Goals

In line with my aim to invest my time wisely and be a faithful steward, it would be useful to once again set goals and to dream God's dreams.  That should be more effective than just living daily and just seeing what happens.  I've always wanted to go back to school, since I love learning.  And, I've thought of going to BIOLA, since I think it will help me be more effective in leading Bible Studies.  Previously, I thought of applying for a Masters in Bible Exposition.   However, given my situation, I actually think a Certificate in Biblical Studies would be very suitable; and looking at the curriculum, I could probably fit in some of the Greek and Hebrew classes which I mainly wanted to take as electives.  As I contemplate and pray about this more and more, I can see it fulfilling much of what I'm looking for.   It will also be very beneficial to me in several ways; and would be a worthy goal to pursue, keeping the eternal perspective in mind.  So, I'm hopeful that this is one goal that I will pursue and will reach sometime in the future.

Hurtful Words

Last night, I went to serve in our monthly class outreach, and one person said some things that I felt were hurtful and a little insulting.   I don't even know if that person even knew the negative impact of his words. I've been processing it since then, and have been telling myself to just "get over it".  I have prayed about it to gain perspective; and I stand by what I was criticized about and don't feel that any changes are needed.

This just reminded me that leaders do need to have "thick skin"; because criticism is inevitable.  We cannot allow the Enemy to defeat us through the discouragement and hurt that can come with words.  It's also a reminder to watch what I say.   I need to be an encourager and motivator.   And, I have always valued good communication.  May I deal with criticism with grace - to stand up for what is right and to be able to filter out whatever is not constructive.  Scripture gives many examples of those who faced their opposition.

Also, I keep wondering why the words would affect me so much; and I thought of what I read about in the book Quiet.   Introverts are more sensitive to what we see and hear, so it affects us more deeply.  That's why I need to work harder to "get over it".  

Luke 17

In the beginning of the chapter, Jesus warned His disciples to not cause others to stumble in sin; taught them to always forgive; encouraged them that even a small faith was enough as long as it was in the almighty God; and reminded them not to seek thanks or rewards for doing their duty to obey God's commands.

Verses 1-2 always remind me to be careful to handle accurately the Word of Truth, especially when teaching.  And, it is encouraging to be remember that even if our faith is small, our God is big; and that is enough for Him to accomplish His work through us.   I also want to emphasize the message that when the Holy Spirit indwells us and we are regenerated into our new nature, it should be just part of who we are to seek to be like Him, which includes repentance and obedience.

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, it was only as they were going to show themselves to the priests that they were actually healed, thus demonstrating their obedience to His command and belief that He could heal (for priests were the ones in Lev 14 who could declared a cured man cleansed).  However, only one, the Samaritan or foreigner, returned to give thanks and glory to God when healed.  And as a result of his faith, he received full healing, physical as well as spiritual.

This reminds me to trust God and obey Him, even if the situation appears that it would need a miracle.  And to remember to give thanks and glory to Him when He does do it.

In Christ's teaching on the kingdom of God, He said that it is already in our midst, stated that there will be times when we will be longing for it to be here already, and warned that there will be false predictions of His return.   However, He said that when He does Return again, all will know; but first, He had come to suffer on the CROSS and die in order to provide a way to salvation.   As in the references to days of Noah and Lot, when Christ Returns, many will be more concerned about things of this world and not be ready.   However, judgement will come, and He reminded them "Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it".

Help Me Find It

When I first heard this song on the radio, I felt like the lyrics expressed perfectly how I sometimes feel.   There are times I may have even prayed those exact words.

So, I looked for the song and here are the lyrics to "Help Me Find It" by Sidewalk Prophets:

I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own
I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go
I will trust in You
You’ve never failed before
I will trust in You
[Chorus:]
If there’s a road I should walk
Help me find it
If I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will
Whatever Your will
Can you help me find it
Can you help me find it
I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt
You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone
Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go
I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You
[Chorus]
I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need
[Chorus]

Work in Progress

God is definitely at work in my life.   I can almost feel the chisel as it chips away at me, forming me into what He wants me to be.

It's a combination of responsibilities and lessons that God has brought to my attention which is pointing me in the direction I am to go.  Primarily, I've been tasked with Estate Planning; and all the research, considerations, and decisions that have gone into that have permeated much of my life.  On top of that, God has been teaching me about:

•  The value of time and the proper investment of it - the verses He has continually reminded me of are Eph 5:15-16 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
•  What I read, watch, and think about - the verse He has continually reminded me of is Phil 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
•  Stewardship - From the studies of the parables in Luke, it is clear that I need to be a Faithful Steward of all that God has place in my care.  So, my goal is to organize and to put everything in order.  Along those same lines is to store my treasure in heaven, and to use what He has place in my care here in earth with the eternal perspective in mind.
• Compassion for the Lost - Also from the studies in Luke, it is clear that there is great rejoicing when a sinner repents and that the heart of God is to seek and save those who are lost.   As I seek to be more like my heavenly Father, I desire to have his heart of compassion and to be more purposeful in reaching out to others.

 My desire is that I will become more and more like Christ, that I will be a faithful servant, and that I will live my life for God.  The verses that I have just memorized are:  “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? " (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
 

Spiritual Leadership

"Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders is a really good book on Leadership.   It is not only Scriptural but also practical.  It was encouraging to learn that things that I have been facing as a leader are not unique to me; but are just part of being in leadership.

Some quotes from the book that really stood out for me are:

• "True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you." 
• "Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead." 
• "Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence" (Bernard Montgomery)
• "There are only three kinds of people - those who are immovable, those who are movable, and those who move them!" (Li Hung Chang)
• "Yet spiritual leadership transcends the power of personality and all other natural gifts."
• "We can lead others only as far along the road as we ourselves have traveled." 
• "Through books we hold communion with the greatest spiritual leaders of the ages."

The following are some of the things that I have learned from the book:

•  Leaders need to be authoritative, spiritual, and sacificial
• Spiritual leaders aren't elected or appointed - God makes them
• 1 Corinth 2:1,4 show that we don't need persuasive words if we have demonstration of the Spirit's power
• We can learn a lot about leadership through our own mistakes, just as Peter did
• How we choose to use our "leisure" time aside from set time of work, eating, sleeping, etc affects our life as leaders.  We need to use time strategically
• Reading refills our "well of inspiration" and our character is reflected in the books that we read
• We are to lead with zeal and always seek to improve
• The costs of leadership include loneliness, sacrifice & scars, criticism, and rejection
• The responsibilities of leadership include service, discipline, guidance, and initiative
• We should expect tests; but, they are meant to let us succeed and show progress; so we can face the impossible with confidence in the LORD and grow from our failures
• Delegating, mentoring, and having good examples are important

Reading this book has really been beneficial to me, and has affirmed that God has called me to spiritual leadership.  I even had a chance to share this with the pastor who gave the book to us at one of the Leadership meetings.

As I've been thinking about leadership lately, it occurred to me that the character I most associate with in the Bible  might be Moses.  He was humble and often felt insecure and inadequate to lead.  Yet, he was able to lead the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, was entrusted with God's Law, and is included in the Hebrews 11 "Hall of Faith".

Luke 16

Upon initial reading, the parable of the dishonest steward may be confusing.  Why would Jesus use a dishonest steward as an example, and why would the master commend the steward for only collecting partial debts?  Neither the steward nor his master were honest men, and the master was commending the steward for his shrewdness, and not necessarily his actions.

But, Jesus used this parable to show that "people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light."  We need to be aware that those in the world are likely able to deal with things of this world better than those of us who are of the kingdom; but, also, it is a reminder to be wise about our dealings with things of the kingdom.

Jesus also encouraged His disciples to be faithful stewards of God's resources with the eternal perspective in mind, whether they have little or much.  And He concluded with a final reminder that "No one can serve two masters....You cannot serve both God and money."   

To the Pharisees, He gave warning that while they may be able to put up a self-righteous exterior before men, God sees their detestable hearts.  While they have changed God's laws with their own interpretations, giving divorce as an example; Jesus assured them that every last detail of the Law and the Prophets will be fulfilled, even with the new covenant since the time of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Him, the Messiah.

This is a very practical passage, since it deals with earthly wealth and our hearts.   We can take heed both the teachings to the disciples and the warnings to the Pharisees, that we must be faithful stewards storing up our treasures in heaven; and that we must serve God only with all our hearts and obey His commands fully.
Overall, the passage deals with how earthly wealth relates to:

• Others - we need to use it for others with the eternal perspective in mind
• Ourselves - we need to be faithful with it, whether we have little or much
• God - we cannot serve both God and riches

Jesus then continued with a story about a Rich Man and Lazarus.   This is the only story where He used an actual name - Lazarus is a derivation of Eleazar, which means "God Helps".  This story showed that the Rich Man, during his lifetime, did not use his earthly wealth with compassion; and that Lazarus was not only poor, but also poor in spirit.   The story clearly showed that those who are at Abraham's side after death, like at the banquet mentioned in previous chapters, are those who have listened to God's Word (i.e. "Moses and the Prophets" = the Law and the Prophets = OT Scripture) and repented.

The story also challenges some of the perspectives the world may have about hell or Hades.  There is no "party" there, only torment.  There won't even be a drop of water to cool the tongue.   Friends won't be having fun together - there seems to be isolation and the rich man even wanted to warn his family away from there.  No one is able to just leave for "good behavior" or any other reason, and there is an impassible chasm between hell and the place of comfort for the righteous.