Marc Estes

In today’s society, many measure success by how far you have climbed up the ladder of success. Many have attempted to find fulfillment in life through the home they live in, the cars they drive, the toys they possess, and the number of people that answer them at the office. For many, the desired end result of peace, happiness and fulfillment is often replaced with great disappointment and emptiness.

From God’s perspective (which by they way, should be ours, since He knows a little more than we do), He measures success not by what you gain, but what you lose, by giving of  yourself, your time, your resources and energy for the sake of others. Serving with the right motive and for the right purpose releases a sense of acceptance, belonging and significance, unlike any other human act.  It is no wonder I cry everytime I watch “Extreme Home Makeover.”  I challenge you to click the link and just watch for a few minutes to see if you are inspired and compelled to serve!

Jesus, as the Master Servant, understood the principles of serving and knew that these principles operating in the life of an individual would  bring the true joy and fulfillment that all desire to have in their  lives. This is His desire for you!  Here is my definition of a servant-hearted person:

 ”One who willingly gives up their own rights and interests, and dedicates their time, resources and energy for the benefit of meeting the needs of others.”

Write this down and put it on your dashboard, your desk or the mirror in your bathroom. Look at it everyday and take steps to live it out.  You will find you will have much more satisfaction and fulfillment as a person when you stop living for yourself and start living for others.

Here are a few quotes that will make you think:

“Servanthood is not difficult to define; it is only difficult to achieve.” – John Maxwell -

“The best way to find out whether or not you really have a servant’s heart is to see what your reaction is when somebody treats you like one.” – Elizabeth Elliot -

“The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves.” – D. L. Moody -

One of the greatest challenges a church leader will face is how to sustain motivation in those who volunteer in ministry. It is God’s will that the church be built by every person finding their place of meaningful service. God has the plan in place, but we must do our part to create an environment that appreciates those who are willing to give their precious time and energy to building the church.

There are some general principles that you can apply to ensure that your ministry area is filled with people excited to serve on an ongoing basis.  Here are ten areas to consider and questions to ask yourself regarding your ability to motivate volunteers in your area of ministry:

A.   Build Relationships:

“Do those serving in my ministry area experience genuine community?”

In most cases, serving together should allow people to bond together. Those who have genuine relationships desire to spend time together, especially when they share common vision.

B.   Have Fun:

“Do those serving in my ministry area seem to be happy? Is the environment filled with fun and laughter regularly?

Having fun is a sure recipe for great volunteer satisfaction. Laughter and fun can be a great measuring rod to the health of your ministry area. People must realize that “Jesus is our joy and not our job.” If people seemed stressed out it might be time to re-evaluate what is taking place in your ministry area.

C.    Have Defined Roles:

“Does each volunteer have a clear understanding as to what is expected of them?

People are down on what they are not up on! One of the greatest ways to discourage a volunteer is to not have clear duties and responsibilities defined for them when they show up to serve. Volunteers want to know exactly what you expect from them. Have a defined description of every position and spend the time to discuss each point in detail.

D.   Proper Tools and Equipment:

“Does each volunteer have the proper tools and training necessary to be the best at what they do?”

It is discouraging to a volunteer to be asked to accomplish a task or work on a project but not have the proper training or adequate tools necessary to complete the job. Each volunteer should be adequately trained in every area they are asked to serve BEFORE releasing them to serve. In addition, make sure to have the right tools (computer, teaching materials, finances, people, etc) to complete the job.

E.    Encouragement and Appreciation

“Do I regularly encourage my volunteers publicly? Do I show them appreciation through practical and meaningful acts?

The most important two words you can ever say to a volunteer is, “thank you.” Encouragement and appreciation are the two components needed to keep volunteers to serve long term. People want to be appreciated for their sacrifice. You may also look for ways to honor them regularly. Take them out for a meal, invite them over to your home, bring them a latte’, or even present them with an award or certificate.

F.    Give Ownership

“Do I allow my volunteers to be a part of shaping their area of service? Do I give them the opportunity to share creative ideas and ways to improve their ministry area?

A common trait found in most every person is the desire to make a difference. Although many will serve simply out of the goodness of their heart, long-term there is the quest for significance. People, who feel like they own a part of a ministry, will give their life for it. Provide plenty of opportunity for your volunteers to assist you in shaping and molding their ministry areas. You never know, they just might do it better than you!

G. Emphasize The Big Picture

“Do my volunteers understand how significant their area of ministry plays in the church’s ability to fulfill its purpose and vision?”

When volunteers in the church-regardless of where they are serving-really understand how their service makes a significant contribution to the accomplishment of the church’s overall mission and vision-then they tend to be motivated to serve! To say it another way, volunteers who understand the big picture and their role in seeing that picture realized – those are the motivated volunteers!

 

H. Communicate

“Do I regularly communicate with my volunteers regarding ministry details, directions and decisions?”

Lack of communication will always result in a lack of motivation. Be sure to communicate clearly and regularly with volunteers regarding all aspects of your ministry area. 

I. Care

“Do I know enough about my volunteers to effectively care for any needs that may arise in their life?

It has been said, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” One of the primary responsibilities of a Ministry Leader is to shepherd those entrusted into your care. We can never be too busy to get involved in the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to serve our ministry areas and us. Be sure and take the pulse of each of your volunteers in every area of their life.

J.  Pray

“Do I pray regularly for each volunteer by name?” “Do I pray regularly for each volunteer needed?

The most powerful tool you have to build and motivate your ministry team is prayer. Prayer moves the heart of God to move the hearts of men. More prayer for your volunteer team will always result in happier, healthier people.

 

As a kid, I remember playing a game with the neighborhood kids called, “King of the Mountain.” The goal of the game was to step on heads and attempt to make your way to the top of a heap of bodies and remain on the top as long as possible. There was no consideration of those under you and it was inevitable that someone would always get hurt.  This innocent little game was only one of the many influences that enforced the secular approach to doing life.

This approach permiates most sectors of our society and is more formally known as, “survival of the fittest.”  It has become common place in our culture to, “look out for number one”  and do whatever it takes to get to the top, regardless of the expense of others around you.

Could it be that there is another perspective that should be considered? Is true fulfillment really found at the top of the pile, as the world so eloquently portray it to be? Is there another set of values that we should be pursuing that just might bring a higher level of satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives? Does God’s word have something to say about where we should  be investing our passions, energy and interest? Could it be that millions are giving their lives to climb to the top of the pile only to find that there is nothing of true value once they arrive?

One of the most meaningful, yet challenging books to me is Philippians. It is while in prison, that Paul begins to unveil his discovery of finding the revelation regarding his intent to journey toward the bottom of the pile. Paul opens his heart, shares from his life experiences admitting he had tried the “top of the Dog Pile” approach only to find it empty and worthless.

Phil 3:4-7 ( The Message Bible) “The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash–along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant–dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash.”

Earlier on in Chapter 2, he prefaces his conclusion by describing three simple, yet priceless nuggets regarding his perception of life’s journey to the bottom of the pile and uses Christ’s example regarding this true path to fulfillment.

1. Selfish ambition and fleshly pursuits will get you nowhere in God’s eyes. (Philippians 2:1-5)

 “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care– then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

 

2. Serving others before yourself is the real road to fulfillment. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.  He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death–and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.

 

3. The degree you serve determines the degree of God’s honor in your life. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth–even those long ago dead and buried–will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.”

 

Before you waste another moment working your way to the top of the pile, you might consider living life another way. You just mind end up more fulfilled. Think about it!

 

Most people believe in some concept of God. Yet how we define God is as important as our belief in Him. Four percent of Americans today believe they are gods themselves. Another seven percent believe that God is the total realization of personal, human potential. (2) If that happens to be a belief system to which you ascribe, be prepared to accept the colossal ramifications of being bound by your own human limitations. On the other hand, if you believe that God is unchangeable (Heb. 13:8), unequaled (Isa. 40:13-25), infinite (1 Kings 8:27), all-powerful (Jer. 32:17), ever-present (Ps. 139:7-12), and all-knowing (1 John 3:20), there is a much better chance that you will reach your intended destiny with the assistance of an incredibly powerful God who is willing to lead you every step of the way.

It is also important to understand that He is a personal God. He personally loves you very much (1 John 4:8,16). He will always be truthful with you (Ps. 117:2). You can count on Him being merciful when you fall short (Lam. 3:22–23). He is also fair in every circumstance (Ps. 89:14), and thankfully, He is very patient (Exod. 34:6-7).

What a relief to know that there is a loving, personal God that is on our side, coaching us and believing in us. He is for you, not against you. He is your number-one fan. Understanding that God is a very personal God and that He possesses these unchangeable attributes brings added confidence that you can really make your life amount to something eternally meaningful.

The concept of being individually created and chosen by God is a basic biblical concept. We learned it as children in Sunday school—“red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight”—and we solidly believed it because, at that point, we hadn’t learned the perceived “value” of being the same as everyone else. As children not yet influenced by commercialism or the status quo, we accepted our uniqueness.

And then we grew up.

As adults, it’s easy to take the devil’s bait, comparing ourselves to what we see in popular culture, trying to become something else and therefore attaching value to an identity that was never meant to be ours in the first place. And when we learn that we can’t adequately imitate that identity, our self-worth plunges and the things that stood in the way of achieving that identity become perceived faults to overcome. But God never intended for us to feel that way.

Embracing the fact that God, the Creator of the universe, had you mapped out on the drawing board before time began can be a hard pill to swallow in light of how we often view ourselves. Lucky you … despite your faults (the perceived ones and the real ones), the idea that God chose you and created you for His purpose may be beyond your human comprehension, but it’s entirely true!

How do you really feel about yourself? How do you think God feels about you? At your core, do you really believe that God cares for you? Do you really embrace the fact that you are important to Him and His purpose?

Fortunately, I have developed a completely different view of myself through the eyes of my heavenly Father. God’s Word, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, has reshaped my self-worth and my potential for greatness to reflect how God sees me—not the way I think others see me or the way I saw myself previously. I have learned the hard way that how I see myself and how I feel about myself have a vast impact on how far I’ll go in life. Therefore, I choose to believe that I am one of God’s chosen and that He created me specifically this way. He cares for me and thinks I am fantastically unique. 

I thought I would try to get a little dialogue going with you regarding a pretty controversial subject; the Bible. There is a growing number of people that think the Bible is a great book but definitely not 100% true. 

Where do you stand on the issue? What concerns do you have?  Let me hear from you.

All of us are aware of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. After watching the late night news, I was overwhelmed with compassion and concern as I thought about the thousands that were stuck in rubble and many more sleeping on the streets. As I sat in my warm bed and house, I felt crippled as to what I might do to help those in need. I am sure this calamity  has weighed heavy on all of our hearts. If you are like me, you find yourself  wondering, “what can I do? The need is so great, yet my resources are so limited.”

After much prayer, I really felt that there is something I can do, and you can make a difference with me.  The wonderful part of modern-day technology is the power to network in a rapid fashion. At the press on one button, I can send this information to thousands of people, who can in turn send to their relationships. In a matter of a day hundreds of thousands can be a part, and if we all do a little, we can accomplish alot,  resulting in making a major impact.

There are three things I would ask you to consider doing:

1. Pray - There is power in prayer. Take a few minutes today to pray for the rescue efforts. Pray for the people that are trapped to be found and that God’s peace would cover them. Pray for the Aid to get to the people (food, water and medical supplies). Pray for God’s grace to be with those that have lost a love one.

2. Donate -I understand that times are tough, but also know that God will take care of your needs as you help those in need. I also understand it is a challenge to find an organization that will use the monies donated in an ethical manner. While I know that no matter how much I give it will barely make a dent in the needs, I also know that if each one of us gives even a few dollars, it will add up and it WILL help. The organization that I am recommending to you is one that is connected with our church network. Pastors Marc and Lisa Honorat are great pastors that we are connected with in Haiti. Their organization, Haiti Arisehas been key in response to the hurricanes that have ravaged Haiti in recent years. They are proven in addressing both the natural and spiritual needs of the people of Haiti. Haiti Arise has feet on the ground in Port au Prince. To make a disaster relief donation to this ministry go to: www.HaitiArise.org These wonderful people can be trusted and you can be assured that all monies will go immediately to meeting the needs.

3. Pass this blog post to a friend -On the bottom of this page is a “Share” button. You can simply click this button, send to your Facebook or MySpace friends, or email it to someone.

Thanks for taking the time to make a difference today. God will bless you as a result!

Marc

 

Recently, I was asked by a young lady, “What is the big deal about God anyway? Why do you even seek for Him? It sure seems like a waste of time for me.” Well, she was half right. It maybe a waste of time for her, but not for me. In fact the older I get, the more I recognize my need for God in my life.  That is by no means admitting that I am some spineless, weak, needy person, but I do recognize that life is pretty difficult with out Him.

Receiving the benefits from God is much more than believing in Him. There are over 200 million Americans alone that say they believe in God, yet so many of those live empty frustrated lives. Many get just enough God in their lives to make their lives miserable. I learned long ago that life is just better with God in charge. I am always amazed at how so many people will live in misery and never think about bringing God into their situation. Too bad for them!

To answer my young lady friend, I thought I would just put a few reasons, “Why I seek God.” My prayer is that these might inspire you to get God more involved in your everyday world. You never know, you might just get addicted to seeking Him.

Eight Big Rewards for Seeking God:

1. You will find Him - Proverbs 8:17 says, “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.” I love this promise. If I just stop trying to do life my way and look to God to help, I am promised I will find Him.

2. He will find you – James 4:8 states, “Draw near to God and He will draw nearer to you.” This is the exciting part. He seeks you! He notices YOU. He loves YOU. He desires a relationship     with YOU.  But he won’t chase you if you don’t desire Him. He has given you a free will.

3. He will meet your needs – Matthew 6:33 promises, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  God knows all your needs even before you do. He is like the perfect Father who desires to take care  of the needs of His children.  

4. He will protect you – Psalm 27 5 mentions, “For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me.” There is too many ways we can get side-swiped. The devil, the world and the flesh are hell-bent on getting you to veer off course. Seek Him places you under His covering.

5. He will Shower you with His Righteousness - Hosea 10:12  promises us, ” Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.”  His righteousness is one of the greatest rewards you will ever receive. Once you understand the reality of His righteousness in your life, you will become overwhelmed with gratefulness.

6. He will give you great joy – Here is a great promise for you. Psalm 119:2  says, “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” I don’t know about you but life is too short to live miserable. I have found that seeking God produces a joy in me that is indescribable as well as sustainable every day of my life.

7.  He will help you succeed – How about this one, 2 Chronicles 26:6 says, “And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.” If God created the heavens and the universe, why wouldn’t we allow Him to help us in all that we do? Many people today spend so much of our lives trying to do things our own way, on our own strength. Give God a  chance, seek him and see if he won’t help you succeed.

8.  You will receive an eternal home -  Hebrews 11:16 mentions, “That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” This city is an eternal place called heaven. If you just give God a chance, ask Him to forgive you of living life without Him and pray for Him take His rightful place as your Lord and Savior, He promises that you will spend eternity with Him.

When it is all said and done, these are enough reasons for me to seek God. How about you? If you have any questions  as to how you might become a God-seeker, just let me know. I would love to dialouge with you.

I just had my wonderful friend George upgrade my blog and add some more bells and whistles. Most of the changes you will not see, but there are many great benefits on the back side that will help me to better communicate to all those you that come to my blog.

One of the new features is a “Share This” button at the bottom of each post. This simple tool will allow you to forward any post that you feel is worthy to share with others. You can send a simple email, or if your REALLY like what you read, you can forward to your Facebook or MySpace page.

Do me a favor. Find your favorite post and do your good friend Marc a favor and share it with the world. I would appreciate it!

Marc

One of my favorite movies growing up was, “The Wizard of Oz.”  We watched this movie every year without fail. The family would gather around the tube and watch the story unfold with great anticipation as if it were for the first time; it never got old.

As I have grown older, I have reflected back on this childhood memory and recognize how life is much like the journey Dorothy and her friends experienced on the Wizard of Oz. We all are on a journey with some expectation as to what the end result of our journey might be. We meet some friends along the way, who may not be all who they presented themselves to be. There will always be some surprises, not to mention a few flying monkeys and wicked witches that cross our path attempting to stop of from reaching our intended destination. Once we finally arrive, we realize that it wasn’t what we expected, but the end result is that we became better people in the process.

 How we expect the journey to unfold is rarely the way the journey unfolds. Life is filled with surprises, detours, set backs and disappointments. From an initial glance we might perceive these alterations as an irritation or hindrance to our intended goal, when in actuality may very well be the means God uses to do a deeper work in our lives.  In all my years of ‘following the yellow brick road’ I have discovered some important lessons along the way:

A.    The process develops your character

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

B.    The process reveals your weaknesses

James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing

C.    The process builds dependence on God

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

D.    The process strengthens your faith

1 Peter 1:6-7 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine…

E.    The process challenges your motives

Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

F.    The process brings you back to reality

Zechariah 13:9 I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”

G.    The process purges non-essentials

Hebrews 12:10-11 But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

H.    The process reminds you of what is most important

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

The next time you face a surprise along the road to your intended destination, be encouraged that God just might be working a great thing in your life.