Posted by Charlie on Nov 1, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Psalm 121; Mark 9, 10
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45
Observation
Servant leadership is such a foreign concept to fallen human nature. It’s fascinating to see the disciples still jockeying for position in what they perceived to be the upcoming kingdom, not realizing that they had it all wrong.
Application
One of the faults of the current church is that, by and large, there is still a tendency to utilize kingdom-of-the-world tactics to attempt the spread of the kingdom of heaven. In reality, though, the kingdom of heaven only gets established through using kingdom of heaven tactics. It’s the act of living out the gospel by loving and serving people that makes the kind of changes that turns the world upside down.
Prayer
Father, please help me today to serve the way Jesus models. Please grant that your kingdom would be expanded as I abide in you and allow your kingdom influence to touch others through me. In other words, let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: kingdom, leadership, servant
Posted by Charlie on Aug 24, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5:11-15
Observation
According to Max DuPree, “The first job of a leader is to define reality….” In other words, a leader needs to constantly remind his or her followers about the things that are important, and spiritual leaders are no exception. John has gone to great lengths in today’s passage to remind his readers that the goal of following Jesus is an eternity in his presence.
Application
I know I need reminding. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day grind that I lose perspective about eternal things. Keeping love as my goal and heaven as my focus are good reminders as I head into a fresh week.
Prayer
God, thank you for eternal life! I want to follow Jesus today and ask for your presence and help to live in ways that please you. Thank you that your Word says that when I ask according to your will you hear and I have what I’ve asked for. Please abide with me today, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternal life, eternity, leadership, love
Posted by Charlie on Aug 15, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Jeremiah 18, 19, 20; Psalm 93; John 17
All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
John 17 10-11
Observation
Today John 17 made me think about the incredible mission of Jesus Christ. He came, gathered a group of the most unlikely people as future leaders of his church, accomplished the ultimate sacrifice for sin, and returned to the Father.
Application
That’s comforting because I’m one of what I would consider an unlikely group of future leaders. God chooses ordinary people, and builds his life into us as we follow him. What a promise—that all of us may be one, even as Jesus and the Father are one.
It’s also a good reminder today that I’ve been left in the world, but, because I belong to Jesus, I’m not of the world.
Prayer
Thank you for Jesus’ prayer. He says in verse 20 that he is also praying for me, and that is a comfort indeed. Please live in me today and grant me the ability to shine your light to those around me, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: leadership
Posted by Charlie on Jun 26, 2009 in
Devotions Jonah 1,2,3,4; 2 Timothy 2
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth….
2 Timothy 2:24–25
Observation
In Matthew 20:25-27 Jesus said to his disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave….”
In 2 Timothy 24–25 Paul reflects on these words of Jesus as he gives instruction to Timothy on how his life should look as a shepherd of God’s people. He begins verse 24 by referring to Timothy as the Lord’s bond-servant, which is literally the Greek word for slave. Then, reflecting on Jesus’ example and instruction to his disciples, Paul unpacks the concept of what it looks like to be the Lord’s slave:
• must not be quarrelsome… doesn’t engage in a war of words
• but must be kind to all… affable, mild, gentle
• able to teach… literally, skillful at instructing
• patient when wronged… patient of ills and wrongs without becoming resentful
• with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition… there’s that word prautes again (see Gentleness, June 24)
Application
Taken all together this provides a remarkable snapshot of what a leader should look like, but it doesn’t match the picture of a leader the world most often portrays. God’s kind of leader is humble, gentle, patient, and has an inner strength that is able to forebear everything from personal insults to the most difficult expressions of persecution. God’s leader understands that it’s not about me. The more the leader gets that concept, the greater the stewardship God will entrust to his or her care.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that you modeled what this kind of leadership looks like in the person of Jesus Christ. I submit myself to you today and ask that you will build these qualities into my character in increasing measure. Please grant me the grace to be the Lord’s bond-servant. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: gentleness, leadership, prautes
Posted by Charlie on Jun 13, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3
After this event Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but again he made priests from every class of people for the high places; whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
1Kings 13:33
Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel along with him.
2 Chronicles 12:1
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Philippians 3:17
Observation
How important the life of a leader is! Jeroboam single handedly took generations of Israelites down the toilet with him by the bold example he set as a leader. Rehoboam influenced all the kingdom of Judah to turn away from loyalty to the LORD as they followed his leadership.
Paul invited people to observe his life, and then to use it like a tuning fork to calibrate their own habits, beliefs, actions, and attitudes. He has deeply influenced people toward Christian maturity for two thousand years.
Application
People will follow my leadership too. I know that character can’t be faked. I can’t influence someone else to become something I’m not. The way I live, speak, love, and act, and the attitudes and beliefs I exude will influence those around me for good or for ill. Though I am no longer young, I still desire to live by Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 1Tim. 4:12— Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Prayer
Father, please lead me today in your truth and righteousness. Grant that day by day I might grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ so that as my life rubs off on those around me they will be influenced to know and love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: example, influence, leadership
Posted by Charlie on Jun 9, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10, 11, 12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5
Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment,
And cause it to give off a foul odor;
So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Observation
The further a person progresses in leadership and spiritual maturity, the greater the impact of foolish behavior on his or her ability to influence others for God’s purposes. Leadership is like a bank account. If a leader has made many positive deposits to the account over time it is possible to take an occasional small withdrawal because of poor judgment without overdrawing the account, but the fewer the instances the better. I know that the powers of darkness delight in exploiting the weaknesses of God’s leaders in order to wreak as much havoc as possible. It requires an intentionally circumspect life to stay clear of the pitfalls of occasional folly.
Application
A missionary to Central America lives in a neighborhood where all the properties are separated by six foot high cinderblock walls with broken glass cemented along the top. Both he and the neighbor across the back have dogs who live in each respective yard. A local cat likes to use the top of the wall as a walkway through the neighborhood. As the cat passes along the top of the wall behind the missionary’s house, he calmly picks his way through the shards of broken glass while both dogs leap at him from below, but come just short of reaching the top of the wall. This is what Paul refers to in Ephesians 5:15 as walking circumspectly.
Prayer
Father, please help me walk circumspectly today. I want to live wisely, to lead well, to be mature, and to bring your heart pleasure. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: folly, leadership, maturity, wisdom
Posted by Charlie on Apr 7, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 1, 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:17
Observation
The sons of Eli ran the Tabernacle like an organized crime operation. Instead of living as servants representing the people to God, they used the priestly service as a vehicle for extortion and prostitution. God wasn’t pleased with the arrangement and cursed the house of Eli—a prophecy that came to pass later in 1 Kings chapter 2.
Application
Serving God’s people in ministry is a privilege that carries a great deal of responsibility. God loves his people, and holds the shepherds to whom he entrusts them accountable for their lives and ministries. I need to walk daily with the awareness that I hold a sacred trust and will give account for my stewardship of it.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your call that is ever with me. Please help me day by day to discern your voice and follow your lead. Grant that I might be found faithful when I stand before you, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: accountability, leadership, shepherd
Posted by Charlie on Feb 23, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Numbers 12, 13; Psalm 90; Mark 2
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”
Numbers 13:30-31
Observation
The Bible says that the twelve spies Moses sent on the reconnaissance mission to investigate the land of Canaan were heads of the children of Israel (verse 3). They went on this mission at the command of God (verses 1–2), and the purpose of this journey was to gather strategic information and to be strengthened in faith when they saw the quality of the land God had repeatedly promised to give them. The mission was never intended to result in a go/no-go decision because God had already assured them that he would send his Angel before them, and drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
Ten of the spies decided to give more weight to the perceived strength of their enemies than to the assurances of God that he would go before them and fight their battles. The reaction of the ten is especially critical because of the fact that they were the heads of the tribes of Israel. As chapter 14 will show tomorrow, as go the leaders, so go the followers. I believe that if all twelve spies had brought the same report as Joshua and Caleb, there would have been a different reaction in the camp.
Application
On the reconnaissance mission Joshua and Caleb saw exactly the same circumstances as the other ten spies. The difference is that they saw them in the light of God’s promises and chose to believe. Eventually Joshua and Caleb were able to lead a successful invasion of the land because their faith never wavered. The other ten spies are buried somewhere in the Sinai along with the generation they chose to influence.
Today I have a choice. I can look at the circumstances around me through eyes of faith or eyes of unbelief. As I go, so will those I lead.
Prayer
Father God, you have given me exceedingly great and precious promises. Please help me walk today with eyes of faith. Open my eyes and ears today to perceive where you are at work, and lead me in your paths. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: faith, fear, leadership
Posted by Charlie on Feb 20, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27
And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
Acts 27:33-37
Observation
Of late I have been pondering what it is about the speech, attitude, and overall persona of a Christian that becomes transformative in the life of someone who does not know Jesus Christ. More often than not my experience with Christians attempting to spread the incredibly good news of the gospel has revealed that most of us don’t do it very well. Even worse is the way many believers present themselves to people who don’t share their biblical values related to life and lifestyle. Rather than drawing others toward relationship with Jesus Christ, many of us actually embitter them and drive them away.
Over the three and a half years of his ministry, Jesus gained a reputation for hanging out with the people who were ostracized by the religious establishment. The episode in Luke 7 where a sinful woman crashed a dinner party at the home of a Pharisee so she could express lavish worship at the feet of Jesus is ample evidence that his presence in any environment was transformative.
I love the story of Paul’s journey to Rome in Acts 27 because it illustrates the same principle. When Paul boarded the ship in Caesarea he was simply a prisoner being transported from one jail to another. Near the beginning of the chapter Paul warned the centurion that the voyage would end in disaster if they proceeded, but he had no credibility and was simply ignored. Over the course of the voyage, simply by the way he lived among his shipmates, Paul gradually assumed the role of ship’s chaplain. Even though the majority on board were not believers, by the end of the chapter Paul had gained so much influence that he essentially ended up taking command of the ship through the sequence of the wreck.
Application
Leadership is influence. I desire to walk so closely with Jesus that my life acts as leaven in any environment in which I find myself, and the influence that results becomes transformative in the lives of the people I touch. This is especially true in my chaplaincy. Like all military chaplains I have a bit of a tightrope I have to walk because of the pluralistic environment in which I minister. Yet through the ministry of presence I intend for my life, like Paul’s, to make it evident who the go-to guy is when the chips are down.
Prayer
Father God, please show through my life wherever I am. Open my eyes to see where you are at work today and grant me the wisdom and ability to represent you well to a lost and dying world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: chaplain, influence, leadership, transformation
