July 10th, 2009
Making Others Better
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
My purpose in life is not to be the best I can be, in order to be better than other people. It is to be the best I can be, in order to help make other people better. I want to make better everyone who knows me.
So, when it comes to ministry, it is not about my success or me. Though I’m by nature extremely competitive, I don’t want to compete to be the greatest of all time. Not only would it be impossible but a waste of my life. I want to compete to be used to the fullest of my potential for God’s glory and others good. I want to fulfill my potential for Him. I want to become everything that God wants me to become.
The reality is that none of us are here to live for ourselves. Therefore, when we live for ourselves, we never find ourselves or the joy and fulfillment that come with it. However, when we fulfill our purpose in living for God and others, we do find ourselves and everything else we’re ultimately looking for in life. As Jesus said, those who are going to be great in His Kingdom will be servants to all, (Mark 10:43-45).
The question I must ask myself each day is: have I done anything today to make others better?
Categorized: Leadership |
Candy
Brad- I can tell you that I am a better person because of you… that sounds so deep and personal when I really don’t know you personally but it is true. I have gone/am going through a pretty difficult situation. My Dad passed away unexpectedly and tragically. My step-mom has been very manipulative, to say the least.
This is a situation that I think would have caused me great anger in the past. I remember this one service where you had a large container of marbles and you gathered them in your hands and you said that when we live in fear, we hold tight and the end result was that the more you held tight, the more marbles fell to the ground and your hands were empty.
I will never, ever, ever forget that and though I loved my Dad with my whole heart, I decided to not live in fear or anger and try not to live in hurt. In this situation, I am choosing forgiveness as much as I can.
Thank you, for making my life better by living for and spreading the love of Jesus.
Charles
How do I begin to think this way and apply this concept to my life?
bob burnside
I had to laugh one time when you were about to give a talk.The people started to applaud you.I remember you looking at our church and saying…”thank you..I like my shirt too”…….That’s when I recognized you BROTHER.I don’t know if anyone else got it……..However,I did…..
Michelle Beasley
Brad, ever since I have started coming to Northridge, you have changed my life! Kudos to you, very well said! I love your blogs and twitters! I am such a better person because of you
Brad Powell
Charles, there’s no perfect answer or easy formula for this. However, I would encourage you to focus on two things to start. First, your motivations. As you make choices, seek to begin evaluating your motivations. Am I doing or wanting this exclusively for my own benefit or am I honestly thinking of bringing benefit to others? Second, your actions. Make sure that your are intentionally investing in serving, encouraging, and helping others as a part of your daily life. This will at least get you thinking and moving in the right direction.
Roy Waddell
Brad,
Great post, Great question. I have gone thru this process myself. You asked a questioned way back in one of your talks, you said, and I am paraphrasing, if you are supposed to teach than you should be a teacher, its not about the money its about doing what God has purposed you to do. Sometimes it is a struggle to stay focused on it but I am reminded by His word and the promise that He gives, Seek first the kingdom of God and these things shall be added. Thanks for impacting others for His Kingdom and encouraging others to fulfill His purpose in their lifes.
Greg
In order for people to give themselves to others there must be people to receive. Do we also need to learn to receive? I tend not to want to receive anything from anybody even if I have a need. Is that wrong?
Gary
I think there is also another question worth asking each day: Have I hurt anyone today, especially those who love me and have been commited and faithful to me over time? Or even this one: Have I been respectful and loving even to those who have challenged or questioned my views or my choices? Have I been willing to pray for them? I pray that you would ask yourself these each day as well.
michelle
Brad, I want to thank you and your wonderful church for helping me and changing me I can now handle these tough times when I never thought I could make it and just wanted to give up, I have the inner strength to carry on when I was beat to the ground with no hope in sight. You are a Inspiration and I am always interested in what you have to say.
Jodie
Brad,
I just want to say Thank you for Loving God so much and for taking the Love he has given you and showing us what it is like to live in that Love. Since walking through the doors of Northridge nearly 3 years ago, my life(my family) has never been the same.(PRAISE GOD!). You have an awesome gift of sharing His message with all of those who come to listen. I love the fact that you encourage us every weak to pick up the Bible and feed ourselves. I have been donig that and my appetite just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Thank you so much for turning on the lights for me and showing me the path that leads home. May God Bless you Always…
Beverly Baruk
Ever since coming to NR church and having Brad Powell “minister” to me, I will never be the same…thank God my old self is being continuously replaced by the new self. I keep each Sunday outline and use it to teach my parents in their nursing home on Sundays, so I feel like a “mini pastor”, I’ve never done anything that cool in my life. Thanks to God who sent me to a place I can be saved….! B. Baruk.
Robert G
Brad,
I love your question of “Have I done anything today to make others better?” If we truely lived outward vs inward, the dynamic impact we could have upon the world to share the Love of Christ would unleash nothing the world has ever seen. We get so caught up on our own petty things but realize our troubles are nothing when we take the time to walk in the shoes of another.
Our new logo and the way you parallel it with a hurricane. That is exactly where we need to be, a driving unstoppable force, but it needs to be focused on Christ therefore, bringing His Glory to the world with that type of impact.
If we remain stuck in the past with the old we are stagnent water and are not the vessels for the living water we are called to be. It’s only when we are willing to let go of the old and seek Him first even when it is scary and painful, we know He has His hand upon us and we are safe.
Thank you for challenging me to grow in many ways. Love ya man!!!