened 40 years earlier, the image of rebellion and the image of defeat were probably fresh in Joshua’s mind. As the Lord instructs him to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land, I can imagine that all of the emotions from 40 years earlier quickly resurfaced. “What if the people rebel again? What if God doesn’t go with us? What if we’re defeated?”

When you look at your personal history, and when you see the challenges of your past, do you need encouragement to take the next step of faith in your journey? Joshua certainly did. And that’s where this simple truth about hearing God is so powerful:

The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

That’s exactly what happened to Joshua. Now, you might say, “But God’s message to Joshua was, ‘Be strong and courageous.’ It doesn’t sound like encouragement as much as it sounds like a command.”

So what does the word “encourage” mean? “Encourage” actually means to “Put Courage In.” So when God speaks to Joshua, he is using his words to “put courage in” Joshua’s heart. And that word—or that message—of encouragement was the catalyst Joshua needed to act on what God promised to him. It literally changed the momentum of his life, and of the Israelites. Continue Reading…

In Church, Personal Growth Correction, Encouragement, God's Will, Hearing God, Relationship with, Voice of God

What Jesus Said About “Hearing God”

March 9, 2013 — 2 Comments

Our world is filled with a lot of noise. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to detach ourselves from noise and distractions and find a quiet place where we can rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. You might even be asking, “Is there any such place as a quiet place any more?”

Well, yes…but you have to go to Minneapolis to find it. There you will discover a room that’s 99.99% sound proof. Interestingly, Steven Orfield, whose company is responsible for creating this sound proof room, said, “The quieter the room, the more things you will hear.” In fact, it’s so quiet that the longest any person has been able to stay in the room is 45-minutes. What does that say about our culture?

God understands the need for quiet. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” It’s in the “stillness” that our hearts and minds are calibrated to the presence of God. It’s in the stillness that we hear God. That might sounds strange to you…maybe even bizarre. But God is active in our world today, and I believe He desires to speak to you and me. He doesn’t have a permanent case of laryngitis, unable to speak any longer. He loves you…and like any “love” relationship, He wants to speak, not just listen. But how do we listen? Where do we begin? And how do you “hear God” without others calling you a lunatic.

As you reflect on Scripture, you will discover a truth that is at the core of hearing the voice of God. In fact, it’s a truth so simple that we often miss it:

Relationship, Not Role, is the Context for Hearing and Obeying the Voice of God

So what does Jesus have to say about the topic of hearing God? In John 10, Jesus says that he is the “gate for the sheep.” In other words, he’s declaring that he is the way—the entry point—to a relationship with Father God. But then Jesus begins contrasting a good shepherd and a hired hand. I want you to notice the difference Jesus points out between the two:

The shepherd makes sacrifices while the hired hand looks for security – John 10:11-12a says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming.”

The shepherd knows his sheep while the hired hand knows of the sheep – Verse 12 says, “A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.”

The shepherd cares about the sheep while the hired hand cares about his salary – Verses 13-14 say, “The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”

So what do these differences between the shepherd and the hired hand have to do with hearing God? One word: RELATIONSHIP. The hired hand had a role, but the shepherd had a relationship. The sheep recognize the voice of the one with whom they have a relationship.

In Church, Personal Growth God, God's Will, Relationship with God, Voice of God

My Top 10 Posts of 2012

January 5, 2013 — Leave a comment

As one year comes to a close and a new year begins, I like to share my top posts from the previous year. So, below you’ll find my top ten posts from 2012. Enjoy!

1. Productive Paranoia: Lesson #3 from Jim Collins’ Great by Choice

2. Empirical Creativity: Lesson #2 from Jim Collins’ Great by Choice

3. Amazon’s Culture: How to Shape an Enduring Organizational Culture

4. 10 Words of Wisdom to Young Leaders

5. What Does It Mean to Trust God?

6. What to Do When You Lose Your Passion

7. 7 City Church: What’s in a Name?

8. George Washington on Servant Leadership

9. 7 Types of Questions to Ask During an Interview

10. The Holy Spirit’s Role in Leadership

Question: Which article was most helpful to you and why? What was your favorite article that didn’t make the top ten?

In Church, Leadership, Organizations, Personal Growth

GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution is Now Available

September 4, 2012 — Leave a comment

My new book, GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution has officially released. You can purchase the book in my store HERE or on AMAZON.

GO! unpacks the five levels of personal growth so that you can maximize your own growth and intentionally invest in the growth of others. You’ll learn how to close your growth gaps, how to access the on-ramps to personal growth, how to create your own customized, personal growth TRAC, and how to see transformation in your life.

You’ll also discover how to leverage six growth deposits so that you can help others grow to their full God given potential. You’ll even learn how to multiply your growth through others.

GO! is a great book to use for:

Personal growth and reflection
Small group discussions
Leadership Development
Creating personal growth plans
Mentoring others
Staff development

To learn more or to see who has endorsed GO! click HERE. You can purchase the book in my store HERE or on AMAZON. For bulk orders and pricing, email me HERE.

In Church, Leadership, Organizations, Personal Growth

Mark Your Calendar: 7 City Church Launch

July 31, 2012 — Leave a comment

Mark your calendars now for the launch of 7 City Church on Sunday, September 16th, 2012. We’ll have two services at 9:30 and 11:00 am.

For more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, Vimeo or online at www.7citychurch.com. 7 City Church is located in the West 7th area of Fort Worth (corner of Currie and W. Lancaster – 3 blocks from the Movie Tavern).

In Church 7 City Church, Church, Church Plant, Marketing

What’s Different about 7 City Church?

July 27, 2012 — Leave a comment

“What’s different about 7 City Church?” That’s the question that was asked to me recently by a friend named Chad. I shared our vision to see cities transformed by inspiring community and influencing culture…but Chad wanted more. He wanted to know why he and his wife were so passionate to be a part of 7 City Church, which launches September 16, 2012, after so many years of being out of church. At the end of the day, here’s my answer.

Want to learn more about 7 City Church? Visit our Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Vimeo, or YouTube pages to get the latest.

In Church 7 City Church, Vision

7 City Church: What’s in a Name?

July 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

In January 2012, Stephen and I began a journey to plant a church in an urban part of Ft. Worth, Texas called “West Seventh.” You can learn more about our church planting vision here. This endeavor began with Stephen developing a prayer list of 10 specific, bold prayers that we felt were essential for this church plant.

Number 8 on the list was a name for the church: “Pray that God will give us a name for the church that captures the heart and vision of the church and connects with our target audience.” By “target audience,” we mean the area where God has called us to serve. At the time we felt this prayer would come naturally and easily…we had no idea it would take 6 months!

Being a research nerd at heart, we decided to begin the process by examining how other churches developed their name. Unfortunately, there is little information published, but the few articles and blogs we found provided some great information to start with:

1. The Word “Church” - We wanted to have the word “Church” in our name. This was something that the research showed us as imperative. People like to know what type of business/industry/facility they are visiting. No reason to leave people wondering what is going on inside your building.

2. Geography - We did not want to be land-locked geographically to an area. We needed a name that would tie in with the greater community and allow us to relocate in the future without changing our name.

3. Avoiding Fads - We had to avoid cheesy, popular names of the moment. Although there are some great name ideas, we had been in youth ministry for 11 years and knew we did not want a name that would sound like a youth group. In addition, we hoped for a name that would last beyond our tenure.

4. Web & Social Media Dilemmas – We had to make sure Facebook, Twitter, website .com, .net or .org, and other social media names were available. For some names this was easy, for others not so much.

5. Short & Catchy - The name needed to be short and catchy – in other words “brandable”. I know we are not Starbucks or Apple, but having a short, concise, and catchy name makes it so much easier to develop a logo and signage and to communicate the name.

Our next step was to research names of healthy urban churches across the country. It was exciting to see so many churches doing what we hoped to do in Ft. Worth. I loved how many of the churches used the city’s culture or an unusual biblical reference to inspire their name.

This part of the research helped us funnel down our next step in the name. We really liked two words “city” and “urban” and wondered how we could use one of them in the church’s name? Urban is a great word and is being redefined in many parts of society, but after polling the word to different generations and researching urban logo designs, we really felt the word “City” would be a better fit. So now we had “City” and “Church”, but we still needed the hook word, that would help drive our vision.

Over the next few weeks, we would pray, toss out ideas, pray some more, toss out more ideas, research more, but unfortunately, we hit a wall and nothing felt right. I had a friend share with me that the right name would “feel like giving birth.” You would know it deep down and it would resonate with the church.

Late one evening in June, Stephen and I were sitting in bed with our laptops (nothing like church planter office hours) and we had been researching for over two hours. I remember the evening so clearly. Stephen was looking down when he quietly said “City Church”, “Seven City Church”. When he said this, I could feel it and sense it in my spirit…that was the name! For the next few days we mulled over it and shared it with friends.

We were so excited – God had answered our prayer perfectly! Our vision is to see cities transformed by inspiring community and influencing culture. The word “Seven” captured our vision so clearly:

1. It helped tie us to the greater community that the church is located in without land locking us for future growth.

2. Seven means complete and perfect – our prayer is for Ft. Worth to be a complete and whole city.

3. There are 7 areas of culture we pray to influence – business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family, and the social sector.

You can learn more about our vision for 7 City Church at www.7citychurch.com. Check out our Facebook and Twitter links too. And if you’re another church planter trying to find the right name for your church, hopefully our journey will be an encouragement to you.

This post was written by Karen Blandino. You can follow Karen on Twitter here or check out her Facebook page here.

In Church, Culture, Leadership, Miscellaneous 7 City Church, Church, Leadership

GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution

July 16, 2012 — Leave a comment

GO!

My New Book is Coming in August

I cannot tell you how excited I am about the upcoming release of my new book, GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution. Writing is both a calling and a passion for me, and the message in this book has been cooking inside of me for well over twelve years. I’m so glad to finally share it with you.

So What’s the Message?

Do you feel stuck? Is your personal growth on pause? Is the gap growing larger between where you are and where you want to be? Do you want to help others grow but you don’t know where to start? My new book equips you to unlock your personal growth and inspire a growth revolution in others.

Whether you’re just starting your growth journey, you’re a lifelong learner with an unquenchable appetite for growth, or you’re somewhere in between, GO! will help you to:

Identify and close the gap between you and your dreams

Access the three on-ramps to personal growth

Create a customized personal growth TRAC

Experience the power of the five levels of personal growth

Embrace the five GO! Practices that take personal growth to an entirely new level

Leverage your personality type to grow to your full potential

Make intentional investments in others by using six growth deposits

GO! will not only challenge you to grow yourself and the people you influence, but it will also equip you with the tools to turn growth potential into reality. Whether you’re a pastor, coach, teacher, leader, HR professional, student, or you simply want to take your personal growth to a new level, GO! is your roadmap to get there.

What Others Are Saying About GO!

“Some books are written to inform, and others to inspire, still others to motivate you to action. In GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution author Stephen Blandino does all three. You will learn, grow and move forward. The concepts are real-life and the strategies, if followed, will actualize your full capacity potential.”

- DR. SAMUEL R. CHAND, Leadership Coach, Consultant, and Author of Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code

“Anybody who wants to become all that God wants them to be has to read GO! Stephen hits the nail on the head on how we develop personally so that we can maximize our God given potential!”

- HERBERT COOPER, Lead Pastor, People’s Church, Oklahoma City

“In business I’m always looking for a competitive edge, and in GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution Stephen Blandino gives you that edge. Through the five levels of personal growth you create a pathway for personal growth both for yourself and the people you lead. This book is one you’ll actually implement the wisdom it contains.”

- BILL BARNETT, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host and the Best Selling Author of Are You DUMB Enough to be RICH?

I hope you’ll pick up a copy of GO! upon its upcoming release. If you want to get the latest news on my new book, sign up in the top right margin to get email updates.

In Church, Culture, Leadership, Miscellaneous, Organizations, Personal Growth, Uncategorized Growth, Leadership, Learning, Lifelong Learning, Personal Growth

Archives For Church

3 Truths about the Spirit of Truth

How a Message from God can Change the Momentum of Your Life

The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

What Jesus Said About “Hearing God”

My Top 10 Posts of 2012

GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution is Now Available

GO! is a great book to use for:

Mark Your Calendar: 7 City Church Launch

What’s Different about 7 City Church?

7 City Church: What’s in a Name?

GO! Starting a Personal Growth Revolution

My New Book is Coming in August

So What’s the Message?

What Others Are Saying About GO!

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The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

The right message from God, at the right moment in time, can change the momentum of your life.

GO! is a great book to use for:

My New Book is Coming in August

So What’s the Message?

What Others Are Saying About GO!

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