Ron Harris

There is probably a comparable saying in many countries to what we say in the U.S…. “Talk is cheap!” That phrase can take on meaning at various levels. It may mean that it is easy to say something, hard to do it, or live it. It could mean that “much speaking” is not necessarily a virtue. And while we are communicators, we need to choose our words carefully.

Valerie Geller travels the world teaching communication principles to broadcasters. Her book Beyond Powerful Radio has become a classic and contains wisdom for all in the media field. In fact, the subtitle of that book is A Communicator’s Guide to the Internet Age. I have drawn wisdom from it for courses and seminars I have taught over the years.

In a section called Avoid Useless Chatter, Geller says, “Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.” This applies no matter what medium you are using: radio, television, or social media. Wow. Half or more of Facebook might disappear if people took this to heart—my posts included!

Valerie Geller also quotes air personality Turi Ryder, who says, “Think of all the available content as crude oil. There may be a lot of it, but it’s no good to you unless it’s refined.” One of your roles as a communicator is to take raw material and refine it for the audience. Your role is not to just replicate what you hear or read. Many have been caught on the internet passing on “fake news” because it sounded good, only to (hopefully) retract it when the false story was discovered.

Our communications need focus. We need to know our topic and the point we are trying to make. We need to be aware of the “brand” we are building. People associate what they see, hear, and experience with a person, a station, a blog, or even a product. Most of us have been disappointed when we purchased a consumer item based on the brand and discovered the brand had produced a low-cost, inferior product. Just because they could do that, should they have done it? Not if it costs them their reputation.

The Bible even addresses this topic. Solomon was pretty direct in his writings in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes:

...too many words make you a fool.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLT

Sometimes, we can improve our communication process by simply finding the “off-ramp.” We may make a solid point, then continue to ramble on, with the result that the good point is lost in our many words. Use your words carefully and communicate truth in a clear and powerful way. That has the greatest impact on your audience.

God’s best…

Many of us learned the 23rd Psalm in the King James language. Sometimes, the antiquated words and form get in the way of the passage’s meaning. But other times, there is a lyrical quality that enhances and underscores the beauty and power of the psalm in deep ways.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” That gives a different emphasis than the New Living Translation’s “He lets me rest in green meadows.” Sometimes, for our good, the Lord “maketh” us to lie down.

This came to my mind recently after returning from my second international trip in about three weeks. I was worn out and dealing with a pesky cough. The only remedy I had was to stay down for a few days. I needed to be refreshed. To be honest, that is not my nature. There is always something more to do, some planning and preparation, some writing, some something on my agenda. But God has something else for me than just “doing.” Scripture reminds us, “…times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah (Acts 19:20 NLT).”

He maketh me to lie down…

The Old Testament makes a big deal of the Sabbath day of rest. The Lord went so far as to tell His people to give the land a time of rest, to be renourished and replenished. Is there a lesson for us in that? God has admonished us to “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10 NLT).”

From my recent experience, God has given me some new insights and vision for ministry. The Lord has reminded me of the nature of our world and the deep need for us to do as Peter says, to “…set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess (1 Peter 3:15 NET).”

I am reminded that along with the global opportunities we have to reach the unreached who have never heard the Gospel, we need to be aware of those right around us. Family, friends, the waiter at the restaurant, and the person on the airplane next to us. Be ready.

For me, it starts with refreshment. Rest. I should do that on my own before the Lord “maketh” me do it. But I also need to recognize that God is doing this for my good. And…for His great purpose.

God’s best,

There was an old hymn we used to sing:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin.

The Light of the world is Jesus.

I don’t hear it much these days. Yet the message is as true today…maybe more so…than when I was young singing those words.

As I travel to various places in our world, as I look across the spiritual landscape, it is quite obvious that our world is in darkness and needs a great light. The Light of the world.

Yet most in darkness don’t see the light. They often aren’t aware they need the light. Oh, yes, many know that something is not right in their world, or more specifically, in their lives. But they don’t know what to do. Where to turn.

That’s why Jesus… the Light of the world…said to His followers:

You are the light of the world….

Matthew 5:14 NLT

The Lord went on to say that our light should shine into the darkness in a way that points others to Him, that glorifies our Heavenly Father.

Henry Blackaby in his book Experiencing God Day by Day wrote:

“There is no mistaking the effect of light upon a darkened place. Light boldly and unabashedly announces its presence and vigorously dispels darkness.”

Can I expand that just a bit? It is one thing to carry the light, to shine the light, to hold up a spiritual mirror and reflect the light. It is another thing to live the light. Today, I would say we need to hear, “Let your life so shine before men that they see Jesus and glorify our Heavenly Father. I can tell others what God’s Word says. Far better if my life also shows others that we are living and walking in that light personally.

Blackaby went further in his writing:

“God’s desire is to fill you with His light. He wants you to shine as a brilliant testimony of His presence and power in your life, so that the darkness in the lives of those around you will be displaced by the light of God’s glory. Can that be said of you as well? Do your coworkers recognize the light that is within you? Does the presence of Christ radiate from your home into your community? When God’s light is allowed to shine unhindered through your life, the darkness around you will be dispelled.”

There are many around you who need light. Their life is filled with darkness. Some of it is of their own making. Others live in circumstances where there is no light, no hope. They need to catch a glimpse of the hope in your life, and they will be drawn to that ultimate Light.

James wrote his letter to believers scattered abroad. They had a great opportunity to make an impact for Christ and the Gospel, but James had a word of warning for them:

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 1:22 NLT

So… today…let your LIFE shine before those around you so that they will see Jesus.

God’s best,

I knew a man who was the head of a major Christian organization. He was a visionary. He had so many ideas…quality ideas…that everyone was sure the agency would soar. And it did…in the idea realm. This leader was not at the helm of the ministry organization for too long. After he left, some said of him, “He had thirty-thousand-foot ideas, but he just couldn’t land the plane. He couldn’t go from vision or dream to reality.”

Do you know anyone like that? Always coming up with great ideas, but unable to bring them about? That person is more of a dreamer than a leader in many ways.

I think we all may have been in a situation like that. In our heart we have a strong desire, a dream, a vision of what could be. Sometimes that’s where it stays. A dream. A desire. But no effective plan to make that idea a reality.

Dr. Robert Jeffress in a Pathway to Victory devotional wrote, “There’s a difference in knowing your dreams and actually fulfilling your dreams.” And he used the life and leadership of Nehemiah as an example. His vision was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem.

Jeffress listed five key steps any leader can use to land that thirty-thousand-foot idea:

1. Investigation – Nehemiah walked around the wall at night to get a sense of what the job would be like, what was needed to finish the job, and what were the major obstacles.
2. Motivation – When Nehemiah announced this goal, his vision, he had to do it in a way that inspired the people of Jerusalem.
3. Determination – This leader was prepared to defend his dream against the opposition. Criticism will almost always come. A leader must be ready for it and be able to keep those he is leading moving forward toward the goal.
4. Organization – There was an urgency to the work that Nehemiah was leading the people to do. It was a long wall. And he couldn’t do it by himself. So, he organized it so that the people worked on the section of the wall nearest their home. It was both organization and motivation.
5. Implementation – Finally, you just have to start. It is harder to get something started than it is to keep it moving. Try pushing your car when it won’t start. You’ll understand that principle. In the famous Nike shoes phrase… “Just do it!”

You can see these principles laid out in the first three chapters of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. It is worth reading to learn these leadership principles.

God has called us to good works. As leaders…whether it is a ministry, a corporation, or your family…we need to lead in a way that inspires others to do the work alongside us and accomplish God’s vision He has given us.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

What dream…what good works…has the Lord given you? If it comes from God, it is part of His great plan. And we can be confident that accomplishing it will bless and draw many to Christ.

Let’s dream those thirty-thousand-foot dreams. But let’s be sure we have the plan to land the plane.

God’s best,

Those of us who have emerged as leaders, can easily reflect on our accomplishments and see the path that led us to where we are today. If we aren’t careful, we may take too much credit for our leadership role.

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) carried an article that caught my eye.

Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership.

In the article, the author used examples of some leaders who woke up to the fact that they were being drawn away from the rest of their team by accepting the accolades and perks of their leadership role. The HBR said, “The higher leaders rise in the ranks, the more they are at risk of ending up in an insulated bubble, losing touch with their colleagues, the culture, and ultimately, their clients.”

One of the more revealing quotes for me was the author’s comment, “An unchecked ego can warp our perspective or twist our values.” That should warn us as leaders to be careful how we view ourselves and our role in an organization or ministry.

When thinking about this, I like what Ken Blanchard says about EGO. In his book Lead Like Jesus Blanchard equates our human ego to an acronym.

EGO = Edging God Out.

That really says it, doesn’t it? When our ego takes over, we claim praise for ourselves that rightly should go to God. We tend to forget that anything we have, think, or do…anything…is a result of God’s grace in our lives. The Lord gives us breath. He brings about circumstances and experiences that help us develop and grow as leaders. And His Spirit provides inspiration to our thoughts. Yet we often simply Edge God Out and let our ego take over. We claim praise that belongs to the Lord and take it as our own. Edging God Out. And that is dangerous.

Through Jeremiah the prophet, the Lord admonishes us:

This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.

But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

Jeremiah 9: 23-24 NLT

Ken Blanchard offers another definition for EGO that we would be wise to embrace.

EGO = Exalt God Only.

That means doing what Jeremiah wrote those thousands of years ago…boast only that we know God and understand and acknowledge that He alone is God…and we aren’t!

So…what will it be for you and your ego? Will you Edge God Out? Or will you, more and more, day by day, Exalt God Only? The decision is yours. The glory belongs to God.

God’s best,

In leadership, we often agonize over persuading others to buy into our vision, what we see as the future of our ministry and our organization. We share what we see, hoping others will grasp it like we do and that they will desire to be a part of this great vision. We may be…to use an old saying… putting the cart before the horse.

John Maxwell’s book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership reminds us that people don’t often buy into the vision without first buying into the leader. If you are a ministry leader, YOU are the message. A board chairman friend has often told me, “People aren’t giving to a cause because of the vision, they are giving because of the leader.”

Our advertising world understands that. This is why athletic shoe companies like Nike use well-known athletes to promote their products. It is why we often see actors pitching everything from spray paint to retirement funds. Did these people suddenly become experts in these products? Probably not. But because the companies know that people like the athlete or the actor, they will be more open to what they are selling.

What does that say to us as ministry leaders? Maxwell says this:

“Every message that people receive is filtered through the messenger who delivers it. If you consider the messenger to be credible, then you believe the message has value.”

It is not that people automatically buy into your vision because they like you, but it is hard for them to accept what you are presenting if they don’t have confidence in you. You are the message to them. But how do you build credibility with those with whom you share the vision, whether it is your staff or supporters? Here are some of John Maxwell’s suggestions:

• Develop a good relationship with others.
• Be honest and authentic and develop trust.
• Hold yourself to high standards and set a good example.
• Give your team the tools to do their job better.
• Help your staff achieve their personal goals.
• Develop them as leaders.

By the way, all this takes time. Leaders have to learn to be patient, even when they feel the vision is a God-given one. Most of us cannot accomplish God’s vision without having others join with us…and that means these others, whether your staff or your supporters, have to believe in you. Take time to build credibility and integrity, and you will see God’s vision come about.

The prophet Habakkuk was waiting for a message, a vision, from the Lord. When it came, God let Habakkuk know it wouldn’t come about instantly.

This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.
If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently,
for it will surely take place.
It will not be delayed.

Habakkuk 2:3 NLT

If God has given you a vision for your ministry or organization, something that will further His kingdom, do all you can to be a worthy messenger of God’s vision… and patiently work to build the credibility needed for others to see that vision through you.

God’s best,

Who was Bartholomew (sometimes referred to as Nathanael)? If you said one of the twelve disciples, you get a gold star.

Now, what do you know about this man? That’s where I got stuck the other morning. It dawned on me that I know almost nothing about this follower of Jesus except that the Lord called him to be one of those in His inner circle of twelve men. Scholars believe Bartholomew and Nathanael to be one and the same. If so, Bartholomew is the first recorded person to declare Jesus to be the “Son of God.” And Jesus said of him, “He is a man in whom there is nothing false.”

That’s pretty much all we know. Yes, Bartholomew was among the twelve that Jesus sent out to perform miracles and to share Christ. Yes, he was with the others at the Lord’s supper in the upper room. And he was among those who watched as Jesus ascended into heaven.

But there is nothing else about him in the Bible.

So, what is my point? There are many followers of Christ who receive no recognition. They get no “press.” They serve faithfully and do so in obscurity. That goes against our culture today. We think we need to be honored and recognized to know if we are really effective in serving the Lord. Not so.

Oswald Chambers taught about this several times. In the book So Send I You, we read this:

Jesus warned His disciples that they would be treated as nobodies; He never said they would be brilliant or marvelous. We all have a lurking desire to be exhibitions for God, to be put, as it were, in His showroom.

Adoniram Judson, an American missionary to Burma for forty years, once said: “Permit us to labor on in obscurity, and at the end of twenty years, you may hear from us again.”

The Apostle Paul came at this subject another way:

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. -Colossians 3:23-24 NLT

That verse may have led Oswald Chambers to ask:

“If God chooses to have you labor in total obscurity, what is that to you?”

No, we may not make it into the world’s “Hall of Fame.” Yet we have the assurance that no matter how little people know of our efforts or even how much attention we may receive, we can all look forward to those words spoken by a master to His faithful servant:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

That should be enough.

God’s best,

I’ve got some good news! For those of us who often feel we aren’t the smartest person in the room, we can still be a person of real and lasting influence. Whether it is our kids, our staff, or our circle of friends we want to influence, most of us would like to be able to have a positive effect on these people and influence them for God and for good.

Dr. Richard Blackaby recently wrote on being a person of influence, sharing some important points and some examples from the life of his father and my spiritual mentor, Dr. Henry Blackaby. “My father, Henry, was a shy, introverted Canadian. But God used him to exert enormous influence on others.”

Richard points out that we are inundated with those who want to influence us on a daily basis.

“Political candidates constantly vie for people’s attention. Social media has provided a forum in which anyone can pontificate about their views, regardless of how misguided they might be. People clamor for attention and, at times, go to great lengths to obtain it. People often make outrageous or eye-catching statements on social media for no other apparent reason than to capture people’s attention for a few brief moments.”

People often sought out the godly wisdom Dr. Henry Blackaby shared, and with that wisdom came great influence. I was one among many who asked for guidance from this man who, though shy and certainly with his flaws, spoke wisdom into the hearts of kings, presidents, and top CEOs. A man of influence.

What does it take to have such impact? Richard Blackaby lists these items as key for a person desiring to have godly influence.

• Have something of value to say. – Modern society mistakenly assumes all opinions are equally valuable. This presumption is patently ridiculous…. How do you become someone who has something to say? Study. Think. Prepare. Too many people want the prestige of influence without paying the price to earn it.
• Refrain from speaking when you have nothing of value to contribute. – The author of Proverbs sagely declares, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Prov. 17:28 NKJV). It is humbling to acknowledge that we may never appear more profound than when we say nothing.
• Always tell the truth, regardless of how unpopular. – Sadly, in today’s politically correct climate, people frequently say things that are patently untrue but politically correct. In corporate America, people are tempted to say what management wants to hear rather than what they need to hear. If you always tell the truth, you may not always be popular, but your opinions will carry weight.
• Be discerning. – Influential people have an uncanny sense of timing. Jesus warned His followers to beware of casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). There is no point in sharing precious truth with someone who will only despise it. Better to wait until the time is ripe and the audience is open.
• Be Spirit-led. – The apostle Paul exhorted, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…” (Eph. 5:15-18 NKJV).

Richard Blackaby concludes his thoughts on being a person of influence with these words.

“In the confusing, divisive time in which we live, we need God to grant us the maximum influence possible, not for our sake but for the benefit of the people around us who need to hear God’s wisdom.”

Do you want to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around you? God’s wisdom outlasts and outperforms anything man may have to offer from a human perspective. Share His wisdom and you will find that your life has a greater influence than you thought ever possible.

God’s best,

What is your legacy? What do people say about you when your name is mentioned? What will be carved on your tombstone?

Fred Smith wanted his tombstone to say, “He Stretched Others.” I like that.

What started me thinking about this topic was an obscure verse in the list of “begats” that often bog us down in our Bible reading and study.

I make it my routine to read through the Bible each year. And some passages are just like slogging through the mud. But when I stick to it, I’m often rewarded with a surprise, a nugget, a nudge from the Lord.

So, a few mornings ago I was in Genesis 36 reading the long list of the descendants of the people, and I came across this:

The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs in the wilderness while he was grazing his father’s donkeys.)

Genesis 36:24 NLT

What is so special about that? Why was it even mentioned? Moses, the writer, wanted to be sure the reader knew which person he was talking about. So, he mentioned Anah was the one who found the hot springs in the wilderness. I can see the readers of that day saying, “Oh, THAT Anah!” And I also suspect they would be thinking of the blessing that hot spring was to them. And maybe there would be a bit of gratitude.

Most of the time, we don’t think of our legacy. We may think of our children or grandchildren and the influence we might have on them. But I believe there is more to it than that. I believe God wants us to be a source of refreshment to those around us so that at some point down the road, people will hear your name and say, “That’s the one who…”

As I have thought about that curious passage, I realized there is a lesson to be learned by us. Here is my take:

• Anah was doing what his father assigned him to do. He was willing to be obedient to his (earthly) father, and in doing that, he built a legacy.
• Anah was willing to do a menial, maybe even boring task, day after day after day. I have to believe that this wasn’t a “plum job” for anyone. But he was willing.
• In the doing of a menial and low-level task, this man discovered something that blessed others. Others could partake of the soothing hot spring waters and be grateful.

How important was that little thing…finding a hot spring in the wilderness? I don’t know… except that God saw to it that under the direction of the Holy Spirit, it was included in God’s Holy Word for us to see and… possibly… learn from.

So… what will people say about you? About me? Are you willing to do what our Father “assigns” us to do, even if it is a rather menial task? If so, there could be a surprise discovery right around the corner.

God’s best,

I’ve heard that phrase in advertisements for decades. You probably have, too. The announcer extols the virtues of a product that is “superior to any other.” And then he intones, “Why settle for less?”

What is amazing is how many times we do settle for less. Not just on consumer products but in how we live and how we serve the Lord. Less than the best.

Phil Cooke recently wrote on our current culture and the things that keep us from holding up a high standard for ourselves, our ministry work, and those we lead. Among the things he listed were these:

The Fear of Offending

In a culture that values being politically correct and avoiding offense, there’s a hesitancy to give critical feedback or point out flaws. Constructive criticism or holding individuals to high standards might be perceived as harsh or confrontational, leading to a reluctance to push for excellence.

Mediocrity in the Name of Kindness

The desire to be ‘nice’ often translates to accepting mediocrity rather than demanding excellence. Settling for average or ‘good enough’ becomes the norm to avoid potentially hurting someone’s feelings or causing discomfort.

Embracing the Average

The fear of being labeled as ‘mean’ or ‘unpleasant’ often leads to a culture that rewards mediocrity. Embracing and celebrating average performance over striving for excellence sets a standard that’s lower than what is truly achievable.

Then Phil nailed it when he said, “…when we stop inspiring excellence in our team, we’re undermining everyone’s potential.”

Settling for less than the best has long-term consequences, not just a short-term deficit. If we don’t hold to a high standard, we are pulling down the potential of each member of our team.

This is even more critical when we apply this to the personal and spiritual. Do we settle for less in our relationship with the Lord? Do we offer less than our best in our service to Christ? Do we compare our offering…our lives, and our service…to what Christ did on the cross? God gave His very best…His son Jesus…so we might have fellowship with Him for all eternity. What is our commitment to Almighty God? Oswald Chambers called it “Our Utmost for His Highest.”

Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus, commending them for their faith and pointing out what God did for them and for us.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

Let your heart be flooded with God’s greatness poured out for you. And let your work be a reflection of the excellence the Lord has shown you…so others may understand God’s great love. In Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:16…

…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

God’s best,