"They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their forefathers through Moses." Judges 3:4
I am reading this passage of scripture on the day after our presidential election in which our nation seemingly has sold itself into the hands of the enemy. However, we must remember that God is still in control! In the previous verses of this passage the Bible reads that the Lord left these enemy nations "to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan. (He did this only to teach warfare to the decendents of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience.)", Judges 3:1-2.
God has a plan for His people. Sometimes that plan includes judgment, strife and battles. But it is only His mercy to us to test us and teach us to grow into mature battle ready warriors. He prepares, provides, delivers and redeems His children! We are to simply trust in His ways and be submissive and obedient to His Word.
It is only after the test of the battle that we are truly prepared to LEAD ON!
November 5, 2008
November 4, 2008
HEADLINES
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for (the United States of America) Israel. Judges 2:10
No--this is not a quote from today's local newspaper headline. But it could be! God help us! How could a generation grow up not knowing the Lord? We should know the answer to that question because it is currently happening in our nation. It happens because leaders fail to prepare the next generation.
We must lead with diligence and purpose in an all out effort to teach God's principles and precepts to the next generation so they can teach it to the next generation. When we forsake the Word of God and follow our own desires, He will hand us over to our enemies.
God, our prayer is that you will forgive us and enable us to raise up a generation who not only knows the power of God, but one who has seen the hand of God in their own personal reality. Amen!
No--this is not a quote from today's local newspaper headline. But it could be! God help us! How could a generation grow up not knowing the Lord? We should know the answer to that question because it is currently happening in our nation. It happens because leaders fail to prepare the next generation.
We must lead with diligence and purpose in an all out effort to teach God's principles and precepts to the next generation so they can teach it to the next generation. When we forsake the Word of God and follow our own desires, He will hand us over to our enemies.
God, our prayer is that you will forgive us and enable us to raise up a generation who not only knows the power of God, but one who has seen the hand of God in their own personal reality. Amen!
November 1, 2008
Achan's Influence
"Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them." Joshua 7:24-25 24
As of today, it has been a month since this scripture came up in my devotion, but the sobering reality of this scripture still lingers in my heart. Today's contemporary culture says to live your life your way without regard to others. However, what is most sobering to me in this scripture is the effect of Achan's actions upon others. More importantly "his sons and daughters". As leaders, we don't have the luxury of living our lives any way we choose. What we choose to do and say effects others. In Achan's case it cost him and those close to him EVERYTHING! Much too high a cost and much too big a responsibility to be taking our leadership lightly.
We must live our lives with the understanding that it WILL effect others. We must choose to LEAD with integrity and character. This will enable those who follow us to do the same. Choose this day who you will serve and purpose in your heart to lead so others can follow.!
As of today, it has been a month since this scripture came up in my devotion, but the sobering reality of this scripture still lingers in my heart. Today's contemporary culture says to live your life your way without regard to others. However, what is most sobering to me in this scripture is the effect of Achan's actions upon others. More importantly "his sons and daughters". As leaders, we don't have the luxury of living our lives any way we choose. What we choose to do and say effects others. In Achan's case it cost him and those close to him EVERYTHING! Much too high a cost and much too big a responsibility to be taking our leadership lightly.
We must live our lives with the understanding that it WILL effect others. We must choose to LEAD with integrity and character. This will enable those who follow us to do the same. Choose this day who you will serve and purpose in your heart to lead so others can follow.!
October 25, 2008
The Spirit of Caleb
"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." Joshua 14:10-12
As I read this passage of scripture, my mind began to carry me throughout history from the days of Israel’s captivity in Egypt to the present time that we live in today. I realized that there has always been a struggle—a battle—a war, engaging God’s people in an attempt to destroy freedom, righteousness, and the pursuit of godly dreams. What I love about Caleb is that he did not allow his age, the habitation of the land by the Anakites, nor the forty-five year time span since the inception of his dream to deter him from experiencing the reality of what he said was God’s destiny for him. The apprehension of his dream was certainly no walk in the park, but because Caleb “followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly”, it was a “no-brainer” for him to pursue his dream whatever the cost turned out to be. It was of no consequence to him what the dream required of him. It was just momentously compelling to him that he persist in his pursuit toward his dream!
As I watch and listen to the prevailing condition of our would today—the opposing political crusades, the horrendously unstable posture of our economy, the ghastly qualm of our current world military presence—I have determined that God’s people are in the same boat as was Caleb on the day he resolutely set out to fulfill his destiny. And just like Caleb we must plant ourselves in the truth of God’s Word TO US and tenaciously pursue the destiny that God has ordained for us. We can’t be bothered by the current precarious condition of the world we live in, but instead we should be “wholeheartedly following God”, and relentlessly fighting the “spiritual Anakites” that inhabit the promises of God to us.
What I feel we are missing the most in today’s culture is the spirit and leadership of a “Caleb”. Someone who will stand up against all odds, against the media slanted opinion of a spineless culture, and against the fall of a selfish, stingy, credit bound, what’s-in-it for me economic society.
It is time for Caleb minded leaders to rise up and proclaim the Word of Truth to a godless and hopeless nation. Who will it be?
Could it be you? Come on Caleb. Rise up and LEAD ON!!
As I read this passage of scripture, my mind began to carry me throughout history from the days of Israel’s captivity in Egypt to the present time that we live in today. I realized that there has always been a struggle—a battle—a war, engaging God’s people in an attempt to destroy freedom, righteousness, and the pursuit of godly dreams. What I love about Caleb is that he did not allow his age, the habitation of the land by the Anakites, nor the forty-five year time span since the inception of his dream to deter him from experiencing the reality of what he said was God’s destiny for him. The apprehension of his dream was certainly no walk in the park, but because Caleb “followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly”, it was a “no-brainer” for him to pursue his dream whatever the cost turned out to be. It was of no consequence to him what the dream required of him. It was just momentously compelling to him that he persist in his pursuit toward his dream!
As I watch and listen to the prevailing condition of our would today—the opposing political crusades, the horrendously unstable posture of our economy, the ghastly qualm of our current world military presence—I have determined that God’s people are in the same boat as was Caleb on the day he resolutely set out to fulfill his destiny. And just like Caleb we must plant ourselves in the truth of God’s Word TO US and tenaciously pursue the destiny that God has ordained for us. We can’t be bothered by the current precarious condition of the world we live in, but instead we should be “wholeheartedly following God”, and relentlessly fighting the “spiritual Anakites” that inhabit the promises of God to us.
What I feel we are missing the most in today’s culture is the spirit and leadership of a “Caleb”. Someone who will stand up against all odds, against the media slanted opinion of a spineless culture, and against the fall of a selfish, stingy, credit bound, what’s-in-it for me economic society.
It is time for Caleb minded leaders to rise up and proclaim the Word of Truth to a godless and hopeless nation. Who will it be?
Could it be you? Come on Caleb. Rise up and LEAD ON!!
October 21, 2008
Choices
I recently read a magazine article that caused me to do some soul searching. The article questioned why we do the things we do. For example, why do we choose to not have an affair with a member of the opposite sex? Is it because we don’t want to hurt our spouse or kids? Do we not do drugs or look at porn because we could lose our job? Are we concerned what people might think of us? When we decide not to do these things we are making the right choice but we may be making that choice for the wrong reasons.
We cannot allow our jobs, our spouses, or our kids to become our idols or our gods. In other words, if these are the only reasons that help us keep ourselves in check there will come a day when these reasons may not be enough. Our spouses, our kids nor our jobs are our saviors. So there is no way that our relationship with these things or people is going to be enough to keep us saved and making the right choices.
As leaders, the pressure for us to maintain integrity in a world full of compromise is almost insurmountable. Therefore, we must understand that our love for our Lord and Savior can be the only right reason for us to maintain our integrity. And it is the only reason that will keep us making the right choices in the midst of compromising situations. Jesus is our Savior and we must love Him enough to make the right choices.
He has called me to be a husband, a father, a son, a co-worker, a servant, a leader, etc. If I am to do any of these things right I must have a solid, daily, and continuous relationship with the one who saved me, called me, equipped me and protects me. And so should you. Make the right choices for the right reasons and LEAD ON!
We cannot allow our jobs, our spouses, or our kids to become our idols or our gods. In other words, if these are the only reasons that help us keep ourselves in check there will come a day when these reasons may not be enough. Our spouses, our kids nor our jobs are our saviors. So there is no way that our relationship with these things or people is going to be enough to keep us saved and making the right choices.
As leaders, the pressure for us to maintain integrity in a world full of compromise is almost insurmountable. Therefore, we must understand that our love for our Lord and Savior can be the only right reason for us to maintain our integrity. And it is the only reason that will keep us making the right choices in the midst of compromising situations. Jesus is our Savior and we must love Him enough to make the right choices.
He has called me to be a husband, a father, a son, a co-worker, a servant, a leader, etc. If I am to do any of these things right I must have a solid, daily, and continuous relationship with the one who saved me, called me, equipped me and protects me. And so should you. Make the right choices for the right reasons and LEAD ON!
October 10, 2008
Lead Strong
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people...be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you...meditate on it day and night..." Joshua 1:6-8
God called Joshua to be a leader. He also commanded him to be strong and courageous. God knew that for Joshua to be a great leader it would require great strength and courage. God also commanded him to meditate on the law of God, both day and night. This would insure the strength and courage required to lead with greatness.
Likewise, God has called us to be leaders who lead with great strength and courage. And just like Joshua, we can only become great leaders as we meditate on God's Word. It is in His Word that we find the wisdom and knowledge to effectively become the spiritual catalyst of leadership that our world needs so badly. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:8 to lead with all diligence. Diligence combined with the strength and courage of God's Word will lead us to greatness just as it did Joshua.
Therefore, "be strong and courageous" and LEAD ON!
God called Joshua to be a leader. He also commanded him to be strong and courageous. God knew that for Joshua to be a great leader it would require great strength and courage. God also commanded him to meditate on the law of God, both day and night. This would insure the strength and courage required to lead with greatness.
Likewise, God has called us to be leaders who lead with great strength and courage. And just like Joshua, we can only become great leaders as we meditate on God's Word. It is in His Word that we find the wisdom and knowledge to effectively become the spiritual catalyst of leadership that our world needs so badly. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:8 to lead with all diligence. Diligence combined with the strength and courage of God's Word will lead us to greatness just as it did Joshua.
Therefore, "be strong and courageous" and LEAD ON!
October 1, 2008
Our Prayer
I have just spent a day listening to Rick Warren speak from his heart. I like the man. He is for real. And I definitely agree with him about what we as leaders need to pray for each other and for ourselves on a daily basis. Three things. That God would give us integrity, generosity, and humility! If we can maintain these three qualities in our lives as leaders it will protect us from the three major traps the enemy has prepared for us.
Integrity will protect us from the trap of the lust of the flesh. Generosity will protect us from the trap of the lust of the eyes. And humility will protect us from the trap of the pride of life.
I encourage you to commit these three areas of your life to daily prayer. It could make all the difference in the world! LEAD ON!
Integrity will protect us from the trap of the lust of the flesh. Generosity will protect us from the trap of the lust of the eyes. And humility will protect us from the trap of the pride of life.
I encourage you to commit these three areas of your life to daily prayer. It could make all the difference in the world! LEAD ON!
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