Darryn Scheske

Preparation is Never Wasted

Preparation is never time wasted.

You cannot have a great recital if you have poor rehearsals.  People who don’t want to rehearse can never perform well at the recital. I've met people who want to show up for the performance, but they are absolutely not interested in rehearsing. If you don't have something shiny and exciting for them to do, if they might actually have to find their own drive and inspiration to work on a task, they are not interested.

"I’ll come and eat, but I’m not cooking, and I’m not washing dishes."

But preparation time is never time wasted. There are seasons of our lives, wilderness experiences, tests of preparation, that God will lead all of us into. There is no way past it. All of go through them. For it is in the wilderness where we are shaped and humbled, where we become willing to say,

"I’m ready to learn. I’m ready to submit. I’m ready to enter the process of preparation. I’m ready to be 'proved.'"

The wilderness experience is preparation for times of temptation that will come later on. This is why the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to fast. Deprivation in a wilderness experience prepares you to be able to say "no".  Fasting announces to the body: "Body, this is a dress rehearsal. You are not in charge. I can feel your cravings and I resist the response. This is a rehearsal."

The wilderness experience you're going through is a test of prepartion. God is giving you the opportunity to train your body, your emotions, your feelings, and your moods for what is yet to come! His goal is to make you ready, complete, mature, not lacking anything.

"Just because the enemy comes knocking, doesn’t mean he gets to come in!"

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 3—Are You Believing a Lie?

What is this new year going to be like for you?

Your adversary is already working a powerful lie into your life. He's always been trying to get you to believe it. What is the devil's lie? "There's always more time."

I shared this story with my kids on the first day back to school.

One day Satan gathered his assistants to discuss the most effective method of destroying the meaning of people’s lives.  One suggested, “Tell them there is no God.”  Another said, “Tell them there are no consequences to their actions.”  A third proposed, “Tell them they have strayed so far from the right path they will never be able to change.”  “No,” Satan replied, “such things will not matter to them. I think we should simply tell them, ‘There is plenty of time.’”

Now is the time to get serious about breaking through the walls that are holding you back. I don't have to tell you this. We all know the time to grow spiritually is NOW. We’ve all felt the need to move from simply existing to living on purpose, or rather living with God's purpose at work in us. We are all yearning for more to this life with God than we are currently experiencing.

At Heartland Church we have been planning and preparing a specific pathway to share how you can take an authentic, meaningful spiritual walk with a company of like minded believers. This journey is guided by three primary questions: “Who is God?” “Who am I?” And, “What does God desire to do through me?”

Over the next year we want to give you the pathway and the process to walk through the following stages of spiritual growth.

• How to develop a Biblical Foundation.
• How to appreciate God’s sovereign, shaping work in your life
• Why is is necessary to be a part of a spiritual community in the way of Jesus.
• How to implement the critical practices of serving and influencing others in Jesus’ Name.

If we are going to realize real change and personal transformation in 2012, we have to decide to grow spiritually. It will not just happen. You're going to have to choose to be intentional and purposeful about your spiritual growth going forward.

Here's what the path look's like:

• A commitment to meet weekly with a group of like-minded believers guided by a trained facilitator for two uninterrupted hours a week.
• In 2012, meet for two seasons or “semesters.”  Spring and Fall, about 16 weeks each.
• The meetings will be focused, encouraging safe relationships, accountability, thoughtful reflection, honest conversation and prayer.
• You will spend some time (an hour or two) each week in reading and prayerful reflection on the content presented from the Bible, the books read together, and teaching content of the group. (The first book on our reading list will be Henry Nouwen’s, “In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership.”)
• You will each be encouraged to identify a mentor or spiritual friend (a running buddy!) for encouragement, support and prayer.
• You will have opportunities in 2012 to get away together for a retreat with your group, and perhaps a few workshops.
• Naturally, there will be a financial commitment as well, considering all the materials that will be necessary and places you will want go together.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF?

I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday for the FIRST! CONFERENCE, Sunday morning at 9:00. 10:00 & 11:00 AM, Sunday evening at 6:00 PM, and Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM. This will be an incredible way to start the New Year putting Jesus first!

You do not have more time. NOW is the time! Don't put it off any longer.

Let me know if you're going to be there!
Let me know if this focused spiritual journey is something you can say, "Yes, I'm in!"
Spread the word!

On the journey with you,
Pastor Darryn Scheske

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 4—God, Open My Eyes!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

You’ve heard people say “There’s more than one way to look at things." They’re right.  The way you choose to look at things will determine what will happen in your life in this new year.

You will either see this year through the eyes of fear or the eyes of faith. What you focus your vision on will determine if you live with anxiety and worry or whether you'll live with confidence, security and blessing in God.

The enemy of your soul has three tactics he uses against you: Fear, Lust and Pride.

The fear is always worse than the reality.
The lust is never satisfying.
The pride of life is blinding. It is promised that the pride will fall. Why? Because they soon are unable to see the obvious pitfalls and dangers ahead of them.

At the start of this new year, now is the time to commit to no longer living by your feelings. Start living by faith.

How badly do you want to see God’s glory in your life in 2012? 

If you want God’s blessing, you’re going to need to step out and move against your fears, whatever lusts are controlling you, any any prideful, stubborn resistance, arrogant entitlement, any justifiable resentments, any disconnected isolation, any blind ignorance!

That's why the First! Conference is so important! We are setting aside this time at the first of the year to cry out to God and say, "Lord, I want you to open my eyes."  Help me to see this next year with eyes of faith. I want to see things like you see them.

Jesus said, "The truth will set you free." He whom the Son sets free is free indeed, not just free in theory.

This coming this Sunday morning, I'm going to share a powerful message called, "What's Holding You Back?" Start praying for God to open your eyes now. Pray for a receptive heart. This is your year for change! Now is the time.

"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." Micah 7:8

Heartland Church First!Conference Schedule

Sunday AM: "What's Holding You Back" I'm speaking at all campuses, 9:00, 10:00 & 11:00am

Sunday PM: Dr. Mark Rutland, 6:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Monday PM: Dr. John K. Jenkins, 7:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Tuesday PM: Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr., 7:00PM, 96th Street Campus

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 5—How Change Happens

Today's Scriptures
"According to your faith will it be done to you."  Matt. 9:29

"Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done!" Psalm 37:5

Thought
If change is ever going to happen, you have to see it before you can experience it. You need a vision of what is possible. You can face the future with discouragement, fear and anxiety, or see it with the eyes of faith.

These are the two things require for any change to happen: Vision and Faith.

“Without a vision the people perish.”  You’ve got to get a clear picture in your mind of reality and a clear picture of a preferred future. Until you can actually see what needs to change, it isn’t going to happen.

The second element of change is faith.  You have to not only see the possibility; you must believe change is possible.  You must have the faith to believe that what needs to be changed can change.

The biggest mistake we make is we set the goals too low and we try to accomplish them too quickly. What we need to do is set bigger goals and then spend the rest of our lives going after them.

What goal would require faith? What is dream you have that is bigger than you?

Nothing happens until somebody says, "Something needs to be done and I’m going to do something about it."  Everything rises or falls on leadership, and it's our greatest need today.

Dream great dreams for God and then by faith set a deadline on it. Write a declaration, "This is what I’m going to do in faith this year."

In our home, our faith declaration is taped to our refrigerator where we can see it multiple times a day. It reminds us what we're really going after. It reminds us what is really important to us. It anchors us no matter what petty circumstances we encounter through out the day.

Prayer
Father in heaven, today I ask you to help me see through your eyes. Let my heart be broken with the things that break your heart. Help me find the right path. I surrender my will to yours and look for your leading…for your Love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. Guide me in your truth, and teach me. Increase my faith. Give me courage to never compare myself, never stop learning, and never give up! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Countdown to FIRST! Minus Day 6—Get a Vision for Change

In just six days, something great is going to happen!

We're counting down to the 2nd Annual First! Conference at Heartland Church where we come together at the beginning of a new year to rededicate ourselves to God and focus on putting Him first in every area of our lives. I'm so excited about what we are about to experience together! I'm already fasting and praying that God will do beyond what you can even ask or imagine in your life.

The First! Conference is a the kick-off weekend to a brand new series called, "It's Time to Make a Change!" beginning Sunday, January 8th 2012.

How many times in your life have you said, "This year is going to be different!" and then two weeks later, your good intentions have failed and nothing really changes? What's it going to take for permanent change to happen in your life—in your health, your finances, your relationships, your marriage, your career—what does it take to really break through the walls holding you back and experience change?

The problem is not knowing that we need a change...the problem is seeing what really needs to change. Have you ever heard yourself say:

"As hard as I try, life never turns out like I hoped?"
"I'm not the one with the problem here!"
"I don't really have any problems like other people."
"After what they did, I have the right to be angry!"
"I'm so guilty...God can never forgive me!"
"I deserve better than this!"
"I can buckle down and deal with this on my own!"

Sound familiar? Every one of us have invisible, emotional barriers that block our progress, keeping us from the life of freedom and purpose God has planned for us.

God wants to do a great work in your life, but what you are blind to will block you.

This is your time to break through the walls that are holding you back. I encourage you to get a copy of Teaching Pastor Stephen Arterburn's new 5-star book, Walking Into Walls and start the challenging work of seeing through your blind spots. We'll be using the group study guide from this book as a companion to this series.

Our First! Conference begins with a powerful message called, "What's Holding You Back?" If change is ever going to happen, you have to see it before you can experience it. You need a vision of what is possible when you deal with reality head on with God's power working in you. Now is the time to set a great goal for change in your life. The biggest mistake we make is we set the goals too low and we try to accomplish them too quickly. What I pray you'll do over these next few weeks is set a God sized goal for your life and then spend the rest of your life going after it!

Then Sunday evening at 6pm, we're honored to have Dr. Mark Rutland who will speak on the how to receive the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to change your life. This service will be powerful! Come expecting to experience God like you never have before.

Monday and Tuesdays nights at 7pm, you will not want to miss being inspired and challenged by Dr. John Jenkins and Pastor Jeffrey Johnson, Sr., two of the most dynamic and sought-after communicators of God's Word. You will

The following Sunday, January 15th, you'll hear from Dr. John Townsend, author of the best-selling book, Boundaries. He will help you see the difference between what is a wall holding you back and appropriate boundaries that need to be in place.

What an incredible opportunity this is! Don't short-change yourself and miss hearing what God wants to say to you through these men of God. Every one of these powerful messages will be life-changing.

Spread the word! It's time to make a change and the time is now.

40 Days of Faith: Day 38—Be a Person of Excellence

The restaurant was beautiful, the food was be outstanding, and the service was excellent, but the piece of glass my daughter found when she bit into her quesadilla called into serious question the integrity of the entire establishment. What impressed us was the humble, and responsible actions of the management to failure. Their commitment to excellence, in the face of a glaring shortcoming, turned the situation around.

One of my mentors has drilled into me repeatedly that greatness is found in excellence in execution of the details combined with the humility to admit and address shortcomings.

Think of those who lived lives of excellence in the Bible

• Able offered a more excellent sacrifice
• Nehemiah chose men with excellent reputations to be administrators of the temple
• David sang about how His greatest pleasure was to be with excellent, faithful people.
• Solomon wrote about the incredible worth of an excellent woman.
• Daniel had an excellent spirit
• Priscilla taught Apollos a more excellent way.
• Apollos desired excellence and welcomed correction.

I love being around people like that! These were just ordinary people that chose to give God their best effort. They refused to compromise and get sucked in to the mediocrity of the society that they were living in. They determined in their heart that they were going to be strong and stand out in the crowd. They made-up their mind to serve God with their whole heart and with enthusiasm. They welcomed any input to make them more effective.

People like this inspire in me a relentless spirit that won't accept any result until I’ve given my dead level best effort.

None of these people were perfect. But their greatness was in their courage to accept shortcomings. They welcomed truth. David cried out, "Lord, point out anything in my life that makes you sad" (Psalm 139).

This is not equivalent to being satisfied with mediocre results.  It is simply the acknowledgment before God that I can’t be all things to everybody or me.  It’s part of an effort we all must make to do everything in our power to make our stand (Ephesians 6), but after that, then stand.
 
Living a life of excellence means choosing to pursue what is best, not letting life just happen to you. Most people are living life subconsciously.  They're driven by their feelings and appetites. They're stuck wallowing in the wounds of the past. They live with a sense of entitlement because of what they have been through. These are people who live by the unspoken creed, "What is the least amount of effort that I’ll have to expend? Where are the shortcuts?" When challenged to excellence, they're response is typical, "Why are you making such a big deal about little things?"

God is in the details! We make choices every single day that determine whether or not we're going to live a life of excellence for God. Nobody can make us stay out of questionable situations or compromising conversations. Only you can determine your priorities.

Make it your priority to please Him in every single area of your life. God's looking for people of the utmost integrity. He's looking for people that will go overboard to do what's right; people who will live a life of gratitude and honor and integrity.

Let me encourage you to press on and reach for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus. Choose to go for it! Follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Be quick to obey. If you do, you will reach your full potential and accomplish all the things God put you here on this earth to do. You won’t waste your life. You’ll make your Heavenly Father proud! 

Today's Scriptures
"In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing." 2 Tim. 2:20-21 (Msg) 

"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philip. 4:8-9

Read Galatians 5:16-23 (The Message)

Thought
"Give me a hundred men that fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and I will change this world."  John Wesley

Prayer
Father in heaven, may I give you my dead-level best effort today. Give me the courage to face my short-comings. You know my heart better than I do. My heart is deceptive and desperately wicked. So please test my thoughts today, point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Make me excellent in your eyes. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

40 Days of Faith: Day 37—How to Stop a Negative Conversation

Nothing does more damage in the Body of Christ and nothing separates life-long friendships faster than spreading rumors, telling lies, and gossiping about people. Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies telling something about another person that is going to harm them. Whether it's true or not, it doesn't matter. Even if it is true, it's no excuse. Love overlooks a person's faults. Love sees the best in people.

Most of all of us agree that it's wrong to gossip and say negative, critical things about people. But do you realize that it is just as wrong to even listen to gossip? When you listen to gossip you encourage that person to continue to gossip. A Christ-follower has no business being a part of a gossiping conversation. As a matter of fact, you have a responsibility to stop it.

One of the best things you can do if somebody starts gossiping and criticizing someone is to try to stop it even before it gets started. Here is a great way to turn the situation around. "You know, let's just take a moment and pray for that person instead of making fun of them or pointing out how messed up they are." That statement will stop a gossiper in their tracks and reveal their heart. Then pray a prayer of gratitude and grace over their life. Pray that God will have mercy on your own faults.

Be a leader, not a follower! If you're going to live a life of love, you've got to be on the offensive. You've got to lead. It's your responsibility to stop the junk before it gets started. Let's not be quick to point out other people's faults. We need to remember Jesus just looks the other way.

When the woman who was caught in adultery was brought before Jesus (and I always wonder, if she was caught in the act, where is the man?) it says that her accusers kept on accusing her. They kept on questioning Jesus about what they were to do with her. They were relentless in their attacks.

Finally, Jesus got so fed up with them and he looked at them and said, "You that are without sin, go ahead and throw the first stone." In that statement, Jesus clearly gave us the requirements for having the right to be judgmental and critical toward other people. He said it's okay to criticize someone provided you meet this one simple requirement—that you have never once sinned yourself.

I can tell you with great confidence, that takes me out of the stone throwing business.

This week to let nothing unwholesome come out of your mouth, but only what will benefit those who listen. Be strong and courageous.  Refuse to be a part of "bible studies" where people gather together to "confess" the sins of their neighbors. Don't let those negative conversations occur in your presence. Pray words of encouragement, gratitude and grace over everyone. We all need love to cover our many sins.

Today's Scripture
Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." John 8:2-11

"Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12

"A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them." Proverbs 11:13

"Love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

Thought
"It sounds incredible but a truly humble person is content in all situations. He doesn't notice if he is being praised or blamed, and isn't always weighing if what is being said to him or about him is to his advantage. A simple person allows himself to be led by the Lord Jesus. So let go of yourself with courage." —Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe-. The Seeking Heart: Including a Short Biography. Auburn, Me: SeedSoweres, 1992.

"If someone eavesdropped on you, would your conversation point him to Christ?" —Ronald Dunn

Prayer
My Father in Heaven, What joy it is to be with You, to be quiet so that I may hear Your voice. Feed me and teach me out of the depths of your Word.  Oh God, You only can make me love. Your mercy can overcome any obstacle, and I confess the greatest obstacles are deep in me. I am unworthy of You, but I can become a miracle of Your grace. I am grateful for your cross and what my forgiveness cost. Let me walk in gratitude and mercy today. Finally, give me courage to do what is right. Let me speak up and prevent wrong. Make me a leader, not a follower of the crowd. In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

40 Days of Faith: Day 36—Am I Grateful?

Today's Scriptures
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thought
My cousin Rael Lynn is one of the most humble, grateful people I know. I received an email from him recently that profoundly affected me.

I am the most selfish person I know.  I focus on myself and need to have my eyes opened.  I serve at the nursing home because I need to see how good my life is.  I need to see Terry who has MS and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and loved nature but now is totally paralyzed and can only look at the trees and the sun out his window.  I need to see Dennis, a young man of 32 who has no legs. 

Why do I serve? I need to see Mike, a 28 year old who hopped in a car with his friend the very first time his friend decided to stunt. They crashed and his friend—the driver—walked away while Mike is paralyzed from the neck down.

Why do I serve?  I need to realize how good God is to me. And when I see those guys in the nursing home look at me when I walk out, I understand how good my life is.

Why do I serve?  Because I need to see God's mercy.  When I help in boy scouts and see boys who have no fathers because of divorce.  Boys who are angry and confused.  Boys who have never been to see the mountains two hours away because their moms have neither the time or the money to take them there.  Then I see God's mercy in my life by providing me with a father who loved me and a grandfather who was  interested in me..

Why do I serve? Because I need to know that I matter. When I have a chance to teach Sunday school to 70 kids aged 7-11 every second Sunday.  And when I am praying for them and begin to understand how much God loves them and how He wants to be their heavenly father - they just need someone to show them the way.

Why do I serve?  Because Jesus tells me to.  Not only does He tell me to serve, but He was the biggest servant of all and I want to be like Him.

The Bible says if you serve you will be blessed - and since I am so selfish, I serve because it benefits me.  Serving has opened my eyes to see how good my life is and how God's mercy has been on me.  I have learned to complain less and have a better attitude. 

Matthew 25:35 talks about how when we feed the hungry and are kind to the desperate, that we are actually doing it to him. I want to fulfill that verse.

The bottom line is that I serve because I need a constant reminder of all the blessings in my life.  It has been one of the best decisions I have made.

Quote
"Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends."
—Steven Furtick

Prayer
My Father in heaven, I love you. I'm grateful for this day set aside to worship you and thank you for who you are and what you have done. I am so thankful that you have forgiven me and made me your son. Let your name be lifted up today. Fill me with your Spirit. Make me more like you. May I serve you and your people well today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

40 Days of Faith: Day 35—Be Still

Today's Scriptures
"Be still, and know that I am God…" Psalm 46:10

"O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 131

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

Thought
"You greatly need certain free hours to be given to prayer and recollection. Try to steal some such, and be sure that such little parings of time will be your best treasures. Above all, try to save your mornings; defend them like a besieged city! Make vigorous sallies upon all intruders, clear out the trenches, and then shut yourself up within your keep! Even the afternoon is too long a period to let go by without taking a breath.

Recollection is the only cure for your haughtiness, the sharpness of your contemptuous criticism, the onslaughts of your imagination, your impatience with inferiors, your love of pleasure, and all your other faults. It is an excellent remedy, but it needs frequent repetition. You are like a good watch which needs constant winding.

Read again the books that moved you; they will do so again, and with greater profit than the first time. Bear with yourself, avoiding both self-deception and discouragement. This is a medium rarely attained. People either look complacently on themselves and their good intentions, or they despair utterly. Expect nothing of yourself, but all things of God. Knowledge of our own hopeless, incorrigible weakness, with unreserved confidence in God's power are the true foundations of all spiritual life.

If you have not much time at your own disposal, do not fail to make good use of every moment you have. It does not require long hours to love God,to renew the consciousness of his presence, to lift up the heart to him to worship him, to offer him all we do or bear. This is the true kingdom of God within us, which nothing can disturb."

—Fénelon, François, and Hal McElwaine Helms. The Royal Way of the Cross: Letters and Spiritual Counsels of François De Salignac De La Mothe-Fénelon ; Translated by H. Sidney Lear ; Edited by Hal M. Helms. Orleans, MA: Paraclete Press, 1982.

Prayer
Father in Heaven, I quiet my soul before You. Like a weaned child who is content, not screaming for nourishment, I simply place myself before you. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24). I can come to You because of Jesus, Amen.

40 Days of Faith: Day 34—How to Be Great

At the height of the Civil War, Lincoln and his Secretary of War visited the home of General George McClellan. After a short wait, the General returned home, but making no acknowledgement of the president and his secretary, he marched straight upstairs to his room. Thinking he would be right down, they continued to wait. Finally, they questioned the housemaid who said, "I'm sorry, Mr. President, but the General asked me to tell you that he is tired and has gone to bed."

The Secretary of War was astonished and said, "Mr. President, this is unacceptable. You should relieve this man of his command." Lincoln thought a moment and said, "No, I will not relieve him; this man wins battles. I would hold his horse and wash the dirt from his boots if he could shorten this bloodshed by one hour."

The key phrase in this incredible story of Mr. Lincoln's humility is, "He thought for a moment…" Beyond the story itself, we see the powerful combination of character and humility which was his greatness. President Lincoln was truly grateful for General McLellan's gifts and abilities. He respected what the General had accomplished. Finally, Lincoln was a man of integrity who chose to die to himself, thinking of what he was called to do as a leader. Who he was—his character—would not be changed by another man's arrogance.

Gratitude. Respect. Integrity. The three qualities of every great leader I know.

Imagine how the words of the secretary of war might have inflamed a lesser man. Be very aware of the danger of allowing the words of others to pull you off your character, either through flattery or criticism.

My coach Gary Rohrmayer  writes, "As a self-confessed driven leader, dealing with the apparent assault of my character, loyalty or commitment offers a unique challenge. Those little digs, suspicious looks or tone can cause my imagination to go wild."

Stop. Think for a moment.

Thoughts
"Everyone who has deeply walked with God knows that humility is the foundation that you build your life on. True humility comes from seeking the interests of God before your own. Humility comes in no longer living for yourself but in letting Jesus Christ live His life in you.

I know it sounds incredible but a truly humble person is content in all situations. He doesn't notice if he is being praised or blamed, and isn't always weighing if what is being said to him or about him is to his advantage. A simple person allows himself to be led by the Lord Jesus. So let go of yourself with courage.

When God purposes to make us die to self, he always touches that which is the very essence of our life. He adapts our cross to each one of us. Let yourself be humbled; calm and silence under humiliation are a great benefit to the soul. One is sometimes tempted to talk about humility, and it is easy to find plenty of opportunities for doing so, but it is better to be humbly silent. Talkative humility is always suspicious; talk is a certain relief to self-conceit. " —François Fénelon¹

"The leader's lack of self-awareness is the leader's greatest barrier!" Craig Groeschel at Catalyst One Day Chicago 11/17/11, Tweeted by @aaronstory

Today's Scripture
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:22-26

"Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross." Philippians 2:3-8

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me,and let us exalt his name together! Psalm 34:1-3

Prayer
Father in Heaven, I am your leader. Your call on my life is preeminent. I want to experience Your guiding and empowering hand  on my life  and ministry. There is nothing like knowing that your hand of the Lord is on my life. Protect me from the words of others, either too much praise or too much criticism. Help me to bear it all humbly and stay focused on pleasing you along. I want to do your will, no matter what anyone says. I will bless you today at all times, your praise will continually be in my mouth! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

¹Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe-. The Seeking Heart: Including a Short Biography. Auburn, Me: SeedSoweres, 1992.