Monthly Archives: April 2008

Leadership Qualities – 1 Peter 5:1-4

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In John 21:15-17 we see Jesus telling Simon Peter to “feed my lambs”, to “take care of my sheep” and “feed my sheep”.  Clearly the responsibility of maturer Christians is to take care of those “younger” Christians.  I say younger, not in physical age, but with regard to when a person first believed and also their level of growth in the Lord.  Here Peter is concentrating on elders, but we can still learn some lessons for ourselves on leadership.

We see that the leadership qualities expected from an elder is not that of overlording, oppression, bullying etc, but of overseeing. The flock are under the elders care. This is a stark contrast to many peoples modern day perception of say management in a business. Some people are unlucky enough to be under a manager that can be very controlling, only looking out for themselves, and not caring to much for those working underneath him or her.

You see on TV programs like the Apprentice, or dramas, images of demanding and harsh managers who’s main goal is their own benefit or that of their companies without necessarily considering the welfare of those they supervise. This is hopefully a rare occurrence, but one that certainly does happen from time to time, and can also happen in a church environment.

It is very clear from this short passage of the importance of serving the Lord in leadership and not abusing the position of leadership, nor doing things that will in some way bring benefit to ourselves, or glorify ourselves instead of the Lord. In Matthew 19:27-29 we are reminded of the rewards in heaven we will receive for serving Him faithfully.

What an amazing promise.

Succession Planning – 2 Timothy 2:1-14

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2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (NLT)

Here we see the importance of succession planning.  In modern day society, succession planning is very much a business orientated word, where management are always scouting people who have potential within their business to develop.  Once they locate these people, they then ensure that the potentials are given the training they need and the opportunities to succeed so that eventually, when the time comes, they can step into the next level of management when the time comes.

In verse 2, I understand succession planning to be ensuring that there is a trustworthy team of believers who will be able to carry on spreading the good news, and or serving either when you have gone, or for when the Lord calls you away from a particular area.  Churches built up in the way of the Acts church should continue to seek to minister to and care for “up and coming” evangelists, prophets etc to ensure that the Lords work can continue, not only when age takes over but also to GROW!

With regard to growth, churches can get very settled in their small group of friends, and they forget the original command, “make disciples of all nations”.  They cease to grow, they cease to evangelise, they cease to invite other friends, and eventually the church dies as it members pass on.  Its a sad state of affairs but so common as the principle of “succession planning” from 2 Timothy 2:2 gets ignored.  However if the 2 Tim 2:2 principle is applied, not only will there be people to carry on the work once others have passed on, but there will be more available to do the work TODAY to spread the word, and grow the church.

Each of us as Christians have a maturity level.  Some have spent many years with the Lord and are extremely wise and it is their responsibility to help and nurture those younger Christians.  I myself am no where near a mature Christian, however even at a “teen” level of maturity, it is our responsibility to help those who are just starting out in their Christian walk and help them grow.  We can do that with regular prayers, regular feeding on the Word and regular fellowship with each other.

Can you see potential in someone?  Then don’t just sit back!

Going Green – Genesis 2:1-15

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Whenever I read a passage of scripture, I see things in the scripture that I feel I need to learn, or that touches me. The amazing advantage to reading an extra devotional like the Word For Today or Our Daily Bread to complement the reading, is you get to see how other people have understood the messages contained, and they can sometimes offer a perspective I would not have considered. Today’s struck home.

Home? Home can be where we live, the house, or piece of land. It could be as the old saying goes, “where the heat is” (ie out parents house). Wherever we physically live, or refer to as home the fact is the Lord provided the earth for us to live on.

Think of the family who take care

of their gardens at the front and back of their homes, ensuring the plants are watered, the grass is green and the area is clean and free from weeds. The Lord gave us a job to do, similar to the gardener tending the gardens at his home, however our Garden is the planet we live on.

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. (NLT)

We have a responsibility to our creator to tend to the earth, keeping it healthy and glorious. The earth is God’s amazing beautiful creation and for us to neglect it is offensive to God.

I have made half hearted efforts to recycle, and cut down my car journeys, but this morning, I am feeling very challenged to really research the implications of “Going Green” and begin to answer the call of “watching over” the planet, Gods amazing workmanship.

Sources – John 6:60-71

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Interesting that the Our Daily Bread reading for today, concentrates on a modern day world of sheer information overload.  We are surrounded by all sorts of technology, and marketing material that bombards us daily with images, and information on how we should live our lives, how we should look, how we should feel about ourselves, what we should want in life.  The internet alone contains millions, if not billions of pages full of information on any subject you so wish to search on.  Unfortunately, some of the information isn’t always accurate, and more often than not contains a very worldly perspective.

It is a very valid point, and a reminder of how important it is for us as Christians to ensure that we live our lives according to Gods Holy Word.  The Bible should always be our final say in any decision we make.  With the millions of “self help” speakers out there pioneering break through ways to improve your self worth, and become successful, it is tempting to loose sight of the single source of truth and wisdom that has not gone out of fashion for thousands of years;  God’s Word the Bible.

Any teaching we hear, we should always ensure that not only is it firmly rooted in scripture, but also that we have investigated the subject further ourselves, and studied the scripture, not only to clarify the learning, but to gain an even deeper understanding of the exciting truths contained there in.

With all the modern day sources of information, we need to make sure that the Bible remains number 1.

Wisdom – Proverbs 2:1-9

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The first thing that struck me when reading the first few verses was the importance studying the scriptures. Not to study as a hist orical document,

or just to be able to recite verses, but to feed on it, soaking in the important lessons it has to offer. Storing the knowledge in your heart and actively using it in our lives and relationship with the Lord:

4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (NIV)

Search for what the He is communicating to us, giving Him our full undivided attention. After all, we certainly wouldn’t be hunting for Gold or Silver and not pay much attention to what we are doing! Search for Gold or Silver, we would have a sense of urgency, a hunger to find what we desired.

Of course we know that material riches do not satisfy, however there is real satisfying riches in Gods Holy Word, and we can find them if we only take the time and make the effort to immerse ourselves and study.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (NIV)

Some of the books of the Bible date back thousands of years, and yet it is STILL the worlds best seller! It’s author is the best writer in the universe. In it He has imparted much of His amazing wisdom for us to feed on and apply in our own lives. What a gift. He hasn’t just said “Follow Me”, then leave us on our own to get on with it, but He has sent His Holy Spirit down to us to help and guide us, and He has given us the most amazing Book in the Universe to help, guide and give us wisdom, that we may follow him in a way that will glorify Him and advance His Kingdom!

9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. (NIV)

When we thirst to know what the Lord wants from us, by studying His word and searching for those treasures just like we would search for Silver or Gold, we will gain an understanding of what is “right, just and fair”, and the wisdom to choose the right paths.

Direction – Proverbs 16:1-9

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Proverbs is full of wise words. I’m going to go through line by line noting what I feel the Lord is telling me per verse;

1 We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. (NLT)

Its true! We can have a perfectly laid out plan for the day, and yet nothing seems to go the way we planned it! Is it just bad planning

? Are we incredibly unlucky, or is it God determining our steps giving us opportunities to share Him with others, to show others how His children react in certain situations, thus witnessing into their lives?

I love the example in the Our Daily Bread reading of a choir that turned up to an old peoples home on the wrong day, only to be asked to sing therefore at one of the residents funeral thus witnessing into the lives of those who attended! Their plan had gone wrong but the result was something that enabled them to glorify the Lord.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. (NLT)

There are many times we can convince ourselves how good we are, and how well we are doing. We loose sight of the Lord, and our motives can become self pleasing. We need to make sure we don’t become proud and do things for our own gain. The Lord as in this verse examines our motives and act accordingly.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

(NLT)

When we commit our actions to the Lord that will help advance His kingdom and give Him the glory, we will succeed.

4 The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. (NLT)

First of all no one is exempt from Gods plans, or from His judgement. The actions of the wicked eventually lead to destruction and death.

5 The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished. (NLT)

Pride is the opposite to what God wants for us. It gives ourselves credit for things we have achieved, and done. It throws all the good works the Lord has done for us back in His face. Pride is a serious issue in anyones lives. If we are struggling with it, we need to humble ourselves, and give it all to the Lord.

6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. (NLT)

Since I came back to the Lord, a healthy fear of Him has developed in my heart. An understanding that he is our almighty, powerful God. It makes sin a far less attractive option in life, and when I do it leads me to throw myself at His mercy seeking his grace and forgiveness. We shouldn’t act as children, seeing how far we can push our parents, but we should be humble, God fearing, seeking to do what pleases Him. Remembering that the hold of sin has been broken by Jesus death on the cross. Thank you Lord.

7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (NLT)

There is always going to be an enemy, for to Satan, we are a problem to him! However when our lives please the Lord, even our enemies will not be able to deny what our Mighty God is doing in our lives!

8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. (NLT)

I have said this in a past reading, wealth and riches don’t last for an eternity. The love of God lasts forever as will those who believe and come into His kingdom. Treasures in Heaven also do not have the same fate as earthly treasure, therefore if we live lives pleasing to the Lord, committing ourselves to His will, His plans, His Glory, we can humbly look forward to riches in heaven as our reward. These are unlikely to be gold and jewels, but riches that we can not understand in our earthly form! I can’t wait!

9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (NLT)

This verse sums up this group nicely. The Lord is in control. He has a plan for our lives. Even though we make plans for the days and weeks, the Lord will direct us even in such a way where our own plans fly out of the window!

Giving – Luke 6:38

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Giving is a key ingredient of love!  You only need to read the likes of John 3:16 / Ephesians 5:25 to see that God loves us SO much, that He gave His Son for us!

Everything we have belongs to the Lord.  We therefore have a choice of how to use it.  To we hoard our wealth to ourselves?  Do we use it selfishly to try to gain more money?  Do we risk it on the stock market in the hope to receive more back?  Do we leave it in a savings account waiting for the interest payment at the end of the year to see how much profit has been gained?

When considering how much to give to the church this week, or to charity, or perhaps in helping someone out who is close to us, we would do well to remember this passage of scripture.  Being generous with what God has given us means he is pleased to continue to reward the giving with more to give!!  He rewards a cheerful giver.  This should not be looked upon as the “Bank of God” of the always increasing “Heavenly Stock Market” as giving to receive more wealth is a contradiction in terms!

Essentially, that which we keep, we loose out on as we do not reap heavenly reward nor have any measured return on it.  That which we give, we will still have, and more to continue giving.  God rewards a cheerful giver, with more as he knows it will be used for His glory.  When we receive more, if we keep hold of it, we loose it again and we are back to square one!  Our giving should increase with every blessing that we receive.

I think we also need to be careful that we ensure that our bills are paid, and we are not borrowing money to give.  It worries me when I see some ministries encouraging people to give more than they can afford.  We can’t give what we do not have or have not received.  For example, my friend Clive put it this way in a spiritual context.  When Jesus gave of Himself each day to others, in preaching, witnessing and in miracles, He had come before the Lord in prayer and received spiritually that he could then pour them out to others!

2 Corinthians 9:7, give what’s in your heart to give.  And if you are struggling with that, turn to the Lord in prayer and seek His guidance.

Shine your light – Matthew 5:13-16

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“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father“. (NLT)

I am immediately reminded of being humble and not going good deeds so that others will see…  Surely this is a contradiction?  Not at all!  There are 2 motives for letting your good deeds “shine out for all to see”.  Firstly some people like attention. They like others to admire them, to be impressed and to talk about them.  They like to project an image of themselves to others that creates a picture of perfection etc.

The other motive to “shine” is to Glorify God.  Looking straight away at this short passage, it is obviously not saying, “Shine your light so you will look good and others will talk about you and envy you”!!  It is saying that any good deeds you do, give all the Glory

to God.  Doing the things he requests of us, humbly, without grumbling is a perfect way to shine.  What would Jesus do can be applied to our actions each and every time.  By doing that we don’t need to announce in a loud voice what we have done, as our actions and they way we go about things is so much more a better witness to those looking on.  When people see a Christian really living for the Lord, they can see that its the Lord at work, and He gets the Glory.

An example of issues I have had to work on myself include speeding and gossip!!  For speeding I placed a fish symbol in the back of my car, and I now have a responsibility to ensure I obey the law ensuring I stick to the correct speed limits, and gracious and safe.  For gossip my WWJD band even reminds me of “what would Jesus say”, and I have found that if you think that there is something that you are unsure is right to say as it could be gossip or upsetting, then hold your tongue!

I pray the Lord will strengthen us in all the areas of our lifes that we struggle with, and will enable us to shine in everything we do giving Him the glory.  Amen