Harnessing Diversity

Jesus had a diverse team. A tax collector, fishermen, a political activist, someone to manage the finances; some were impetuous, some more reflective and cautious. All struggled with pride and fear. Jesus poured Himself into them, building them into a powerful and effective team who would collaborate for a greater cause. How can you harness the diversity of your team toward greater effectiveness?

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. —Mark 3:16-19

Prayer: Jesus, show me how to harness the diversity of those around me. Help me to love them as they are while calling them to become more than they think they can be. Help us to accomplish more together than we can alone. In Your name I pray, amen.

-Lead Like Jesus

More Glorious Covenant

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Such confidence we have through Christ before God.  Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

I listened to a sermon today from Brother Clint of Petsworth Baptist Church in VA and heard him preach a sermon that was centered on Romans 7 and 2 Corinthians Chapter 3.  Brother Clint talked about the difference between the old covenant and the new and how blessed we are as Christians to have been “released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6).

2 Corinthians continues in explaining how much better the new covenant is…“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?  If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!  For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.  And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” (vs 7-11).

Often times, there are a lot of things in life that we wish were permanent and not transitory.  Such as tomorrow, I have to go to another Conference in Atlanta for my work.  I just shared our warranty presentation last year, but now I have to show another power point of our current warranty failures and I will have to do it again in six months, and in another six months, etc.

I know my husband is not enjoying the old covenant rules and the many repetitious commands, as we’ve been reading through Leviticus.

I also wanted a permanent fix this past weekend when I took my grand daughters to the movie theater to watch a cartoon.  Before the movie even started and we were watching the previews, the seven year old said that she had to go to the bathroom.  Therefore, we had to gather up all of our things, walk out of the theater, go to the bathroom, make sure both of them go, wash their hands, and then go back to our seats.  This was not a one-time cleansing.  I had to take the girls to the bathroom four times before the movie was finished…four times!

One of the main benefits of the new covenant is that it is permanent…it is a one time cleansing.  When we are in Christ as new creatures, “dying to what once bound us” (Romans 7:6), we now are “not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet talked about the new covenant that God was promising for his people; “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.  “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33).

God is the one that changes us so that our desires change.  The prophet Ezekiel said it this way, “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20).

Thank you Jehovah for the new covenant.  Thank you for the permanent, one-time atonement of Christ.  Please help me to always remember what you’ve done for me and help me to continue to seek you with a changed heart.

-RB

Hebrews 9:11-14

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.  He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Tradition Vs Truth

“You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”  Mk. 7:8

One of the toughest moments in a teacher’s life is when one of his or her students decides to reject their teaching.  I can remember Paul’s shock with the people in the church at Galatia.  He thought it unimaginable that the people would “turn so soon to another gospel,”  Gal. 1:6

Brothers and sisters, “Truth is always under attack.”  Today’s passage in the Gospel of Mark should be a powerful reminder of our need to know the truth.

Think it through:  

The religious leaders have elevated the oral law (unwritten) to an equal value or even higher value than God’s Word.  These leaders claimed that Moses spoke more laws than the one’s given in His Word.  To these they laid the greater emphasis in carrying out.

To this Jesus addressed Himself in Mark 7.

At best tradition is a covering for the outside of man.  It covers the inner corruption of the heart.  But deeper still only God’s truth can change the heart.  Out of the heart flows the reality of our lives.

Only God’s truth can change the heart!!!

Question, “Are you fighting for truth or are you fighting for your tradition?”  I want to fight for the truth!!!

Our response:

Each day we must test our viewpoints against the Word of God.  Each day we must choose to forsake the tradition and follow the truth.  This may be hard for some who have followed tradition so very long that it has become in their minds, truth.  But the journey is worth it because we should want to be different from the inside out and not just the outside only.

-Pastor Keith Joseph

Rubbing Shoulders

Matt. 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

ESV

I am taking a seminary workshop this week entitled “Servant Leadership.”  It’s a great course.  Leadership is a field of study that I am interested in because I feel like it has so much value to what God has called me to do with my life.  During the lecture, we got off on a rabbit trail for a few minutes talking about bi-vocational ministry.  By bi-vocational, I mean, pastors that work a full time secular job in addition to their ministry or pastoral position.  I served bi-vocationally at Shiloh from April of 2002 until July of 2003, when I became a fulltime pastor.

As we talked, so many thoughts and memories flooded into my mind.  The discussion revolved around the opportunities that bi-vocational pastors have to “rub shoulders” with lost people.  I remember leading a man named Lance to Christ in my Pulp Mill Superintendent’s Office in Macon.  I remember sharing Christ and sharing my story with so many people though the years in the secular work environment.  This is an element of full time ministry that I find sometimes disappointing.  Hard as I try, I can’t seem to get Bro Ryan or Bro Tony to get saved again!   The one main reason I love going to the gym to work out is to meet lost people!  I could workout at home, but there are no lost people to rub elbows with!  (Except our dog Magic, but I don’t think there’s any hope for her)

Why did I tell you all that?  To help you see what an incredible opportunity God has entrusted you with if you interact daily or even weekly with lost people.  I am not questioning where God has put me in this time and place in my life, I am only saying that if you have the opportunity to meet lost people during the day, don’t take that incredible privilege for granted!  Redeem the time!

-BP

Ephesians 5:15-16

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

NKJV

Put Away Lying

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Because you are a Christian, your life ought to be permeated with truth. When you were born again, God put the Spirit of truth in you (John 16:13). The Spirit’s role is to guide you into all truth. The Spirit wants to fill your mind with whatever is true (Phil. 4:8). If you allow the Spirit to fill you with God’s truth, you will be truthful in your actions and in your relationships. According to Jesus, this means that your yes will always be yes, and your no will always mean no (Matt. 5:33–37).

The world considers truth optional. Deception permeates every corner of society because the prince of this world is the author and father of lies (John 8:44). From his first contact with people, Satan has been lying to them and persuading them to live in falsehood rather than in truth.

The world will tempt you to compromise the truth. You may be fooled into thinking that you can accomplish greater good by withholding the truth. That is a demonic deception. You cannot use deception to build the kingdom of God! God refuses to use sinful means to accomplish His holy purposes. You may be tempted to live a lie by projecting a false image of yourself. Jesus condemned this as hypocrisy (Luke 12:56). When you sin, you will be tempted to conceal the truth; yet only as you confess the truth will you be forgiven and set free (James 5:16).

What you say reflects what is in your heart (Matt. 12:34). If your heart is filled with deception, your mouth will speak falsehood. Ask God to permeate you with His truth so that you find falsehood, in any form, abhorrent.

-BMI devotion

The Difference Your Life Can Make

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

One of the Christian’s greatest deterrents from sin is the life of another Christian. Some Christians maintain that it is none of their business if another chooses to sin. They are convinced that they are being judgmental if they respond to someone in sin. The world persuades them not to get involved, but this inaction prevents them from being an effective intercessor.

As Christians we are aware that sin brings death_(Rom. 6:23). Sin kills relationships, dismantles marriages, stifles joy, and destroys peace. When we see someone wander from the truth into error, how should we respond? When Jesus saw sin it broke His heart. He wept over entire cities as He saw them rejecting the truth (Matt. 23:37–39). He prayed fervently for His disciples to be strong when they were tempted (John 17). He warned those who were heading toward spiritual failure (Matt. 26:20–25, 34). Jesus was even willing to die to save people from their sins because He knew the devastation that sin causes. Jesus never stood idle as those around Him were led astray by their sin. He always took an active role in turning them back to God.

“Minding your own business” will save you some discomfort, but it will not help a brother or sister who needs to return to the Lord. If you are truly aware of the grave consequences for those who continue in sin, you will be moved to weep even as Jesus wept. Pray fervently for your friend. That will safeguard your motives and prepare you to minister to him. Be alert, in the event that God asks you to confront your friend. If you do so, be loving and gentle lest you, too, be tempted (Gal. 6:1).

-BMI devotion

Run, You Can Do It!

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

I took my son’s dog with me as I ran down the road today.  I have done this a few times since my son and his family have been living with us.  I like to run with his dog for a couple of reasons.  1. Because I don’t like the dog being chained up in the back yard on a very short runner all of the time and 2. because it makes me feel safe since his dog is a really big rottweiler.

The very first time that I ran with his dog a couple of months ago, I was scared that his dog would try to pull me around too much because he is so big.  (I feel like I’m running with a horse when I run beside him.)  However, the rottweiler is pretty well behaved on a leash and doesn’t try to run after other dogs in our neighborhood or cars that drive by…which is good because if he really wanted to chase something, I don’t think I could stop him.

In fact, I actually have the opposite problem when running with the rottweiler.  He’s not a good runner.  Yes, he is big and yes, he could easily outrun me if he wanted to, but he doesn’t want to.  He’s lazy.  As I’ve been running with him, I’ve had to train him and get him in shape.  However, it has been a couple of weeks since we have run together, so today, he went back to his old ways of panting and wanting to stop (granted it was over 90 degrees today, but I did wait until evening time).

As I run down the road with this really big, strong animal, I find it very strange that I continue to have to pull his leash and tell him to keep running.  I’ve learned over the last couple of months with him, that it helps to talk to him while we’re running.  If I tell him encouraging words such as “keep running” and “come on” and “you can do it” and “we’re almost there” that he does a lot better.

This made me think about our Christian walk in life.  It doesn’t matter how capable someone may seem, or how together a brother or sister may seem to have everything, let’s not assume that they are easily strolling along.  Let’s give each other encouragement as we strive to finish the course faithful.  Let’s build each other up so that we don’t lose a runner.  Let’s show that we truly care by running beside them, pushing them, encouraging them with words, and yes, by pulling their leash and dragging them when we have to.

-RB

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

A Wise Son

A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke (Prov. 13:1).

The Book of Proverbs offers a wealth of advice on the raising of children. It would be in the best interest of every parent to prayerfully study these Words and learn how to apply them to their individual situations. If we approach it with an open heart geared towards instruction, it is generally easy to find advice in the pages of God’s Word; however, it can be much harder for us to put that advice to work in our own lives. A perfect example of this can be found in today’s reading.

It is the duty of the parent to do their best to instill godly ways into the lives of their children. Solomon knew much about this subject as his own father, David, had tried to be proactive in passing along the things he had learned to his son. Frequently parents are sadly lacking in this regard. They get so caught up in the day to day aspects of raising children that they forget their most important responsibility. As parents, we are certainly called to be involved in our child’s education, and we have the responsibility to help them find their way. However, we have been primarily ordained by God to lead them to Him. If we do not do everything in our power to raise them to love and fear the Lord, then we have failed in the most important task we will ever have. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

Sometimes, however, the problem is not in how the instructions are given, but instead lies in how they are received. The child who is wise will hear the instructions that are given to them by their parents and will honor those instructions by applying them to their lives. However, all children do not receive instructions from their parents so easily. Many may reject the message being delivered to them and decide to do their own thing, just as we, as God’s children, often reject His guidance. At times, two children from the same household will react to their parents in different ways. Even though they have received the same instruction, one child will walk in obedience to the things of God while the other will not. As parents, we can be left confused. Why did this happen? What went wrong? The answer is that our enemy, the devil, seeks to place a rift in our family units. If the devil can rob us of the next generation, he deals a hard blow to the cause of Christ. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (Luke 8:12).

So what is a parent to do? If the seeds we are planting in our children are not taking root, then we need to redouble our efforts and plant more seeds! As we see them begin to sprout, we must take extra care in tending the seedlings. In other words, try and try again. Pray constantly. Rebuke the devil in the lives of your family, and call on Christ’s limitless strength and guidance. The cost of failure is too high to contemplate. Remember, the Lord is on your side. The devil has no power when it comes to our Lord.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19).

-sbc.net

Thought for Today:

Guard your tongue – speak only those things that build up another.

 

Seeking Truth

James 1:22

New International Version (NIV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

I’ve been reading a fiction book during my spare time that is about a genius woman who started college at age 14 and by the age of 20, had discovered the formulas and abilities necessary for submarines to cross-sonar (this is the ability of two submarines to communicate without it being heard by others).  The United States Navy had taken her information and made it confidential so that they could use it without other countries being able to know how to do it.

Now in the book, she is ten years older and she is figuring out a new way to use the cross-sonar technology where she could help the submarines ping an enemy submarine without giving away its location or even making the submarine aware that it was pinged.  This new idea that she is experimenting with would have a drastic impact on the U.S. Navy as it would change what they would be able to do.  However, it would also have a really negative impact if other countries were to find out how to do it as well as it would make their locations very vulnerable.

Instead of trying to stop the woman from continuing with her research though, the Navy is helping her.  They are not avoiding the information, but instead they are embracing it to use it.

The same should be true about us as we study and read the Bible.  If we read something that contradicts how we’ve been living our lives, or we learn something that we didn’t know was true before, we should not try to ignore the information, or hide it, or rationalize it, or interpret it in a different way; instead, we should learn from it, embrace it, and change our lives.  We shouldn’t “delude” ourselves by brushing it off, but let’s seek after truth and strive to live only truth.

My friend writes this, “In Romans 10:17, Paul wrote:” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” (HCSB). There is a progression here. Hearing the word, having faith in that word, and as James emphasizes here, doing something about it.

Many may say: “I’m a believer.” That’s well and good, but there must be a constant, never ending demonstration of that belief. Both Strong’s and Thayer’s notes that a believer is a performer.

The word (G3884 παραλογίζομαι paralogizomai par-al-og-id’-zom-ahee) which is translated as deceiving, delude, and fooling ourselves, carries the meaning, according to Vine’s:’ “to reckon wrong,” hence means “to reason falsely”.’ It is so easy to deceive ourselves. Isn’t our human nature that what we believe, whatever it might be, must be right and correct, without fault? If what we believe is challenged we may even become angry because to challenge what we believe is to challenge us as a person.

If we are not sure of why we believe something we fall back to rationalizing; manufacturing reasons to justify that what we believe must be absolute Truth. When it comes to knowing Bible Truth there can be no manufacturing, no rationalizing. We must learn, then know the Truth, and then, and this is the difficult aspect of learning, making it a part of us.  Only then can we become doers of the word.”

Proverbs 18:17

New International Version (NIV)

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Born Again

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Entering a saving relationship with Christ is a life-changing experience! All things become new! Not some things, but all things (2 Cor. 5:17). For the first time in your life, Christ is Lord; God is Master. When you become a Christian, Christ’s presence will affect every part of you. You will have new thoughts, new attitudes, new values, and new sensitivities. New priorities will dramatically affect your relationships. You will view everything in your life from a Christ like perspective. Christianity is not something you add to your life; it is life!

Nicodemus thought that salvation meant performing certain religious exercises and holding to particular religious teachings. He had no idea of the all-encompassing nature of salvation! When you become a Christian, God gives you a new heart so that everything becomes new! God gives you a new mind, like that of Christ, so you think differently. He gives you new emotions, so you feel deeply about completely different matters. You become sensitive to sin, so you are no longer comfortable with it. Your recreation will be affected as you are made aware of what is honoring to God and what is not. Your relationships will now be guided by the Holy Spirit. Destructive habits and attitudes, previously immune to change, will be transformed.

Have you noticed the changes God has brought to your life since you entered a vital relationship with Jesus Christ? These changes should be very noticeable as a testimony of the new life you received when you trusted Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

-BMI devotion