leaders Archives – Page 3 of 3

November 13, 2018

A+ or F? What is your grade?

If you have not read this story please take time now to open your Bible and read John chapter 9.

john 9 pass the testw2a John devotes an entire chapter to the story of the blind man who was given the gift of sight, but he is not the only character in this story. As Jesus is leaving his time of worship and his humiliation of others who scoff and deride him, the blind beggar may have overheard the incredibly insensitive questions by the disciples about his condition. Yet, Jesus puts aside his own hurt to minister to this one who also has felt the stinging remarks of the disciples. He lovingly explained in his hearing that he was innocent of sin but now God would get the glory for the miracle He would do for this sightless man. He had “passed the test”of faith and Jesus would now prove it.

Mixing mud and then applying it to his eyes might seem rather crude but we are made of dust and to dust we shall return. Why is it any wonder that Jesus would use the very material of which he was made? After obediently following Jesus orders to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, the man awoke to sunshine that he could see, birds in the air that were not just sounds but also visual images of the very freedom he was experiencing. He saw, not just heard, people jostling others as they rushed about in their work. And oh! So much more. As he joyously returned to his home and his neighbors parents with this great news, he was met not with praises for God’s work but a silent astonishment. Instead of praising God, his parents would later tell the priests; he is of age ask him how he was healed. They all “failed the test.”

The neighbors, the city dwellers, the priests all had opportunity to give God praise. Instead they scoffed and turned him away.

So how did he respond?

Overcome with praise for seeing that which he had only heard, the man goes to the very place of worship where he would not be turned away; the Temple. Even if everyone else has “failed the test” he has not, for once again he hears the Master’s voice. The Master says you have heard but now you will see Me. Once again Jesus allows the man to not just hear but now to see him. Unlike those who saw the miracle but scoffed, he bent in humble adoration, believed and worshiped the One who gave him sight.

When Jesus touches your life do you allow others to scoff and seek to deny your gift of spiritual sight or do you return to the Gift giver and believe and worship?

What will Jesus say about you? Have you passed the test?

September 3, 2018

Romans 13: How Shall I Respond?

government2a Government has been instituted by God; He placed it to keep anarchy from reigning supreme. Not all leaders will be honorable as history attests. If we resist governing authorities we are in essence resisting God for He established and allowed each to exist for His purposes. We must not fear governing authorities for God will use them to bring wrath upon those who do evil—even if it seems that God is delaying. Go read Psalm 73:17 to see what Asaph gleaned from his time wondering about this topic.

How do we submit and obey when we are faced with governing authorities who are evil? Joseph submitted yet Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego resisted. God blessed them each lived under brutal dictatorships. The key is this given by the prophet Daniel “It is He [God] who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings”

Some principles to remember: “We must obey God rather than men” [Acts 5] and especially so when it becomes an instrument for evil, violating the explicit will of God as outlined in Scripture…” [G. Herrick.] Ask yourself, are you praying for the governing authorities God has placed over you? Also, remember we are not to revile them no matter how evil they may be: “Do not curse a king even in your thoughts.”[Eccl 10:20] Follow the example of Christ who when reviled did not revile in return. Lastly, leave the results to God so that He alone gets the glory for His plan is perfect.

We know that we are living in the last days and oppression and wickedness will continue to escalate. We must pray not only for ourselves but for those in nations that are exceedingly opposed to Christianity. How faithful are we to pray and are we prepared?

July 5, 2018

Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy OR is it?

Summertime for children seems to be the “same ole same ole” every day. They wake up, eat and go about their daily tasks and chores. We hear the sighs and then; is that all there is to do today; I’m bored. Sound familiar? Yes, summertime can be less exciting for children who don’t have that everyday school routine. Time to jumpstart that summer vacation by taking a journey into a day with God in Psalm 65.

Ever wonder what God does in his day. Is it humdrum? Hardly and the psalmist wants us to awaken and appreciate the God who has given us each day. He wants us to know all about this God of the universe so we can tell the next generation about Him and place their confidence in Him and His works. So if your children are facing a humdrum day have them take a look at a day in God’s kingdom.

Does God sleep? The scriptures say he does not. [Psalm 121:4] Does God sit and wait for us to praise Him? The psalmist tells us that He does! In fact, He sits on his throne and listens attentively to our prayers—all at once! Although this sounds overwhelming to us, to Him it is just an everyday occurrence and He can handle it! Do you think God doesn’t see when we argue with sister or brother? He does but the good news is that He is waiting for us to repent (say I am sorry) so He can forgive. As God looks about His kingdom here on earth, He sees Sammy and Nancy and more who are His because He chose them in eternity past and He says. “I predestined each one according to my purpose to accomplish all things according to the counsel of My will.” [Eph 1 author’s paraphrase] In little people words it means God has a plan for today and tomorrow and the next day for each one of us.

Cloud watching is a great thing to do. Take a moment with children and have them look up at the clouds. See if you find Him in His chariot riding on the clouds as the wind as them pushes along. Read Psalm 104:3 where the psalmist says “He makes the clouds His chariot and travels along on the wings of the wind.” Look for pictures in the clouds. Take some time to lay on your back and observe the clouds as they move across the sky and then think; I wonder if God is that chariot I see? Ask what do you think He is doing as He rides along? Is he taking time to look at his marvelous creation; the mountains and the seas and the rivers and all of the life in them? What would you do if you were God out on a chariot ride? Take an atlas and find all He might see just where you live. God calms the raging seas and their roaring waves just as Jesus did on the Sea of Galilee and He watches to see the men on the earth and what they will do when they see His mighty hand at work.

Yes, to us it is beyond our imagination but to God, it is just an everyday day in His Kingdom and one day if we know Him personally we will all experience it all in real-time with Him. Present God to these precious ones so they see their summertime days as not so humdrum after all. Just think; while we are swimming or playing or doing chores; God is commanding the wind and waves to obey Him. Stop and give Him praise.

Summertime is perfect just for taking the time to journey through God’s Word to see Him at work and at play just as we do. Make God come alive this summer!

February 8, 2017

The Ripple Effect Of One Sin

one-sin-ripples-outrezized-ex-24-32 How often do we fail to realize that it only takes one sin to affect others? We read about the anointing and consecrating of Aaron to the Priesthood. What an honor! What a position! Did Aaron realize what God had just given him? With great ceremony, Aaron had received the blessing of God. You, like Aaron, may have been anointed or called to a position of leadership. How do you handle this coveted position? With honor; with humility; or with pride? When God called Moses to the mountain for more instructions he left newly anointed Aaron and a compatriot Hur in charge and did so before the elders:

“Here are Aaron and Hur with you. Whoever has any matters of dispute can approach them.” [Ex 24]

Yet just 8 chapters later we find Aaron, ALONE! as one of two “men in charge,” compromising and failing in his God anointed responsibility. This leaves us wondering: Where was Hur all this time? Why did Aaron yield to the people to make the golden calf? And lastly and more importantly, why did he lie to Moses when he returned from the mountain? When Moses asked him why he made the golden calf he answered “They, that is the children of Israel, said to me,” (sounds like Adam in the Garden) and then (note rolling eyes here as Aaron notes the miracle): “I threw it [the gold that is] into the fire, and this calf came out.” Ah yes, from the miraculous to the ridiculous! Reading this we say “really?” But, when caught in sin we often do much the same thing if we are honest.

Could it have been that Aaron’s pride in his position overshadowed his responsibility and relationship to Hur, the people, his sons—but more importantly to God? Or was it the fear of men that caused him to yield? Or could it have been a combination of both? It appears that Aaron had not only forgotten his mandate from Moses to consult with his co-leader and the elders; but more importantly, had not quite grasped what it meant to be the spiritual leader who must give an account of his leadership! Hebrews reminds us that our “leaders…[are to] keep watch over [our] souls and will give an account for their work.” [Heb 13:17]

Point to Remember: For Aaron, it was a combination of fear of men and pride of others following him that was greater than he following God.

Learn from Aaron: The fear of man is a snare [Prov 29:25] and one sin affects or ripples out to affect the whole community. In this event, three thousand are killed and later his own sons used strange fire and God takes them out.