In chapters 37-50 of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we read the life story of Joseph. Joseph is a great example of someone who “rises above his apparent circumstances. First, sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph stayed focused on the Lord – and he prospered to be in charge of the household of a prominent official, comparable to a governor of one of our states.

Then Joseph is wrongly accused of attempted rape. Accused by the wife Joseph’s employer. Accused by a woman who was trying to seduce Joseph. Joseph’s employer has Josephhas Joseph imprisoned.

Joseph rises to be placed in charge of everyone in this prison. Scripture says the prison officials did not worry with anything about this prison because Joseph was in charge. Later, Joseph is released to become the King’s (of this foreign land) right hand man, second in command of the nation of Egypt.

Lets look at three things to learn from Joseph to Rise Above Our Apparent Circumstances.

1, Remain True to Biblical Principles – Joseph’s faith did not quiver. He remained true to his faith in God and his biblical understanding. Joseph never dwelt on the negative of his situation. Instead, he searched for God in the midst. Wherever Joseph was, no matter what the situation he found himself in, Joseph gave his very best.

2, Use What God has Given You – It is easier to take the “woe is me” route as opposed to pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and rising above the apparent circumstances, isn’t it? Joseph could’ve taken the attitude of, “I’m in prison. This unbearable miry muck. There is nothing I can do for God here.”

Joseph did not wait for the day God would use him after he got out of prison.  He chose to use what God had given him in the situation he was in. He made a difference and God saw to it that he was elevated above the other prisoners.

3, Remain Confident in God – I believe Joseph was content knowing God was going to take care of him, in or out of prison. He dreamed of being second in command in this oppressive foreign land. Yet, one day he would wear the king’s signet ring. Joseph was a man of strong conviction. A conviction of carrying on through even adverse circumstances.

You’ve not been sold into slavery or placed in prison for your beliefs. The mire and muck of whatever situation you are going through, you can live as Joseph lived (each one of us can) and rise above those apparent circumstances.

Joseph was only one man. A teenager sold into slavery, later wrongfully imprisoned. Yet God used him to save and preserve not only one nation, but many. You cannot possibly know the great and mighty things God wants to do through your life.

Do you have the mind and attitude of Joseph? To do your very best for God in every situation?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

In recent posts we’ve shared about multi-generational relationships. While these relationships are important to reaching people of different generations, relationship building should never be viewed as a means to coerce others into our ways of thinking or adopt our practices. People of all generations are in need of relationships. God created us this way.

As discussed in another post building relationships requires us first to understand their particular cultural orientation. This does not mean we must like and adapt to their generational practice – i.e. music, dress style, their lingo or other habits. Yet, fostering a new relationship includes understanding where the other person is coming from. Example: Generation Z (Gen Zers), those teens and just now entering their adult years, research shows 75% do not want to let others down. The same number, 75%, want to make a difference in the lives of other people. Get to know and understand those God places in your path.

To be heard, we must first listen to understand regardless of the generation. To enter into a relationship each person must believe of the other person, “You matter to me. I care about who you are and your goals in life. I am willing to invest in you to allow you to become all God created you to be.” Fostering relationships with others begins with us. It is a common practice to wait for others of another generation to come to us. Yet, this is not a God-honoring, well-meaning practice. We, you and I, must be willing to reach out with a listening ear to show we care.

1. Perhaps the greatest teaching technique used by Jesus was stories. Stories paint a mental picture that creates a learning experience. Do not be afraid to use stories – yours and stories of others to foster new relationships with other generations (and listen to their stories). Expose your vulnerability through some stories.
2. Demonstrate Empathy. Empathy is the willingness to get into the mental and emotional feelings of another person. To earn the trust and respect required in fostering a new relationship empathy gives the other person permission to share his/her vulnerabilities with a sense of security. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” This is demonstrating empathy.
3. Be an effective listener. Do not only listen to respond. Listen to understand. It is in our nature to key in on the first couple sentences and form a response. That is not effective listening and will destroy chances of fostering a healthy relationship.
4. Prayer is always a major source of fostering relationships. Not only praying for the other person but asking how you can pray for them. Include them in your prayer time, pray with him/her.

Certainly, these are not the only concepts for developing relationships. Pray and use your experience of what made other relationships work in your life. What are you looking for in genuine relationships? This is what others want too. Begin today praying for your role in fostering new intergenerational relationships.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

If you are of the older generations alive today and were asked for descriptive words of the youngest generations today, what words come to mind? Likewise, if you of the younger generations today were asked for descriptive words of the older generations, what words would you use? Were most of your words negative or positive?

Unfortunately, for far too many people, when thinking of other generations we tend to focus on the negative and we categorize an entire generation (fifty-seventy thousand people) as a whole. “Old, curmudgeon, stuck in their ways.” or “Lazy, ungrateful, entitlement attitude.” Why is it we lean to finding the negative in other generations? Would we not be better off focusing on the positives, the things we have in common and the positive traits of others that may be lacking in ourselves?

Indeed, we would! We need to take the time to understand other generations who may have different thoughts, opinions, and practices. Perhaps the first idea to eliminate is that every person in a particular generation is a clone with all bad traits. Each person in every generation is a unique individual created by the God of the universe to live today in this particular nation, state, and local community for a purpose.

Once we understand this, we should strive with great effort to employ the greatest avenue of understanding others – through genuine relationship. It is only through relationships that you and I can understand each other in our uniqueness. God created us this way and He has placed people of different generations in your life to assist you and for you to assist them, in learning and in life.

As the church we must understand that truth (God’s Word) is best understood in relationship. God created us this way and demonstrated it for us. God Himself came down from the splendidness of heaven to walk among us first in the garden of Eden, and ultimately as Christ, the Messiah, kinsman redeemer.

He could have sent an angel or other messenger, but God created us for relationship. Jesus came in human form to live among us so that we could know the intimacy of a relationship with the God of the universe. Jesus lived life with His Disciples and others. He ate with them, walked with them, went to the market, prayed, attended church services with them. Jesus lived life in relationship with His Disciples and others so that we could all understand loving relationships.

God’s principle remains today, truth is best learned and sustained through relationship. You and I must relationally commit to passing on truth to other generations through our daily interactions with those around us, bringing them into the fold of life and introducing them to God’s truths through loving relationships. We each must teach, practice, and personify God’s truth through fostering new relationships with people of various generations. How will you lovingly practice God’s truth in fostering relationships that please God with other generational people in your life?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

A young man in his early thirties walked up to a pool one day. When he arrived, more than 300 people were already sitting, laying around the pool. This was not a pool of pleasure and enjoyment. This was known as a pool of healing, its proper name, The Pool of Bethesda. The young man was Jesus. He was on a mission that day, a lesson was to be learned by everyone in Jerusalem and for us today.

Jesus is part of the Triune Godhead. He is God. Jesus could have spoken the words and everyone there that day would’ve been healed. Instead, His focus was on one man, one man who had been paralyzed, unable to walk for thirty-eight years. The gospel of John tells the story in chapter five.

In verse six, Jesus asked the paralyzed man a question, a very simple, straight-forward question. “Do you want to get well?” If you had a cold, or something as debilitation as cancer or diabetes and someone asked you that question what would you say? Of course we all want to be well, we want to be rid of any ailment. Yet, this man on this day, does not answer the question posed by Jesus.

Instead, He says, “Sir, I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” What was he doing? He was making excuses, much like we do today. For years I thought that was it, he was simply making excuses, and I could relate that to many in the church today. As I was preparing to share with a church last week, I realized it was not only excuses. The paralytic man was making excuses because he could not see beyond the obstacles in front of him.

He did not answer the question because he could not see God’s provision standing in front of him. In the next verse we see Jesus’ response. He did not coddle, sympathize, or empathize with the man. Jesus again straight-forward gives a command. “Get up. Take up your mat and walk.” If you’ve ever had surgery or had your leg in a cast for several weeks, you know it takes time to regain strength to walk. This man had not been able to walk for 38 years, yet he immediately stood straight up – without help, then bent over (another impossibility) and picked up his mat and walked away from the pool.

Jesus looked right past the man’s words and watched for his actions. Today, we make excuses often because we cannot see beyond the obstacles in front of us. “We don’t have enough people or money.” Or “We’re all too old.” If you believe in the God of creation then you should know He is the God who can overcome all obstacles and provide exactly what we need. It’s not your words, but your actions that prove your faith commitment.

Today, what will your prayer consist of asking for God’s forgiveness for the obstacles that you have focused on, keeping you from seeing God’s miraculous victory in your life and the life of your church?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

While most students and adults today seem outwardly happy, happiness is always fleeting. Happiness comes from outside influences and is never lasting. A compliment or gift may bring you happiness, but that happiness will soon fade, leaving an emptiness.  Then we must go searching for something to fill the void. Therefore, searching for happiness is a continuous process. Searching for happiness can bring disappointment and loneliness.

Recent studies have revealed an increasing health crisis, especially in Generation Z (GenZ born 1997-2012). Partly due to technology and instant gratification coupled with an ingrained belief that individualism is the highest certainty (authority) strips people of many needed, well-balanced mental processes. Individualism leads to loneliness.

“Gen Zers have been raised in an age in which speed and convenience rule the day.” Not only GenZ, but many of all our generations today expect instantaneous delivery of every aspect of life, our food, shopping experiences, music, even our healthcare. In the past the attention span of young children was estimated at one minute for every year of age, a five year old can only focus on any one thing for five minutes.

With the speed and convenience of today’s technology, studies show Gen Zers (13-28 yr old) average attention span is eight seconds. Television, the internet, and other venues have designed programming that has shortened attention spans of all age groups. Short attention spans demands more choices, more options, more, more, more, which leads to loneliness.

We know loneliness leads to depression and unnecessary angst. We do not need more studies revealing what we can see all around us everyday, lonely people, more and more on anti-depressants and other drugs. What we as the church need is to help move people from the endless chase for happiness to the pursuit of true Joy.

 While happiness stems from outside circumstances, true joy comes only from God. God’s Joy, the only true lasting joy comes from within, a God-given attribute that fulfills and sustains even in times of struggle. His Joy is not fleeting and will never fade.

Joy comes from God, and it comes through us turning loose of self-desires to serving others without expectation of reciprocity (nothing in return). As the church, the people of God, we must practice and lead others in practicing Joy. Practicing our God-given Joy requires practicing humility, and a gratefulness for this moment we have been given to live in today.

While we are each created as a unique individual, individualism that says I am the highest authority, places a person and a society on a direct collision course with the God of the universe. It is detrimental to an individual and to society. We the church, God’s people, have an understanding of the answer. Will we, will you as an individual, choose practicing God’s gift of Joy by serving and helping others with no expectation of getting anything in return? How will you commit to teaching and leading others to do the same?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

Every Bible study small group should have one. Yet, many people in churches have no clue what a Ministry List is, nor have they heard of one. It is not a list of ministries. As I travel working with churches I seek to find out if the Bible study classes (Sunday School or other) take attendance, make a head count, or do nothing at all. Some people believe that taking attendance is a relic from the past and not necessary today. Others believe it may be okay for children’s classes but not for adults. Rarely is it ever considered that not taking attendance could be part of the cause of the decline in many of our churches today.

A ministry list should be present in every Bible study class. A ministry list is not only for taking attendance, it has many discipleship benefits for the class and each individual.

Minister To & With When your name appears on the Ministry List of a small group Bible study, you are agreeing to Minister To and With every person on that list. A ministry list is not only for one person to place a check mark in front of the names of all present. It is a list of everyone we agree to minister To in our group and that we also agree to carry out active ministry endeavors with, to others inside the church, community and around worldwide.

A second benefit is that disciple maturity comes through ministering & fellowshipping together. With a ministry list you can ensure that everyone is at least invited to serve together in ministry projects. We grow together in relationships and in spirituality when we serve together putting into practice what we study in our Bible study group.

Lessens the chance of Someone Falling through the Cracks A third benefit of a ministry list is it lessens the chance of someone falling through the cracks. With a ministry list in place and maintained properly, you can eliminate speculative conversations concerning absentees.

Not only for keeping up with and caring for absentees, a ministry list can assist the class in making sure no one is left out of planning or participating in class activities, caring for others, or class get-togethers. Too often those quiet or fringe people never get asked or included in participation in things he/she might enjoy and may have a special giftedness.

Gives Everyone Opportunity to Serve Tied in with the other benefits is the fact that a Ministry List gives everyone a place to serve and grow. If your name is on that list, you have agreed to minister To and With every other person on that list. Each person has gifts, talents, and treasures to offer. Not any one person has been called or gifted to meet every need or to respond in every situation. Yet, in your small group, there is someone gifted with meeting individual needs as they arise.

What will it take to activate a true Ministry list for your group(s)?

This post is excerpted from an upcoming book on 7 Essentials for every Bible study small group.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

On this Memorial Day I came across this well-known letter from Major Sullivan Ballou to his beloved wife just days before his death. Ballou’s letter captures not only the passion for life and love of family, but also respect for the divine, and spirit of patriotic righteousness that led many men to enlist in times of war in generations past. This is only part of the letter. Please look it up and read its entirety.

Headquarters, Camp Clark
Washington, D.C., July 14, 1861

My Very Dear Wife:

Indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write a few lines, that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.

Our movement may be one of a few days duration…and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine, O God be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield…, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans upon the triumph of government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution, and I am willing, perfectly willing to lay down all my joys in this life to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

But, my dear wife, when I know, that with my own joys, I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with care and sorrows, when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it, as their only sustenance, to my dear little children, is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country.

I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night,… I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country and thee.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless. It seems to bind me with mighty cables, that nothing but Omnipotence can break; and yet, my love of country comes over me like a strong wind, and bears me irresistibly on with all those chains, to the battlefield. The memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with you come crowding over me…I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them so long…how hard it is for me to give them up, and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our boys grow up to honorable manhood around us.

I know I have but few claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me, perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, nor that, when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name…

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.

Movies have been made, stories have been written, and each one of us could share of personal experiences of poor leadership. Even Jesus’ own Disciples debated of who would come out top of the list of leading for Jesus.

At one point, James and John, brothers, the sons of Zebedee, petitioned Jesus for seats of highest position. Some have said these two even recruited their mother to petition Jesus on their behalf, referring to Matthew 20:20-28. If they did indeed put her up to it, that is pretty low. Either way it shows our desire to be above the rest. The other disciples were caught up in the desire to be “leader of the pack” as well.

One author commented on the exchange this way, “Everybody was caught off guard. Stunned. The commanding General of heaven’s armies looked them in the eyes and made Himself so perfectly clear that not even a child in their midst could have missed the point.”

  “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. ²⁶ It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus made it clear, Leadership is not about being “the boss”. It is about serving. Leadership is not about lording over someone, it is not about strutting, but about stooping to supply. Leadership is not about demanding from, but caring for.

In this short passage Jesus clarified for us the reality of leadership. He demonstrated this type of leadership for three and a half years.

Leadership is conducted in one of two ways. The first is by fear of punishment. The other is through the art of loving care. One is productive, the other might appear productive, yet not with desired results. Leadership based on love and care will always prove more fruitful and effective.

Too often in the world and in church we miss this tremendous principle of production. We may not realize it but too often we are perceived as strutting around demanding submission rather than stooping into the trenches to show that we care enough to share the workload.

Jesus said of that mindset of control by position, demanding submission, “It shall not be so among you!” Cry out to God asking for the mind of Christ in all your roles of leading and pray for the leaders of your church to be Christ-minded leaders.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.