Sunday, July 26, 2009
LEADERSHIP DIVERSIONS
1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (NIV)
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
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It is not easy to be a leader, in any field. Although this passage refers to spiritual leadership in the church, the principles also apply in the professions, business, academia and in the family. Indeed, it is amazing to see how modern books on leadership, management and parenting advocate a return to Christian ethics (even if they are not described as such, nor their Biblical origin recognised). Shakespeare was a good observer; he wrote, "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" (Twelfth Night Act III Scene I). The key question, though, is how do we deal with the challenge?
Christians accept that God is the ultimate authority and that humans merely have delegated authority. In the church, the flock are God's sheep and not the Pastors' - they serve as 'foremen' but not owners. Those who have 'greatness thrust upon them' can either resent their role, or value it as a privileged appointment from God Himself. Spiritual leadership that is resentful is out of order with God. Leaders must not be 'in it for what they can get out of it', but eager to give everything they can (even if they get little in return). Those who calculate their ministry by the money or benefits they receive are hardly fit to be the Lord's servants.
The potential to misuse God's delegated authority to get personal power, is seen in churches as well as businesses, in charities as well as banking. Jesus was different; He demonstrated servant-leadership. He laid down His own life so that others might live. Phil 2:1-13 graphically draws the parallel between Jesus and those who claim to follow Him. Where the church is led by those who live like that, it grows to God's glory. Such people are not weak, but they have chosen to place their strength at the Lord's disposal. Yes, leadership will always be lonely; but if we are willingly submitting to the Lord, we will never be alone.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for reminding me that no human being has ultimate authority. I pray for my leaders that they may serve in a Christ-like way; and where I have responsibility for people, help me to willingly accept the privilege You have given to me. May I not exceed the authority you give me, nor serve You in a calculating way, but as an example to others; following the example of Jesus. For His Name's sake. Amen.
________________________________________
Share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work, click here to make a donation
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
All the 'back copies' for the series in the Bible books of Mark, Ephesians and James can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
________________________________________
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
________________________________________
It is not easy to be a leader, in any field. Although this passage refers to spiritual leadership in the church, the principles also apply in the professions, business, academia and in the family. Indeed, it is amazing to see how modern books on leadership, management and parenting advocate a return to Christian ethics (even if they are not described as such, nor their Biblical origin recognised). Shakespeare was a good observer; he wrote, "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" (Twelfth Night Act III Scene I). The key question, though, is how do we deal with the challenge?
Christians accept that God is the ultimate authority and that humans merely have delegated authority. In the church, the flock are God's sheep and not the Pastors' - they serve as 'foremen' but not owners. Those who have 'greatness thrust upon them' can either resent their role, or value it as a privileged appointment from God Himself. Spiritual leadership that is resentful is out of order with God. Leaders must not be 'in it for what they can get out of it', but eager to give everything they can (even if they get little in return). Those who calculate their ministry by the money or benefits they receive are hardly fit to be the Lord's servants.
The potential to misuse God's delegated authority to get personal power, is seen in churches as well as businesses, in charities as well as banking. Jesus was different; He demonstrated servant-leadership. He laid down His own life so that others might live. Phil 2:1-13 graphically draws the parallel between Jesus and those who claim to follow Him. Where the church is led by those who live like that, it grows to God's glory. Such people are not weak, but they have chosen to place their strength at the Lord's disposal. Yes, leadership will always be lonely; but if we are willingly submitting to the Lord, we will never be alone.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You for reminding me that no human being has ultimate authority. I pray for my leaders that they may serve in a Christ-like way; and where I have responsibility for people, help me to willingly accept the privilege You have given to me. May I not exceed the authority you give me, nor serve You in a calculating way, but as an example to others; following the example of Jesus. For His Name's sake. Amen.
________________________________________
Share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work, click here to make a donation
which will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
All the 'back copies' for the series in the Bible books of Mark, Ephesians and James can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
JUST THE BEGINNING
1 Peter 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (NIV)
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
People say that God is love and will never harm His children. That is true. But in the same way that a truly loving father will discipline his children, our loving God disciplines us. However unpleasant persecution may be, it is used by God to refine His people and strengthen those who want to trust Him more. So, for the devoted believer, persecution enables faith to grow. The sad reality is that without problems, we would be inclined to live in our own strength and not by faith in the Lord.
Hebrews 12:4-13 explains this judgement/discipline process. God is determined to get us right for heaven, and that we should be strong to witness to His grace until we get there. But if the pain of persecution is a sign of God's determination to purify His people, what about those who are determined to resist him? Peter says that Christians who endure persecution and purify themselves for God's holy service, are also living out a message from God: to the rest of the church, their suffering shows the urgency to win the lost; and to the lost the message is, if God treats His own people in this way, what about those who refuse to submit to Jesus.
God's determination to "redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:14), knows no bounds. He has done everything necessary in Christ so that we may receive His grace. Now, He continues to use even the hatred of the wicked for His purpose: sanctification for us and the announcement of judgement for the ungodly. It is the Lord's desire, and should be ours, that sinners will turn and receive salvation, so that they will not be overtaken by God's judgement (cf 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, be strong to accept the Lord's discipline: as you do so the church will be made bolder; and the demons will quake, knowing that sinners will see the grace of Christ in you, and will turn to receive His salvation.
Prayer: Loving Father. Although your discipline is hard at times, thank you for using the circumstances of my life to encourage me to purify myself before You. As hard times come (because of my love for You), may my example encourage the church to greater faith, and provide an opportunity for other people to see the grace of Christ - that they might repent and receive Your salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
THE PROCESS
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi.
As they were studying chapter three, they came across…..
Malachi 3:2-3 (New International Version)
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men, who will bring offerings in righteousness,
This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
One of the things I have realized in life is that the Lord is more interested in who am becoming than how comfortable am. We all want to be vessels of honor that have been purified so that the Lord can use us for His glory. The problem we have is that many of us want the end product but we are not willing to go through the process. One of the things I love about this illustration is the God never takes His eyes of me through the whole process of purification. We must all get to the place where we can say like John the Baptist in
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Only then will He be able to see His reflection in your life making you a vessel of honor one that has been purified through the fire. There are no shortcuts; we all have to go through the fire to be purified so that He can use us
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Allow God to take you through the fire and remember He has His eyes on you. Be still until He can see His reflection in your life. You are in safe hands.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
TODAYS READING
2 CHRONICLES 23-24
PSALM 19
MATTHEW 26
James Okumu|
HOPE FM | NPC Valley Road
As they were studying chapter three, they came across…..
Malachi 3:2-3 (New International Version)
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men, who will bring offerings in righteousness,
This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."
One of the things I have realized in life is that the Lord is more interested in who am becoming than how comfortable am. We all want to be vessels of honor that have been purified so that the Lord can use us for His glory. The problem we have is that many of us want the end product but we are not willing to go through the process. One of the things I love about this illustration is the God never takes His eyes of me through the whole process of purification. We must all get to the place where we can say like John the Baptist in
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Only then will He be able to see His reflection in your life making you a vessel of honor one that has been purified through the fire. There are no shortcuts; we all have to go through the fire to be purified so that He can use us
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Allow God to take you through the fire and remember He has His eyes on you. Be still until He can see His reflection in your life. You are in safe hands.
THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
TODAYS READING
2 CHRONICLES 23-24
PSALM 19
MATTHEW 26
James Okumu|
HOPE FM | NPC Valley Road
Gods' Miraculous Saving
On Sunday the 19th July 2009 youths from the Friends Centre Nakuru were invited to Njoro Precious Girls School for a Rally. Fortunately they made their way and arrived there safely. They had a very good time and the heavens were opened. But on their way back, Five of them who were driving on a personal vehicle were involved in an accident. The hind tire of the vehicle they were travelling in burst and they lost direction and veered off the road into a ditch. Luckily non of them got injured and they are all safe and sound without any injury. We thank God for this act of saving them and we want to tell the devil that he is a liar and would not have a chance to claim any of Gods' being. You can see the wreckage of the vehicle and the ditch that they plunged into. For sure God is our keeper and lets keep on trusting Him. (Willy, Alex, Shaggy, Niger and Lucy)
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