Servant Resources

Walking in the Flesh

What happens when you walk in the flesh:

 

-You rob yourself from experiencing God’s fullness

-You lose confidence

-You lose spiritual ground

-You go backwards emotionally and mentally

-Your perspective becomes muddled

-You lose intimacy with God, family and community

-You have to fight twice as hard to get back to square one

-You allow shame and guilt in

-You are unable to respond from a position of strength

-You put yourself at great risk: High risk, low return

-You walk in darkness rather than his marvelous light

-You make it very difficult for you to lead

-You act in ways to hinder or destroy your reputation

-You may cause yourself great embarrassment

-You cause other's to lose confidence in you

-You give up spiritual power & the ability to walk in the Spirit

-You are unable to speak into the lives of others

-You lose of authority (spiritual and moral)

 

So let me ask, is that enough to keep you on the right path? The next time you are tempted to walk in a way that is contrary to what God desires, pull out these questions and ask yourself if this is what you want.

Claiming the Promises of God

“But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.” Psalm 3:3

 

King David spent a considerable amount of time running. No, he wasn’t a jogger; he was running from those who sought to destroy him. He ran from King Saul who was jealous of David. He ran from his own son, Absalom, who revolted against his throne, seeking it for himself.

 

In all of his running, David remained in close relationship with his God. He wrote this particular verse when Absalom was trying to have him killed. David spoke out the truths of scripture; he verbalized a reality that was in direct contrast to what he was experiencing at the time.

 

David’s short expression to God held 3 foundational truths that we would do well to remember. First, he spoke of God’s protection. A shield keeps arrows from finding their mark, it deflects the blows of the sword and it keeps the critical parts of the body covered. God is a shield. The arrows of the enemy must pass through him to get to us, attempts to strike us down are diverted by his presence and he guards our hearts as we remain in his presence.

 

Secondly, our God is a God of grace. He is generous with his gifts, protection, love, strength, power, wisdom and blessing. He forgives our trespasses, he covers our sin, he separates them from us as far as the east is from the west, and he remembers them no more. And then he promises his power to overcome. He gives us strength when we are tempted, and boldness in the face of evil.

 

Thirdly, he lifts up our heads. We no longer need to hang our heads in shame. Shame came in to the world when Adam and Eve fell, but was annihilated on the cross. We are as free from shame as we are from our old way of life. He offers it, but we must reach out and take it to make it our own.

 

Allow him to be your shield today, to cover you with his grace and to be the one who lifts up your head!    

What is a Disciple?

Matthew chapter 5 begins with Jesus ascending a mountain. As the scene on the mountain unfolds, Jesus seats himself and his disciples gather around him. They wanted to be close to him and to hear his teachings, because they considered themselves to be his followers. These disciples were different than the rest of the crowd that came to hear him that day. Everyone wanted to hear his teachings and to see miracles, but not everyone wanted to devote their lives to his service.

The word, disciple defined at its most basic level, is a learner. It is someone who moves beyond mere knowledge or memorization of facts, truths and principles to a place where they are seeking to live out what they are learning.           

The narrative of this story tells us that the disciples came to Jesus where he was seated. They took the steps necessary to bring themselves to a place of learning, actively engaging with the master. One who comes to learn may be a clearer definition of what a disciple is. They are deliberately placing themselves in a position to hear and apply.

In the book of Hebrews we are told that in order to come, we must first believe. Belief is a prerequisite to coming. If you do not believe that there is something to learn, you hinder your ability to learn at all. A disciple of Christ must believe that Jesus is God and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him out, who come to him.

When a disciple comes after God, he comes so forcefully that every other relationship appears to be one of “hate” in comparison.  Jesus spoke of this when he stated that “if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Another description of a disciple is one who is in the process of dying. After Jesus made the statement about hate, he said that “anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” When Jesus carried his cross, he was on his way to death. Anyone pursuing him must be willing to go to the same destination. As Christians, we are not those who are living while preparing to die; but those who are dying while preparing to live.

A third perspective of a disciple is simply “one who follows Christ.” The disciples were first called Christians in the town of Antioch. The term Christian literally means “little Christ.” It was a recognition that these men had walked with Jesus and that they sought to emulate him. This is what it means to follow.

As children we played follow-the-leader, which required us to do exactly as the person leading did. A disciple does no less; he sees the leader and embodies the principles and actions of the leader himself. A Christian disciple goes even further in that they not only follow principles; they live out the life of Christ himself from within. Jesus promised to indwell the believer and provide his own presence and power for daily living.

Yet another descriptor of a disciple is “one who is called.” Jesus hand-picked the 12 men who would become his disciples, they did not choose themselves. Discipleship begins with God’s call on an individual.  I believe that the Lord said this because he wants us to remain aware that we can do nothing of eternal significance in our own strength. Even the decision to follow after him comes at his beckoning.

A final perspective on the term disciple is that of one who, in responding to Christ’s call, comes with empty hands. The scriptures tell us that when Jesus called an individual they left behind the things that represented security and stability in their lives, for he wanted their full reliance to be on him.

Simon Peter left his livelihood

James and John left their family

Matthew left his occupation

The woman at the well left her jar

These responded to his call with empty hands.  So often we want to come to Jesus with all our trappings; our emotional attachments, our possessions, our dreams, our wants and desires, and even our giftedness.  We tend to think that once we become a Christian, we can put all our gifts and talents to use for God.

But we need to recognize that there is a great difference between being called and calling yourself.

Corporate Turnaround Artist - Part 6

Principle 1 – Begin by committing to do what is right

Principle 2 – Stay on track by observing six spiritual disciplines

Principle 3 – Address moral issues first

Principle 4 – Lay out the plan for what you want to accomplish

Principle 5 – Open closed doors

Principle 6 – Commit to action

 

The narrative of Hezekiah’s reign tells us that he began executing his plan immediately upon taking office. In the very first month of his new leadership, he took significant action. He did take time to organize his thoughts and to lay out his plan, but he also put it quickly into action. We’ve all heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words.” The reason that quote exists is because it is a very common tendency for people to say one thing and do the opposite.

 

Hezekiah didn’t sit around waiting for something to happen; he got up and made it so. I’m sure that while many people rejoiced, there were plenty of others who disagreed with what he was doing. You cannot base your actions on whether others are for your plan or against it; however you must have a solid, well thought-out plan. The clarity of thinking used to create the plan of action is tremendously important, but so is the execution of the plan. They go hand-in-hand.

 

I also believe that it is critical to communicate the “why” behind what you are committing to. Be prepared to provide a clear explanation as to the reasons for your actions so that others can be clear and not come to their own conclusions. That doesn’t mean that you should spend a lot of time with the naysayers, but you do owe people a reasoned response.

 

The first actions you take set the stage for what kind of leader people will understand you to be. They will immediately look for clues and form their perspective of who you are and whether or not you are a person of action. All too often I hear people talking of great plans, creating ideas, adding suggestions or critiquing the work of others. Their flurry of activity seems to mean that they are busy, but closer examination reveals that there is never any specific accomplishment or action toward the goal.

 

Commit yourself to be the kind of person, who when they see the right path forward, takes it without hesitation.

Master

In the same story from Luke 5 from yesterday, Peter was faced with a choice when Jesus asked him to move out into the deep water and let down his nets. It’s clear that it was not Peter’s natural inclination to simply obey. He was careful to explain to Jesus how they had been out all night, working hard and had caught nothing. Really unnecessary in one sense, because any casual observer would already have noticed that.

 

But Peter wants to get those facts out regardless. I wonder how many times I do the same in conversation? There is something specific I want others to know about…some accomplishment or hard effort, so I work it in to the discussion. It’s not really necessary at all.

 

But Peter also makes a point of calling Jesus Master. He tells him that while he already had put out a great effort on his own, he recognized that Jesus had claim over his life. He saw that when Jesus speaks, there is a moment of choice that must be made. Will we obey and be blessed, or will we look around at all our human efforts and question whether or not he knows what he’s talking about?

 

Peter recognizes his own efforts, and although he didn’t fully understand, he responded saying that because the Master said so, he would do it. And the end result of his obedience is tremendous blessing, far beyond anything he had ever experienced in his life to that point.

 

Simple obedience. Even when it seems futile, actually, especially when it seems futile, appears to be the very best decision you can make.