by Rick Warren
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.
Proverbs 15:22 (NLT)
*** *** *** ***
We all need mentors – other believers – to guide us in our walk with Christ. We need people to coach and train us in ministry.
Mentors can bring out the best in you and help you achieve God’s unique mission for your life. Mentors help you keep growing – in your roles, your goals, and your soul.
Using mentors is common in a lot of professions. For instance, doctors mentor younger doctors; musicians mentor other musicians. If you search the Internet, you’ll find all kinds of organizations that are now using some sort of mentoring process.
Why? We learn best through mentors. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.” (NLT)
Is there someone advising you? If not, find a mentor – perhaps an older Christian who can help you on your path toward Jesus-like maturity, or a Christian who is a few steps ahead of you in his prayer life or a few steps ahead in her ability to witness.
When I’m with a mentor, I focus on these two things:
1. Ask questions – Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” (NIV) Everyone has a reservoir of knowledge, skills, and experience to share. You are being wise when you draw these out and learn from another.
You don’t have to limit asking questions to just one mentor you meet with on a regular basis. You can meet mentors anywhere. Make a little 3-by-5 card and keep it with you – with standard questions to ask every time you get around a quality person.
I have my own set of standard questions. Whenever I am around someone I can learn from, I pull out my card. I ask questions like:
• How do you handle stress?
• What have been the greatest successes in your life, and what are the causes of it?
• What were the greatest failures in your life?
• What would you do differently if you were doing life over?
• What kind of books do you read?
• How do you manage your time?
• How do you manage your money?
• What have been the greatest lessons you’ve learned?
• What have been the greatest surprises in your life?
2. Accept feedback – Ecclesiastes 7:5 says, “It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!” (NLT) Feedback is absolutely essential to fulfilling God’s mission for your life. If you don’t get feedback, you’re going to get off course.
Did you know that in all the Apollo space flights to the moon the astronauts had to do constant course corrections? The earth was turning, the moon was turning, and there was a rotation going on. In order to get the rocket to the spot on the moon where it was supposed to be at a certain time, the astronauts had to continually correct their course. To do so, they had to get feedback.
If you’re not open to feedback, you’re not going to learn, you’re not going to grow, and you’re not going to develop. You need to learn to accept criticism.
Go out and find someone you trust, someone with skills and experiences you can learn from, and ask that person to be your mentor.
(Editor’s Note: We’re excited to announce that your Daily Devotionals will now be from Pastor Rick Warren! We are grateful to Jon Walker for his season of ministry through these devotionals and wish him well as he continues his ministry journey.)
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
He knows me...
I Am Glad God Knows Me
Today’s Scripture Reading: John 10:2–10
Key Verse: John 10:2–3
He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
We need to shake the modern myth that we have to go to conventions to get blessed. I think it is much more effective and biblical to get up in the morning and shout a good prayer confession into the heavenlies! Try this one:
I thank God that I am blessed to be a Christian. Now let me tell you something, devil. Because God has blessed me, I have the joy of the Lord and you cannot steal it away! Wait, there is more: I also have the peace of God, and you cannot have that either! In fact, you might as well go someplace else because I have everything I need in Christ Jesus. I am going to walk and talk about my Jesus. I am going to be a blessing, and naturally, people are going to bless me too.
Now that you brought it up, I do feel that pain, but in a little while God is going to move this pain. Yes, I have a little arthritis here and there, but I am still moving forward because in Him I live, move, and have my being. You cannot discourage me because Jesus Christ has encouraged me! I am out to snatch some people out of your kingdom and put them in God’s marvelous light. In fact, I am looking for somebody who is unsaved. I am looking for somebody to whom I can witness. I do not have time for you anymore; I have to get busy with my Father’s business.
Next time you feel less than blessed, and you sense that old convention compulsion coming on, ask yourself three questions: Did I wake up looking for a blessing or looking to be a blessing? What do I shout in the morning? Is God telling me to attend a convention to get blessed or is it just my flesh man?
Today's Prayer:
Thank You, Jesus. I have a feeling that everything is going to be just fine because You are walking with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. You never leave me, even when I stay at home or hide myself away in my prayer closet to spend some precious time with You. You do not need to look at my name tag to know who I am, and you do not need to know my credentials to love me. That is the greatest comfort in the world. I know that I am blessed because You have called me into Your presence by name.
Today’s Scripture Reading: John 10:2–10
Key Verse: John 10:2–3
He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
We need to shake the modern myth that we have to go to conventions to get blessed. I think it is much more effective and biblical to get up in the morning and shout a good prayer confession into the heavenlies! Try this one:
I thank God that I am blessed to be a Christian. Now let me tell you something, devil. Because God has blessed me, I have the joy of the Lord and you cannot steal it away! Wait, there is more: I also have the peace of God, and you cannot have that either! In fact, you might as well go someplace else because I have everything I need in Christ Jesus. I am going to walk and talk about my Jesus. I am going to be a blessing, and naturally, people are going to bless me too.
Now that you brought it up, I do feel that pain, but in a little while God is going to move this pain. Yes, I have a little arthritis here and there, but I am still moving forward because in Him I live, move, and have my being. You cannot discourage me because Jesus Christ has encouraged me! I am out to snatch some people out of your kingdom and put them in God’s marvelous light. In fact, I am looking for somebody who is unsaved. I am looking for somebody to whom I can witness. I do not have time for you anymore; I have to get busy with my Father’s business.
Next time you feel less than blessed, and you sense that old convention compulsion coming on, ask yourself three questions: Did I wake up looking for a blessing or looking to be a blessing? What do I shout in the morning? Is God telling me to attend a convention to get blessed or is it just my flesh man?
Today's Prayer:
Thank You, Jesus. I have a feeling that everything is going to be just fine because You are walking with me. Your rod and staff comfort me. You never leave me, even when I stay at home or hide myself away in my prayer closet to spend some precious time with You. You do not need to look at my name tag to know who I am, and you do not need to know my credentials to love me. That is the greatest comfort in the world. I know that I am blessed because You have called me into Your presence by name.
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