Passage of the Day [Yesterday]: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study for Feb. 4: Exodus, Chapters 18 … To study this chapter, go to this link -
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Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study for Feb. 5: Exodus, Chapters 19-21 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
Exodus 18: 13-23 … : … [Taking Good Advice] ... 13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
My Journal for Today: Well, today, I read through the Chapters (i.e., 19-21) of Exodus, as instructed and planned for me in the Chronological Reading Plan from the Bible reading website, YouVersion.com; and there is so much meat from which I could journal my comments this morning. There is the story of Moses going up Mount Sinai and God reinstating His Covenant with Moses in Chapter 19. Of course, there is the rather meaty chapter in Exodus 20 about none-other-than the Ten Commandments; … as well as God’s instructions on the proper use of altar worship, all of which one could comment for days. Then there are the instructions God gave through Moses in Chapter 21 about the laws given to the people to allow them to be obedient to God’s purposes and His will for their lives, including none other than the “eye-for-an-eye” principle. You’d think I could find something from these chapters on which I could journal; wouldn’t you?
But yesterday, as I was closing out my journaling from Exodus 16-18, in the verses copied above from 13-23, something caught my teacher’s eye, which I felt compelled to comment on here today. So, I hope any reader following along with the Chronological reading plan, after reading through all the meat of Chapters 19-21, will allow me the latitude of going back and commenting on the passage God seems to not let me leave without blogging from yesterday (i.e., the meaty passage copied above).
That passage above is the story of Moses getting some advice from his father-in-law, Jethro, the Midianite shepherd, about how Moses was using his time and delegating leadership in his role as Shepherd for God’s people. Have you ever felt like you just had too much going on in your life? Maybe you felt like you were strung out in the various roles you are required to hold down. These days many of us have a lot of roles for which we must be “the master.” I’m a retiree; and you would think that would allow me a lot of latitude for “time management.” And I do have a lot control over my time choices. But in my life, I’m a husband, a father, a grandfather, a church elder, an adult teacher in my church, the founder/leader of a discipleship ministry, and the not-so-small matter of being a disciple of Jesus Christ in a world that is becoming ever more burdensome because of the evil demands it places on any follower of Christ.
Therefore, that is why the passage from yesterday’s reading plan rang so clear and true for me and has led me to return for comment here today. I just don’t want to miss the chance to document how strongly Jethro’s advice for Moses means to someone, like me, who can very easily take on too much and try to do too much for too many people in my life. I’m one who finds it very difficult to say “NO” to people and the demands from the world. Maybe you’re one of those “people-pleasers” like me. Well, if so, we could all take to heart how Jethro was trying to help Moses.
My friends, if you’re one, like me, who has to wear a lot of hats, masks, and robes, we simply must learn to decide what’s most important and to find others in our lives, who can help shoulder the load with us. Jesus knew this principle; and He was (and is) God! He knew that the responsibilities of the Savior-of-mankind were going to have to be shared by others; so he found a few others and then charged the rest to all of His Church (i.e., His Bride) to carry His load to the world [that of course, is the Great Commission]. And if that advice was good enough for Moses and for Jesus, don’t you think it’s good enough for you and me?
So, I hope you take in – as I have – the advice of Jethro to Moses, and from Jesus in His life example, and find others to help us carry the burdens which God has given us to carry. Think about it, when someone comes to you and says, “I really need some help with this task; and I know you could help me out with your abilities;” how does that make you feel? You’d feel complimented and would want to help, wouldn’t you? Now, of course, you’d have to prioritize that demand with the challenges and roles in your life. However, if you had the time and could help your friend who’d asked you to share some of his burdens, you’d do it, wouldn’t you?
And so, I hope we’ll all take Jethro’s advice to heart to seek out and get the help of others when we’re feeling burdened by the demand of our lives.
My Prayer Today: … Lord, thank you for those in my life who help me carry the burdens You’ve given me to carry. Amen
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Sunday, October 10, 2010
2010 – October 10 – Leadership with Integrity
Study from God’s Word… Nehemiah, Chapter 7, then 11-12 … Passage for Reflection: Nehemiah 1: 2 … NIV 2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.
My Journal for Today: So, I’m reading on in Nehemiah, and in Chapter 6, we read that the walls for the city had been miraculously rebuilt in just 52 days, a remarkable feat; but then again, those of us who know and believe in God Almighty know that nothing is impossible when God has called one to a task. As my mentor used to tell me, “God’s calling will always come with His enablement.”
But what now for Nehemiah, this great leader who’d been called by God to lead a contingency of God’s people back to Jerusalem to rebuild those walls. Well, now that the walls are rebuilt, Nehemiah, being the leader he is, realizes that there is need for organization of the people and to promote resettlement of God’s great city, … the City of David. And so, he feels a second calling on his life … to utilize his obvious spiritual gifts of leadership and administration. Now the task is to get the right people into the city from those who had been living outside the walls and to establish organization and re-establishment of the Jewish traditions of the priesthood and let God’s order prevail again in the Temple city.
So, one of his first orders was to appoint his brother, Hanani, along with one other Jewish leader, Hananiah, as chief of the gatekeepers, which would have been like appointing his brother as the co-sheriff of Jerusalem, a very critical position. But why his brother? Doesn’t this smack of nepotism; and maybe it would, if we didn’t have Nehemiah’s own explanation for the appointment? But it would not be terribly surprising for anyone who knew Nehemiah to realize that he would elevate his brother, Hanani, to a position of leadership, because it had been Hanani who had brought the news of the walls needing repair back to Susa when Nehemiah was the cup-bearer for Artaxerxes (see Neh. 1: 2).
But beyond this emotional and familial connection, Nehemiah, in today’s highlight text tells all that he chose his brother to fill this critical position because of the spiritual integrity of Hanani. And a man in Nehemiah’s position, as Governor of God’s Holy City, being able to trust the integrity of any of the city leaders would have been one of the main criteria for Nehemiah selecting that man into leadership.
And surely we recognize, as did Nehemiah, that he could only trust men in leadership who feared and revered God. And Nehemiah had not only seen how his brother Hanani had traveled all the way from Jerusalem to Susa to bring the news of the broken walls to Nehemiah; but he surely had seen his brother in action while the walls were being rebuilt (though we don’t know all these details). Nehemiah had seen Hanani’s reverence for God in action; and now he needed a man to be an overseer of security for the city; and his brother was an obvious choice.
As Dr. Smith puts it this morning in his devotional, ”One’s lack of integrity begins with one’s lack of a relationship with God. Lying only happens because of what is underlying.” And the opposite is true, of course. One’s veracity and strong moral character are measured by the depth of relationship one has with God Almighty. And Nehemiah knew he could trust his brother because Hanani, as Nehemiah put it, “… feared God more than most men do.” And I’ve learned over years of personal growth and ministerial experience, that one can really only trust the integrity of another who has a deep and abiding relationship with Christ; and that is generally measured the spiritual fruit in his life (see Galatians 5: 22, 23) and the discipline and depth of that believer’s daily devotional life.
So, I repeat the question put forth by Dr. Smith for our personal examination, another of those LOOK IN THE MIRROR questions. He writes, ”Am I a person of such integrity that God Himself could fee comfortable putting me in charge of some special task, however lowly?”
So, let’s look in the mirror of truth and answer that one!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, as Your child, You know I love You and fear You; … so, dear Lord, ... choose me! Send me! I want to serve You in any way YOU desire. Amen
My Journal for Today: So, I’m reading on in Nehemiah, and in Chapter 6, we read that the walls for the city had been miraculously rebuilt in just 52 days, a remarkable feat; but then again, those of us who know and believe in God Almighty know that nothing is impossible when God has called one to a task. As my mentor used to tell me, “God’s calling will always come with His enablement.”
But what now for Nehemiah, this great leader who’d been called by God to lead a contingency of God’s people back to Jerusalem to rebuild those walls. Well, now that the walls are rebuilt, Nehemiah, being the leader he is, realizes that there is need for organization of the people and to promote resettlement of God’s great city, … the City of David. And so, he feels a second calling on his life … to utilize his obvious spiritual gifts of leadership and administration. Now the task is to get the right people into the city from those who had been living outside the walls and to establish organization and re-establishment of the Jewish traditions of the priesthood and let God’s order prevail again in the Temple city.
So, one of his first orders was to appoint his brother, Hanani, along with one other Jewish leader, Hananiah, as chief of the gatekeepers, which would have been like appointing his brother as the co-sheriff of Jerusalem, a very critical position. But why his brother? Doesn’t this smack of nepotism; and maybe it would, if we didn’t have Nehemiah’s own explanation for the appointment? But it would not be terribly surprising for anyone who knew Nehemiah to realize that he would elevate his brother, Hanani, to a position of leadership, because it had been Hanani who had brought the news of the walls needing repair back to Susa when Nehemiah was the cup-bearer for Artaxerxes (see Neh. 1: 2).
But beyond this emotional and familial connection, Nehemiah, in today’s highlight text tells all that he chose his brother to fill this critical position because of the spiritual integrity of Hanani. And a man in Nehemiah’s position, as Governor of God’s Holy City, being able to trust the integrity of any of the city leaders would have been one of the main criteria for Nehemiah selecting that man into leadership.
And surely we recognize, as did Nehemiah, that he could only trust men in leadership who feared and revered God. And Nehemiah had not only seen how his brother Hanani had traveled all the way from Jerusalem to Susa to bring the news of the broken walls to Nehemiah; but he surely had seen his brother in action while the walls were being rebuilt (though we don’t know all these details). Nehemiah had seen Hanani’s reverence for God in action; and now he needed a man to be an overseer of security for the city; and his brother was an obvious choice.
As Dr. Smith puts it this morning in his devotional, ”One’s lack of integrity begins with one’s lack of a relationship with God. Lying only happens because of what is underlying.” And the opposite is true, of course. One’s veracity and strong moral character are measured by the depth of relationship one has with God Almighty. And Nehemiah knew he could trust his brother because Hanani, as Nehemiah put it, “… feared God more than most men do.” And I’ve learned over years of personal growth and ministerial experience, that one can really only trust the integrity of another who has a deep and abiding relationship with Christ; and that is generally measured the spiritual fruit in his life (see Galatians 5: 22, 23) and the discipline and depth of that believer’s daily devotional life.
So, I repeat the question put forth by Dr. Smith for our personal examination, another of those LOOK IN THE MIRROR questions. He writes, ”Am I a person of such integrity that God Himself could fee comfortable putting me in charge of some special task, however lowly?”
So, let’s look in the mirror of truth and answer that one!
My Prayer for Today: Lord, as Your child, You know I love You and fear You; … so, dear Lord, ... choose me! Send me! I want to serve You in any way YOU desire. Amen
Saturday, March 20, 2010
2010 – Mar. 20 – Godly Leadership
Study from God’s Word…Judges, Chapter 8 and 9 … Passage for Reflection: Judges 8: 23 … NIV 23 But Gideon told them, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you."
My Journal for Today: The premise of Dr. Smith’s journal entry from his devotional for today is worthy to state, up front, as the highlight truth from my study of Judges 8 & 9 today. He writes: Unless I’m willing to let God be king of my own world, how can I possibly be king of any other world?”
And therein lies the story of Gideon, who was offered, by God’s people, the opportunity to become their king, especially since he had led the people to be freed from the control of the Midianites. However, Gideon realized and recognized Who the real KING was and who had really led them to victory in his day. He knew that the Lord was their deliverer; and so, he exhorted the people to recognize this truth as well and to make God their king.
Can you imagine some of our political leaders today being willing to recognize and transfer their power over to the One who really deserves it, … God? No, unfortunately when some get a taste of leadership control today, they become addicted to the power very quickly. How many of our elected leaders do you see recognizing God’s anointing and His part in their positions of leadership? It just doesn’t happen; does it? When today’s leaders, in whatever sphere of life you may recognize, get a position of control, they want to keep it and to develop as much power as they can so that they can exercise as much control as they can.
Who today would live by the teachings of the King of kings Who taught and modeled “servant leadership?” Gideon, in the biblical times which I’m studying now, recognized exactly on Whom the leadership of God’s people should rest; but unfortunately, just as today, the people seek leaders who will take the reigns of leadership; and one who will take their own individual responsibilities for leadership, copping out to “the king.”
I hope we all recognize that in certain aspects of our lives, each of us needs to be the “servant leader,” stretching ourselves to exercise our personal control over that God-anointed part of our life. We cannot, and should not, turn over all control and responsibility for leadership to the CEOs, the politicians, and/or the worldly leaders who would gladly desire to control our lives. When God calls us to lead in certain areas of life, we need to lead; and then, God will give us, as He did for Gideon, what it takes to get God’s job done for His glory. And so, let us learn and lead as God so designates. And when we do, He will get the glory.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, if You call me to lead, I will lead. If I am to follow, I will follow. Amen
My Journal for Today: The premise of Dr. Smith’s journal entry from his devotional for today is worthy to state, up front, as the highlight truth from my study of Judges 8 & 9 today. He writes: Unless I’m willing to let God be king of my own world, how can I possibly be king of any other world?”
And therein lies the story of Gideon, who was offered, by God’s people, the opportunity to become their king, especially since he had led the people to be freed from the control of the Midianites. However, Gideon realized and recognized Who the real KING was and who had really led them to victory in his day. He knew that the Lord was their deliverer; and so, he exhorted the people to recognize this truth as well and to make God their king.
Can you imagine some of our political leaders today being willing to recognize and transfer their power over to the One who really deserves it, … God? No, unfortunately when some get a taste of leadership control today, they become addicted to the power very quickly. How many of our elected leaders do you see recognizing God’s anointing and His part in their positions of leadership? It just doesn’t happen; does it? When today’s leaders, in whatever sphere of life you may recognize, get a position of control, they want to keep it and to develop as much power as they can so that they can exercise as much control as they can.
Who today would live by the teachings of the King of kings Who taught and modeled “servant leadership?” Gideon, in the biblical times which I’m studying now, recognized exactly on Whom the leadership of God’s people should rest; but unfortunately, just as today, the people seek leaders who will take the reigns of leadership; and one who will take their own individual responsibilities for leadership, copping out to “the king.”
I hope we all recognize that in certain aspects of our lives, each of us needs to be the “servant leader,” stretching ourselves to exercise our personal control over that God-anointed part of our life. We cannot, and should not, turn over all control and responsibility for leadership to the CEOs, the politicians, and/or the worldly leaders who would gladly desire to control our lives. When God calls us to lead in certain areas of life, we need to lead; and then, God will give us, as He did for Gideon, what it takes to get God’s job done for His glory. And so, let us learn and lead as God so designates. And when we do, He will get the glory.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, if You call me to lead, I will lead. If I am to follow, I will follow. Amen
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2009 – Day 360.Dec 27 – Sad Day
Passage for Study: 1st Samuel 10 – 11 … 1st Sam. 10 – 11 linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Well, … the Hebrew people got what they wanted, … a regal and proud warrior, a physically good looking man, and a charismatic leader. And they ushered him in as their king, giving over to him the allegiance and worship which had been due to God Himself. It seemed as if this was the crowning glory of Israel. It seemed that this man, Saul, was the one to bring Israel together and result in the change and glory that they had once had when Moses led them out of Egypt and Joshua consolidated the Hebrew nations, taking them into the Promised Land.
In 1st Samuel 10 – 11, it would seem that Israel had ushered in the glory days; but from God’s perspective, this was one of Israel’s saddest seasons. And as we know when we read ahead in God’s word, we can read of how God, Who had allowed His Spirit to be on Saul for a season in giving the people a king and the kind of king they desired, would retract His Spirit, and allow Saul’s sin nature to come to the surface, which led to chaos, confusion, and consuming degradation. Because of Saul’s impatience, rebellion, jealousy, and all-consuming pride, Saul, as Swindoll points out, “… shriveled into a twisted, maniacal, pathetic figure. … No one (in those days) could see it; … but slowly and ever so surely [evil] polluted the waters of [Saul’s] mind and soiled his soul.”
As Swindoll closes his devotional entry for today, he speculates on what the prime qualities of leadership are which you’d look for if you were trying to elevate someone to become the CEO of your company; and the prime one he pointed to was MODESTY, which I believe evolves out of a combination HUMILITY and MEEKNESS. These qualities in a leader are the only character adjectives Jesus ever used (in the NT) to describe Himself (see Matthew 11: 29 in the AMP version); and so, our God incarnate, has given us, by self proclamation and example, the prime qualities we should look for when vote for our leaders. And one must ask himself/herself, “Have we done so these days, when, in looking for change, we voted for a President who promised he would bring change to our land. He’s physically good looking; and he’s charismatic. He seems to promise that America can lead the world into a new realm of glory.
However, do we now have that leader, one who has the modesty, humility, and meekness which are Christlike and will be able to bring us the protection and leadership which brought America into prominence in the past? Or have we elected a pride-driven leader who is consumed with power and will not allow God’s Spirit to lead him to follow the only source of power Who can bring our land back to the grace we once knew which glorified God and God alone? I’ll let you speculate and answer that question for yourself.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive us for where we have taken this land. And I implore Your mercy in this season of change, which, if we continue on this course, will bring Your wrath of separation from us. I know You, by your promises of Deut. 31: 6 and Hebrews 13: 5, won’t abandon Your remnant, Lord; so we pray patiently, as You’ve instructed in 2nd Chron. 7: 14, for Your healing to come to our land. Amen
My Journal for Today: Well, … the Hebrew people got what they wanted, … a regal and proud warrior, a physically good looking man, and a charismatic leader. And they ushered him in as their king, giving over to him the allegiance and worship which had been due to God Himself. It seemed as if this was the crowning glory of Israel. It seemed that this man, Saul, was the one to bring Israel together and result in the change and glory that they had once had when Moses led them out of Egypt and Joshua consolidated the Hebrew nations, taking them into the Promised Land.
In 1st Samuel 10 – 11, it would seem that Israel had ushered in the glory days; but from God’s perspective, this was one of Israel’s saddest seasons. And as we know when we read ahead in God’s word, we can read of how God, Who had allowed His Spirit to be on Saul for a season in giving the people a king and the kind of king they desired, would retract His Spirit, and allow Saul’s sin nature to come to the surface, which led to chaos, confusion, and consuming degradation. Because of Saul’s impatience, rebellion, jealousy, and all-consuming pride, Saul, as Swindoll points out, “… shriveled into a twisted, maniacal, pathetic figure. … No one (in those days) could see it; … but slowly and ever so surely [evil] polluted the waters of [Saul’s] mind and soiled his soul.”
As Swindoll closes his devotional entry for today, he speculates on what the prime qualities of leadership are which you’d look for if you were trying to elevate someone to become the CEO of your company; and the prime one he pointed to was MODESTY, which I believe evolves out of a combination HUMILITY and MEEKNESS. These qualities in a leader are the only character adjectives Jesus ever used (in the NT) to describe Himself (see Matthew 11: 29 in the AMP version); and so, our God incarnate, has given us, by self proclamation and example, the prime qualities we should look for when vote for our leaders. And one must ask himself/herself, “Have we done so these days, when, in looking for change, we voted for a President who promised he would bring change to our land. He’s physically good looking; and he’s charismatic. He seems to promise that America can lead the world into a new realm of glory.
However, do we now have that leader, one who has the modesty, humility, and meekness which are Christlike and will be able to bring us the protection and leadership which brought America into prominence in the past? Or have we elected a pride-driven leader who is consumed with power and will not allow God’s Spirit to lead him to follow the only source of power Who can bring our land back to the grace we once knew which glorified God and God alone? I’ll let you speculate and answer that question for yourself.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive us for where we have taken this land. And I implore Your mercy in this season of change, which, if we continue on this course, will bring Your wrath of separation from us. I know You, by your promises of Deut. 31: 6 and Hebrews 13: 5, won’t abandon Your remnant, Lord; so we pray patiently, as You’ve instructed in 2nd Chron. 7: 14, for Your healing to come to our land. Amen
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
2009 – Day 306.Nov 03 – Gentle Nudging
Passage for Study: Acts 12: 25 – 13: 3 … 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.
Acts 13 1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
My Journal for Today: This is an interesting, and, as Swindoll points out, telling scenario in today’s passage, which, I believe, has some difficulty translating into our modern day church life. Remember, the church at Antioch was firing on all cylinders, growing rapidly. But in the midst of this time of Spirit-led success, The Holy Spirit intervenes with a message of radical change, somehow getting the message to the leaders of the Antioch Church that Saul/Paul and his buddy, Barnabas, were to move out on a mission trip, a long-term mission trip. And so, here’s God, unexpectedly calling out 40% of the leadership of that church; and what was there reaction? Well, it was immediate and joyful. They surrendered to God’s Spirit and sent these two out for God’s glory.
Now I think about this. I just came from an Elder meeting at our church last night. I wonder what would happen if five of our Board of Elders [that’s 40%], including our Senior Pastor, came into the meeting and announced they had gotten God’s call to leave our midst and go to Africa together; AND what if they also said that didn’t know when, or if, they would be returning. Well, I think it would throw our church leadership into panic mode rather than the surrender mode seen by the Antioch church leaders in today’s passage.
What I’m trying to say here is that we Christians, even more mature Christians, have a tendency to get into a comfort zone and we do not react well to change, even if it comes from the gentle, or not-so-gentle, nudging of God, the Holy Spirit. What happened for the Antioch five was a radical change; but the way they responded was to do exactly what Jesus would one day instruct His disciples (in Luke 9: 23) to “… deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”
I just wonder if I could, as a leader in my church, be surrendered to God’s Spirit enough, and be mature enough in my faith, to do what the Antioch church leaders did or what Christ Himself commands of me as His disciple. I hope I could; but I also know that I like my comfort zone; and in my life, I’m not one who digs change all that well. How about you? Are you seeking and responding to the world, to your self, or to God, the Holy Spirit, as things change in your life?
I hope we all can learn from and apply the message of today’s passage and devotional application to our lives, genuinely seeking God’s leading; and when we get it, following it obediently.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I know that Your calling is Your enablement; but I pray that I will be obedient to Your lead and follow when You call. Amen
Acts 13 1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
My Journal for Today: This is an interesting, and, as Swindoll points out, telling scenario in today’s passage, which, I believe, has some difficulty translating into our modern day church life. Remember, the church at Antioch was firing on all cylinders, growing rapidly. But in the midst of this time of Spirit-led success, The Holy Spirit intervenes with a message of radical change, somehow getting the message to the leaders of the Antioch Church that Saul/Paul and his buddy, Barnabas, were to move out on a mission trip, a long-term mission trip. And so, here’s God, unexpectedly calling out 40% of the leadership of that church; and what was there reaction? Well, it was immediate and joyful. They surrendered to God’s Spirit and sent these two out for God’s glory.
Now I think about this. I just came from an Elder meeting at our church last night. I wonder what would happen if five of our Board of Elders [that’s 40%], including our Senior Pastor, came into the meeting and announced they had gotten God’s call to leave our midst and go to Africa together; AND what if they also said that didn’t know when, or if, they would be returning. Well, I think it would throw our church leadership into panic mode rather than the surrender mode seen by the Antioch church leaders in today’s passage.
What I’m trying to say here is that we Christians, even more mature Christians, have a tendency to get into a comfort zone and we do not react well to change, even if it comes from the gentle, or not-so-gentle, nudging of God, the Holy Spirit. What happened for the Antioch five was a radical change; but the way they responded was to do exactly what Jesus would one day instruct His disciples (in Luke 9: 23) to “… deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”
I just wonder if I could, as a leader in my church, be surrendered to God’s Spirit enough, and be mature enough in my faith, to do what the Antioch church leaders did or what Christ Himself commands of me as His disciple. I hope I could; but I also know that I like my comfort zone; and in my life, I’m not one who digs change all that well. How about you? Are you seeking and responding to the world, to your self, or to God, the Holy Spirit, as things change in your life?
I hope we all can learn from and apply the message of today’s passage and devotional application to our lives, genuinely seeking God’s leading; and when we get it, following it obediently.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I know that Your calling is Your enablement; but I pray that I will be obedient to Your lead and follow when You call. Amen
Sunday, April 05, 2009
2009 – Day 94.Apr. 5 – A Shepherd’s Heart
2009 – Day 94.Apr. 5 – A Shepherd’s Heart
Passage of the Day: Numbers 27: 12 – 23 … Link to study passage …
My Journal for Today: Realizing that he, Moses, would never be the one to lead God’s chosen into the promised land, Moses recognized that the one to do so needed to have special qualities; and having been the “shepherd” of these people in the wilderness, Moses was perceptive to note that they didn’t need a CEO type or an organizational superstar. No, he saw that God’s flock needed another shepherd. As Swindoll points out we read that in today’s passage in Numbers 27: 17, where Moses pleads with God, saying, “…who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Interesting, but not unpredictable, that God would choose one named “Joshua” to do so, the name “Joshua” meaning, “the one who saves,” the same root Hebrew name from which comes “Yeshua” (or “Jesus”).
Moses recognized what any Pastor or Christian leader recognizes today, … that disciples of Christ, in order to fulfill Christ’s own command to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23) need leadership who will lead a body of believers as a shepherd leads his flock. Hence we read the repeated middle-eastern Bible references to the Messiah being our “Good Shepherd;” and Jesus, Himself, uses the same word-picture comparison (see John 10). It is a word picture completely understood from the context of the Middle Eastern, 1st Century cultures. The flocks of sheep of those days would have been totally lost and vulnerable to the preditors of the country side if they didn’t have a “good shepherd.”
Even today, the Pastor or Elders of any church are the shepherds of that flock. In 1st Peter 5: 1 – 8 [link provided] the Apostle Peter realized that and used this word picture of a shepherd watching over his flock to illustrate how Christian leaders needed to lead as a shepherd leads his sheep, protecting them from the dangers of the world, depicted as a “roaring lion” in this passage (see verse 8).
Anyone, as I have, who has been called to “pastor” a flock of Christians, recognizes how his designated body will flock to him, needing to stay close and follow the oversight that a “shepherd” would provide for a flock of sheep. And the younger, the more immature, in the flock may be, the closer they need to stay to the oversight of the shepherd (i.e., leader) of that flock. However, occasionally one, or more, of those wayward “lambs” will wander off, isolating himself from the flock and getting into dangerous territory. That is like the story of the wayward lamb in Luke 15: 1 – 7 [linked]. Again we see the biblical word picture of how important God, The Good Shepherd, our Messiah, sees every one in His Flock, the Church.
You and I are sheep, dear one. And we are wayward lambs, as Isaiah 53: 6 [linked] clearly depicts. But as that verse also declares, our Lord has taken upon Himself the iniquity of us all. My friends, we need to stay close to The Good Shepherd and remain close to the flock of believers for protection and sustenance, especially if we don’t have the maturity or the calling to lead. For those who are more mature and have taken on some calling to leadership of God’s flock, we need to become “shepherds” following our Model, The Good Shepherd, Who is always willing to do all He can to protect and raise up the flock for God’s glory. The Apostle Paul recognized this as he told his Corinthian flock, (in 1st Cor. 11: 1), “Imitate me; just as I also imitate Christ.”
I pray, fellow lamb of God, that we all follow the Good Shepherd closely; and I pray, you shepherds, that you feed and tend your flock, following our Good Shepherd’s example.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are my Good Shepherd. Help me to shepherd the flock You have ordained me to lead. Amen
Passage of the Day: Numbers 27: 12 – 23 … Link to study passage …
My Journal for Today: Realizing that he, Moses, would never be the one to lead God’s chosen into the promised land, Moses recognized that the one to do so needed to have special qualities; and having been the “shepherd” of these people in the wilderness, Moses was perceptive to note that they didn’t need a CEO type or an organizational superstar. No, he saw that God’s flock needed another shepherd. As Swindoll points out we read that in today’s passage in Numbers 27: 17, where Moses pleads with God, saying, “…who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Interesting, but not unpredictable, that God would choose one named “Joshua” to do so, the name “Joshua” meaning, “the one who saves,” the same root Hebrew name from which comes “Yeshua” (or “Jesus”).
Moses recognized what any Pastor or Christian leader recognizes today, … that disciples of Christ, in order to fulfill Christ’s own command to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23) need leadership who will lead a body of believers as a shepherd leads his flock. Hence we read the repeated middle-eastern Bible references to the Messiah being our “Good Shepherd;” and Jesus, Himself, uses the same word-picture comparison (see John 10). It is a word picture completely understood from the context of the Middle Eastern, 1st Century cultures. The flocks of sheep of those days would have been totally lost and vulnerable to the preditors of the country side if they didn’t have a “good shepherd.”
Even today, the Pastor or Elders of any church are the shepherds of that flock. In 1st Peter 5: 1 – 8 [link provided] the Apostle Peter realized that and used this word picture of a shepherd watching over his flock to illustrate how Christian leaders needed to lead as a shepherd leads his sheep, protecting them from the dangers of the world, depicted as a “roaring lion” in this passage (see verse 8).
Anyone, as I have, who has been called to “pastor” a flock of Christians, recognizes how his designated body will flock to him, needing to stay close and follow the oversight that a “shepherd” would provide for a flock of sheep. And the younger, the more immature, in the flock may be, the closer they need to stay to the oversight of the shepherd (i.e., leader) of that flock. However, occasionally one, or more, of those wayward “lambs” will wander off, isolating himself from the flock and getting into dangerous territory. That is like the story of the wayward lamb in Luke 15: 1 – 7 [linked]. Again we see the biblical word picture of how important God, The Good Shepherd, our Messiah, sees every one in His Flock, the Church.
You and I are sheep, dear one. And we are wayward lambs, as Isaiah 53: 6 [linked] clearly depicts. But as that verse also declares, our Lord has taken upon Himself the iniquity of us all. My friends, we need to stay close to The Good Shepherd and remain close to the flock of believers for protection and sustenance, especially if we don’t have the maturity or the calling to lead. For those who are more mature and have taken on some calling to leadership of God’s flock, we need to become “shepherds” following our Model, The Good Shepherd, Who is always willing to do all He can to protect and raise up the flock for God’s glory. The Apostle Paul recognized this as he told his Corinthian flock, (in 1st Cor. 11: 1), “Imitate me; just as I also imitate Christ.”
I pray, fellow lamb of God, that we all follow the Good Shepherd closely; and I pray, you shepherds, that you feed and tend your flock, following our Good Shepherd’s example.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You are my Good Shepherd. Help me to shepherd the flock You have ordained me to lead. Amen
Saturday, March 28, 2009
2009 – Day 86.Mar. 28 – Delegate the Workload
2009 – Day 86.Mar. 28 – Delegate the Workload
Passage of the Day: Exodus 18: 1 – 27 … Link to Exodus 18 for your study …
My Journal for Today: Exodus teaches a powerful lesson about Godly leadership; and the main point is the willingness and vulnerability to delegate power and authority to others.
It is obvious that Moses did not have the Spirit-given gift of administration, because he was taking the burdens of all of God’s people onto his own shoulders. In today’s business world we’d call that “micro-management.” And this error in management style is an obvious sign of pride getting in the way of prudent people management. It is often the case, when power or authority rests on a leader, that such a manager will think that he/she must be in on every decision and know ALL the details which are going on in the organization. However, effective leaders, who use the “Jesus style” of management, will tell you that micro-management can kill an organization.
That’s why I believe God brought Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, to his side. Moses admired Jethro greatly from their 40 years spent in the desert together and their family relationship. And so, when Jethro called out Moses and counseled him on his need to delegate leadership to trusted co-leaders, Moses listened. And in this story we see that a leader, like Moses, who is able and/or willing to be a “servant-leader” (what I called the “Jesus-style” of leadership), the entire organization of God’s people will benefit.
Again, I repeat from a past lesson. Jesus only used two self descriptors to describe Himself; and they are “humble” [i.e., lowly of heart] and “meek” [i.e., gentle] (see Matt. 11: 29 - link provided). Those are the two hallmark character qualities needed to be a great leader; and Jesus, The Messiah, is our consummate model. Jethro recognized that Moses needed to utilize these qualities or he (Moses) was going to burn out by listening to and judging all the peoples situations and problems. So, we see a great lesson in leadership being espoused in Exodus 18. And Moses listened; and he implemented Jethro’s counsel. And God’s people were the benefit of God’s wisdom in this case.
Satan loves to maneuver Christians into thinking that we must take on every opportunity which comes along and take it upon our own shoulders. Many gifted Christians, perhaps you’re one of them, take on many, many GOOD things … to the point that they can’t do God’s BEST things well or effectively. It’s easy to let this happen; and it’s always a sign that pride is getting in the way of doing God’s will when we are not willing or able to prioritize within God’s will.
Moses learned this lesson; and God’s kingdom was the better for it. I’m blessed to have a “Jethro” in my life with the gift of administration; but she is a woman … my wife. And when my dear wife, Elly, counsels me on how I prioritize things, I listen, … having learned over the years that I have blind spots when it comes to managing my life in the context of God’s will, … especially given my roles of family leader, Church Elder, and Ministry Director. I hope you have a “Jethro” in your life if you have roles of authority or leadership which fall on your shoulders.
If you don’t, find a “Jethro” to give you advice, I’d exhort you to find one. But, … if you do, LISTEN to that God-given counselor when it comes to helping you see and act as a leader for God’s kingdom purposes.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you for giving me a “Jethro” in my wife; and keep me humble and meek to listen to her. Amen
Passage of the Day: Exodus 18: 1 – 27 … Link to Exodus 18 for your study …
My Journal for Today: Exodus teaches a powerful lesson about Godly leadership; and the main point is the willingness and vulnerability to delegate power and authority to others.
It is obvious that Moses did not have the Spirit-given gift of administration, because he was taking the burdens of all of God’s people onto his own shoulders. In today’s business world we’d call that “micro-management.” And this error in management style is an obvious sign of pride getting in the way of prudent people management. It is often the case, when power or authority rests on a leader, that such a manager will think that he/she must be in on every decision and know ALL the details which are going on in the organization. However, effective leaders, who use the “Jesus style” of management, will tell you that micro-management can kill an organization.
That’s why I believe God brought Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, to his side. Moses admired Jethro greatly from their 40 years spent in the desert together and their family relationship. And so, when Jethro called out Moses and counseled him on his need to delegate leadership to trusted co-leaders, Moses listened. And in this story we see that a leader, like Moses, who is able and/or willing to be a “servant-leader” (what I called the “Jesus-style” of leadership), the entire organization of God’s people will benefit.
Again, I repeat from a past lesson. Jesus only used two self descriptors to describe Himself; and they are “humble” [i.e., lowly of heart] and “meek” [i.e., gentle] (see Matt. 11: 29 - link provided). Those are the two hallmark character qualities needed to be a great leader; and Jesus, The Messiah, is our consummate model. Jethro recognized that Moses needed to utilize these qualities or he (Moses) was going to burn out by listening to and judging all the peoples situations and problems. So, we see a great lesson in leadership being espoused in Exodus 18. And Moses listened; and he implemented Jethro’s counsel. And God’s people were the benefit of God’s wisdom in this case.
Satan loves to maneuver Christians into thinking that we must take on every opportunity which comes along and take it upon our own shoulders. Many gifted Christians, perhaps you’re one of them, take on many, many GOOD things … to the point that they can’t do God’s BEST things well or effectively. It’s easy to let this happen; and it’s always a sign that pride is getting in the way of doing God’s will when we are not willing or able to prioritize within God’s will.
Moses learned this lesson; and God’s kingdom was the better for it. I’m blessed to have a “Jethro” in my life with the gift of administration; but she is a woman … my wife. And when my dear wife, Elly, counsels me on how I prioritize things, I listen, … having learned over the years that I have blind spots when it comes to managing my life in the context of God’s will, … especially given my roles of family leader, Church Elder, and Ministry Director. I hope you have a “Jethro” in your life if you have roles of authority or leadership which fall on your shoulders.
If you don’t, find a “Jethro” to give you advice, I’d exhort you to find one. But, … if you do, LISTEN to that God-given counselor when it comes to helping you see and act as a leader for God’s kingdom purposes.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you for giving me a “Jethro” in my wife; and keep me humble and meek to listen to her. Amen
Sunday, March 01, 2009
2009 - Day 59.Mar.1 - A Major in Obscurity
2009 – Day 59.Mar. 1 – A Major In Obscurity
Passage of the Day - Exodus 3: 1 … Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
My Journal for Today: We revisit the concept of God using lessons in obscurity (see my entry of Feb. 27th) to use our God-given gifts for His glory or to prepare us for some God-ordained plan for our future. The latter, of course, was the reason why God had Moses out in the desert of the Sinai, tending sheep for the second third of his life.
Swindoll reminds us again of Moses’ first forty years, spent in the lime-light of Egyptian royalty, where everything he did was scrutinized and revered. But when God led him into the Midianite deserts to become a shepherd for the next 40 years, the sheep he tended didn’t care who he was. They just followed him from one source of water and food to another; and God was using these lessons in humility to prepare our protagonist for what was to come.
I talked about this earlier (again, see Feb. 27), that often we may live a “hum-drum,” repetitive, and even boring lives; and we wonder why God has planted us there. And I maintain that these types of feelings are the result of God’s testing of our faith, … testing our belief in such truths as Prov. 3: 5 – 6 and Romans 8: 28. Sometimes we need to earn our degree in obscurity and followership before we can get the job as “leader” in God’s Kingdom. OR … it may be the case that where we are exactly where God can use our gifts and talents for His kingdom purposes for the rest of our lives.
In Moses’ case, he was in the desert as a shepherd for those 40 years in the college of obscurity, learning what God needed him to learn and preparing him for his burning bush diploma. And today’s verse has him about to get his degree in obscurity and to be thrust once again into the lime-light of leadership. I pray that whatever is God’s intention for my day-by-day, life in obscurity, I accept it and do what my Savior commands all of His disciples to do … to deny self, to take up the crosses of life laid before us, and to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23). If I do that, I know that I will get my Master’s degree in followership; and maybe I’ll have the opportunity and the privilege to lead others to the Lord.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You said to Peter, “Tend My sheep.” I feel You saying that to me; and I will do that, Lord, to follow You. Amen
Passage of the Day - Exodus 3: 1 … Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
My Journal for Today: We revisit the concept of God using lessons in obscurity (see my entry of Feb. 27th) to use our God-given gifts for His glory or to prepare us for some God-ordained plan for our future. The latter, of course, was the reason why God had Moses out in the desert of the Sinai, tending sheep for the second third of his life.
Swindoll reminds us again of Moses’ first forty years, spent in the lime-light of Egyptian royalty, where everything he did was scrutinized and revered. But when God led him into the Midianite deserts to become a shepherd for the next 40 years, the sheep he tended didn’t care who he was. They just followed him from one source of water and food to another; and God was using these lessons in humility to prepare our protagonist for what was to come.
I talked about this earlier (again, see Feb. 27), that often we may live a “hum-drum,” repetitive, and even boring lives; and we wonder why God has planted us there. And I maintain that these types of feelings are the result of God’s testing of our faith, … testing our belief in such truths as Prov. 3: 5 – 6 and Romans 8: 28. Sometimes we need to earn our degree in obscurity and followership before we can get the job as “leader” in God’s Kingdom. OR … it may be the case that where we are exactly where God can use our gifts and talents for His kingdom purposes for the rest of our lives.
In Moses’ case, he was in the desert as a shepherd for those 40 years in the college of obscurity, learning what God needed him to learn and preparing him for his burning bush diploma. And today’s verse has him about to get his degree in obscurity and to be thrust once again into the lime-light of leadership. I pray that whatever is God’s intention for my day-by-day, life in obscurity, I accept it and do what my Savior commands all of His disciples to do … to deny self, to take up the crosses of life laid before us, and to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23). If I do that, I know that I will get my Master’s degree in followership; and maybe I’ll have the opportunity and the privilege to lead others to the Lord.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, You said to Peter, “Tend My sheep.” I feel You saying that to me; and I will do that, Lord, to follow You. Amen
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