20/20/20 Challenge Day #38

NOTE:  TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY OF THE 20/20/20 CHALLENGE.  I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED TO READ AND STUDY THE BIBLE WITH MORE MEANING FOR YOUR LIFE.  FROM TIME TO TIME I MAY CONTINUE TO POST MY THOUGHTS, SO DON'T FORGET TO CHECK BACK OFTEN.


Today's Reading...
Leviticus 5:1
Acts 14

Proverbs 3:3-4

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you.  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart.  Then you will find favor with God and man and you will earn a good reputation.

Observation

Loyalty and kindness are virtues that if forgotten can have a detrimental effect on our influence and leadership.  They are the very things that make he loving wounds of a friend appreciated rather than hurtful.  Confrontation with them lurking in the picture bring faithfulness and meaning.

Application

I often find myself having to make decisions that cause pain to others.  I never want to do this, but it's the nature of position that I'm in.  If I forget these virtues of loyalty and kindness these decisions can devastate those who are on the receiving end.  However, I've learned that when you wrap those decisions in these virtues it helps soften the blow and brings teachableness to the situation and resolve.

Prayer

Lord, may I always learn to lead in love and loyalty and kindness.  May I never let the emotion of the situation serve to blind me of these virtues.  In Jesus Name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #37

Today's Reading...
Acts 13

Acts 13:4

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit...

Observation

These two are about as opposite in personality and style as two can get.  Their ministry shows how unity in the Holy Spirit can bring them together for his glory and his cause.

Paul was a rough rider.  He was passionate and wasn't afraid to stand up and even get in the face of someone who needed confronted.  Barnabas, on the other hand was full of God's truth, but carried a diplomatic edge that got him the title, "Son of Encouragement." Both types were needed and both types can work together in harmony when the Holy Spirit is given precedence. 

Application

I think it's natural to look for people to join you in life who are just like you in personality and form.  The temptation is great because people who are alike tend to avoid confrontational things and the baggage that goes with them.  But God's plan is to bring people together who are different, in personality, philosophy, and skill.  This certainly can open doors for disagreement, which it did in Paul and Barnabas, but ultimately it serves to strengthen God's work and mission.  Each of our strengths, when coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit, can serve to sure up the weaknesses of one another.

Prayer

God, thank you for the diversity of people you've brought into leadership at Connection Church.  May our differences be found in obedience to you, so that in you we can be most effective for you.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #36

Today's Reading...
Psalm 63

Psalm 63:3

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!

Observation

David penned these words at one of the lowest points in his life.  He was separated from his family, being pursued like a dog, and alone with no one to comfort him.  He felt the pain of isolation with no clear future in view.  What did he do?  He turned completely and fully to God and found his comfort in him.

Application

All of us can identify with David.  We all can look back to times when we are feeling all alone with no where to turn.  the question then remains, can we say we dealt with that time the way David dealt with it; by turning completely to God.

There are so many things we turn to in order to find comfort and for each person this things are different.  For some it may be food, others alcohol, perhaps pornography or even work.  Whatever the vice, we turn towards its because it promises to fill the empty void.  But David shows us the only thing that can truly fill the void is God himself.  He is the only one who "can satisfy me more than the richest feast (vs 5).

Prayer

Lord, may your love satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.  May your riches satisfy me in all things and may I never look for satisfaction in the things of this world.  In Jesus name!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #33

Today's Reading...

Exodus 33

Acts 9:1-19; 31-43

Exodus 33:19

The Lord replied, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you.  For I will show mercy on anyone I choose and I will show compassion on anyone I choose."

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument..."

Observation

God's ability to change a person's heart never ceases to amaze me.  How he takes filth and sin that builds up in our lives; melts it, softens it and peals it away, is nothing short of the greatest miracle.  No one is beyond his reach and the older I get the more I realize that God's grace is nothing short of irresistible.

Application

Growing up I often shied away from sharing my faith.  If someone asked, I would try to give them an answer, but I didn't like the thought of engaging people in it.  I don't think it's because I was embarrassed of my faith, but rather I thought that if I didn't lead them in the sinner's prayer and see their life changed I failed, and frankly the pressure of that thought simply overwhelmed me.  The more I realize that salvation completely and unequivocally belongs to the Lord it takes the responsibility off my shoulders and places it directly on his.  Now, I can more readily share my faith and find amazing joy in doing so, because I know that salvation belongs to him and not to me.

This also plays out in the way I pastor and lead Connection Church.  If I look at salvation as being my responsibility, I'll gravitate to gimmicks, shows and programs to save people, and It will always be in the back of my mind that I have to outdo myself next week and the next.  Now, I'm not against finding and utilizing various methods to create an environment that is conducive to the Holy Spirit moving, but I also realize that in the end they are only methods and in reality God doesn't need them to save someone.  This makes ministry joyful, fun and ultimately sustainable over the long haul and helps me not to take myself to serious in the whole thing.

Prayer

Lord, thank you that your arm is not too short to save!

20/20/20 Challenge Day #32

Today's Reading
Exodus 32
Acts 8:1-25

Exodus 32:25-26

Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get quickly out of control, much to the amusement of their enemies.  So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, "All of you who are on the Lord's side, come here and join me."  And all the Levites gathered around him.

Observation

Aaron and Moses bring to us a contrast in leadership. Aaron's leadership seemed to be about the people, but in reality it was about himself.  Aaron was a people pleaser and although his decision seemingly had the people in mind it was steeped in a hatred for them.  This is evident in the fact that he was more concerned with his own reputation, then he was for their overall well being.  Letting them do whatever they pleased brought horrible consequences to all of them.

Moses, on the other hand, had a deep love for God's people.  This was demonstrated in two ways; first, when he interceded for them (even to the point of putting himself in the place of punishment vs.32), and second, when he was unwilling to play into their demands.  He wasn't concerned with their view of him, but rather their obedience to God, because that is what brings blessing or consequences.

Application

What a powerful reminder of how I am to lead.  Whether it's with my children or the church, I'm tempted to lead in a way that preserves my reputation and my proclivity to be liked.  But, this is not loving the people I'm called to.  Many times love means confrontation, discipline, and a determination not to bend, which doesn't lend itself to being liked.  I continually need the power of the Holy Spirit to guide me in this.  True leadership doesn't get easier over time, in fact judging from the life of Moses, it really gets harder.  Therefore, I must continue to be filled with the wisdom, power and the grace of Jesus to help me.

Prayer

Help me Lord, to be the leader you've called me to be; being obedient to your word.  May I always lead with wisdom, compassion, and love, and may my temptation to be liked not get in the way of the uncompromising conviction to your word and you truth.  In Jesus Name!