Thoughts on Christ and His Word

What should we do when we believe somebody is wronging us or perhaps wronging somebody else? In 2nd Samuel 20:16-22 a woman handled a situation with tact and great wisdom. Rather than accusing Joab of a sin or crime she asked him a question: "Why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?" Of course Joab replied that he did not want to do that. He was only looking for a particular Rebel that was hiding in the city. By appealing to his sensibilities and convictions she was able to calm him down and figure out a solution to the problem with the city leaders. In this way they avoided the city from being ransacked and destroyed. It is often a much better way to correct someone by asking them appropriate questions and appeal to their sensibilities and convictions rather than straight on telling them what they're doing wrong.

I heard a preacher once say "everything comes from God and everything will go back to God". And I believe that is true and that is why we need to learn to be generous with everything God provides us. When David killed the Amalekites and plundered them, since they had attacked and plundered Ziklag, he came back with a lot of booty. Some bad men didn't want to share the plunder with those who had stayed back guarding the supplies because they were too tired to keep going. But David replied "No my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us." (1 Samuel  30:23) David recognized that it was God who had given them the victory, and given them the plunder so they needed to share it instead of hoard it. I need to learn to share generously what God has given to me.

What does true Biblical leadership look like? In 1 Samuel 12 the prophet Samuel addresses the people in his old age and asked them a question. "Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Who have I oppressed? From whose hands have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these I will make it right." 1 Samuel 12:3 What humility. It takes a humble man/leader to open up and say "tell me where I have failed you." In v.4 the people answer. "You have not cheated or oppressed us, they replied. You have not taken anything from anyone's hand." Samuel was a man of full integrity. This is the kind of leaders we need to be. These are the kinds of leaders we need leading our church, home groups, and ministries. 

Just a thought for leaders who believe they're indispensable. From Chuck Swindoll and his book on Moses: "You're not indispensable. I'm not indispensable. Nobody is indispensable, except the Lord Jesus Christ. He's the head. He's the preeminent one. He's the founder. He's in first place. And when He moves one and brings in another or demotes one and set up another, He calls the shots. That is his Sovereign right. The problem arises when we get to thinking we're Sovereign. My friend, He put you where He wanted you. He gave you that job. He can take it away just as fast as He gave it. Just Faithfully do your work, lie low, and exalt Christ."

Joshua 24:14 says "Now fear the lord and serve him with all faithfulness." This command is the logical conclusion to Joshua 24:1 - 13. In those verses God gives the people a history lesson with a heavy emphasis on his love for them. He describes how he demonstrated this Love through the use of his power to fight their enemies and give them the Promised Land. A land that was already filled with houses, Vineyards and Olive Groves. Houses ready to be lived in and fruit ready to be picked. The purpose of reviewing his love for them is found in verse 14, "Now fear the lord and serve him." We should love and serve God because of His love for us just as it says in Romans 12:2.

"The Lord is your life". Deuteronomy 30:20. In Deuteronomy 30:15 - 20, God laid out a choice for the people of Israel. They can choose life or death. He encouraged them to choose life - that is to love him and serve him (vs. 20). Yet in Deuteronomy 31:16 - 18 we see that God knew exactly what Israel would do in the future. He told Moses "these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the Covenant I made with them." He goes on to say that he will have to destroy them and bring many disasters upon them. This shows us that although God is omniscient he gives people real Liberty to choose between right and wrong. Although He knows the future choices of people, He acts in real time. God does not punish now for the sin he knows we will commit in the future. God gives us the opportunity to make real choices, but when our choices are to do evil and abandon Him, he sends discipline and trouble i...

Many people have opinions on the role of a pastor. But I am only interested in what God says is my role as a pastor. These are my thoughts based on 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus which are Paul’s instruction to other pastors on their role as spiritual leaders of God’s people. 1. Watch out and silence false teachers  (1 Tim. 1:3-11). The first thing Paul tells young Timothy to do is to “ command certain men not to teach false doctrine ” 1 Tim. 1:3. This work of a pastor involves two very important aspects: 1) Identify faslse doctrine (which is a major responsibility for pastors in Paul’s mind – see 1 Tim. 4:1-7; 6:3-5). 2) Have the courage to use your authority to “command” people in the church to stop teaching false doctrine. Too many pastors are weak and wont confront those that are teaching false doctrine. Paul told Titus:  “Encourage and rebuke with all  authority . Do not let anyone despise you.” Titus 2:15. Maintaining doctrinal purity in the church is one of the ...