Monthly Archives: February 2017

Desert Experiences

When challenges loom larger than life.

Life has a way of bringing issues that are seemingly so vast and insurmountable that hopelessness arises quickly to steal vision. “Dream Dashers” or “Desert Experiences” I would title the books that could easily be written by almost any entrepreneur, writer, artist or ministry. All of us face this same formidable foe at one point or another, and it is no small task that must be overcome.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Whatever you do, do it as though you are employed by God. Knowing that He will give both strength and provision to accomplish what He has called you to do. Rest assured that what things stand in the way are big compared to you but small compared to God.

If there were nothing to overcome, how could you become an overcomer?

Consider this perspective: if an obstacle arises to block my progress, I can seek wisdom from either of two sources, God or the world. Both can provide a game plan for me to follow. Take note of this Bible verse with that in mind.

1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.

Our faith! In other words which choice do I believe and act upon? Which choice will make me a victorious overcomer? I desire for my ideas, choices, and decisions to be born of God. God ideas, not just good ideas. Sometimes the world actually has good ideas, but God ideas are out-of-this-world better!

Rejections, disappointments, failures, lack, and the list goes on of “Desert Experiences” that we face and need to be able to overcome. The good news is that God never runs out of ideas. Our lack of faith to believe those God-ideas is the only real “Dream Killer” that will keep us from overcoming whatever the world throws at us.

3 Keys to Overcoming “Desert Experiences”

1.) Deserts are dry! So, you need the Water of the Word: Jesus is the living water.

2.) Deserts are a place of temptation! The enemy will come and test your commitment levels offering what looks like alternative good ideas. Testing of the original “Born of God” idea will reveal your faith.

3.) Deserts are a bad place to wander around for 40 years. Without water and without the God Idea, wandering in the desert is what happens. Some die out there, so avoid wandering and get started being an overcomer. All the God-ideas come with a good set of instructions.

Your challenges may seem bigger than life, but they are never bigger than God.

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

Read this and other blog posts on our websites.

www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org

photo-By Lionello DelPiccolo (Large)

Which way do we go?

How to lead the way when you are totally lost!

Honestly, that is just not going to happen, is it? The baseline definition of a leader is: “One who knows the way.” The world is full of want-to-be leaders, but who really knows the way? The USA where I live has just undergone a change of leadership, and our entire country is prayerfully hoping our new leaders will lead us in the right direction. Some of us are expectant, others are fearful, but all of us should be prayerful!

The following thoughts are intended to challenge your thinking a little concerning leadership. I want to take a look at leadership from two perspectives:

1) You as the leader

  • Are you real? Just because you are a leader does not always mean you are the leader. Collaboration is a wonderful concept but useless and time-consuming without real leadership to guide it.
  • Are you a leader of one or many? What grows, matures or changes with more people to lead? What stays the same no matter the number you are leading?
  • Is there someone with you that has some knowledge, experience, or ability you do not have? If so, do you have the wisdom to utilize it?
  • If you do not know the way, do not take the lead. If someone else knows a better way, let them take the point for a while. This makes you more, not less, a leader.

Pride always leads to disaster

2) You choosing a leader to follow

  • Do they know the way? Even a bad leader can get you somewhere if they know the way. If reaching a destination is all you need, this leader is able. If you want to arrive safely, morally, ethically, or financially, your search may not be over.
  • Follow integrity above intrigue. Is this leader upright and consistent? Can they deliver what they promise?
  • Is there any peace associated with the choice? If everything looks good but there is no peace about the decision, wait until there is, or do not follow this leader.

Peace surpasses understanding, trust peace

There are many other things to consider concerning leadership. My hope is that these thoughts will help you in some way.

Let me suggest a great leadership model written years ago about a truly great leader. * NKJV and my own thoughts inserted in ( )

Psalms 23 The Lord is my shepherd (I know who my leader is.)

I shall not want (Under his leadership I will lack nothing. I trust him!)

He makes me lay down in green pastures (Because the grass is green and plentiful, I am full! I can not eat more. It’s nap time!)

He leads me beside the still waters (He does not lead to strife or troubled waters but to peace and refreshing…. life more abundant.)

He restores my soul (My mind, will & emotions (soul) are repaired by Him.)

He leads me in paths of righteousness (He leads the right way at the right time.)

For His name’s sake (Because his name is honorable, He will not lead me to destruction but to life.)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.(I have full confidence in my leader. He is equipped to guide and defend me, and the integrity of his name is above reproach. What Comfort My Leader Is To Me.)

Follow and mimic this kind of leadership and you will do well!

Fred Hughes, M. Photog.

photo-By Peter Hershey

photo-By Peter Hershey (Large)

Which way do we go?

 

Read this and other blog posts on our websites.

www.byfredhughes.com ~ www.decision1.org