What Kind of Leader Do You Want?

And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." - Numbers 14:4

What kind of leader do you want? The Israelites were scared. They heard a bad report about the promise land and they began looking for a way out. They wanted a leader who would cater to their fears and lead them back to Egypt. In spite of the miraculous signs God had preformed among them the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt. They were so focused on the opposition before them that they had forgotten about the Lord's faithfulness. They were ready to abandon the Moses and Aaron, whom God had used to bring them out of Egypt and to the promise land.

Godly leaders often fly in the face of conventional wisdom and popular opinion, and following them requires faith in the God they serve. Are you willing to follow when God uses someone to lead you in a direction that intimidates you? What about when God asks you to be the one to step up and lead others, are you willing to follow Him then?

Lord, thank you for the godly men and women that you have placed in my life. Stir in me a greater appreciation for them. Show me how I can pray for them and honor you by following their leadership. Thank you for our pastor and his devotion to you, your Word and our church family. I pray that you will give me the wisdom, humility and courage I need to serve as the leader you want me to be.

By His Grace,
Matt

Extreme Humility

"Now Moses was very humble--more humble than any other person on earth."
Numbers 12:3 NLT

Moses was a great leader of God's people with a unique relationship with God. Yet he was also amazingly humble. His brother and assistant Aaron and his sister Miriam were jealous of Moses' position and privilege so they began to criticize him. Moses' humility was expressed in the fact that he did not try to defend himself or his position. But God stepped in and defended Moses and secured Moses' position as leader. (Click on the reference to read the story in Numbers 12).

Jesus, the even greater servant of God, surpassed Moses in humility (see Philippians 2:5-11). Humility that does not seek to exalt or defend oneself is a key characteristic of leadership in God's kingdom. If we walk in humility we do not seek to secure our position but leave it in God's hands and we do not seek to silence our critics but let God deal with them. Our focus is to walk with God in His service and trust Him to handle these things in His way and His time.

Father, help me to walk in the genuine humility of Christ, as Moses did, seeking only to do Your will while leaving my security in Your hands.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Sharing the Load

I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone. Numbers 11:14-17 NLT

Moses felt the incredible weight of leading and caring for God's people. He came to realize that he alone was not sufficient for the task. He complained to God and God graciously provided 70 Spirit-filled men to share the load with Moses.

Leading and caring for God's people is never a one person show. God provides His church with many Spirit-filled people who are capable of helping to lead and care for His people. Along with with the pastor God provides other ministers and deacons t0 serve Him in the church. But in addition to these God gifts every member to share the load of ministry. Each Christian is called to ministry and the church is blessed when each one exercises their gift in Christ's service to build up the Body. "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).

Father, strengthen and guide those who lead our church that they may faithfully carry the load and lead Your people. Help me to faithfully use the gifts You have given me to serve Your Body and share the load of ministry.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Morning and Evening

And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel!” Numbers 10:35-36 NLT

As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness toward the Promised Land, Moses began and ended each stage of the journey with a prayer. In response to Moses' prayers, God went before Israel by day leading the way and protecting them and God watched over Israel at night as they camped.

Perhaps as a child you were taught to say morning and/or evening prayers. Do we ever outgrow the need to begin and end the day with prayer? In the morning ask God to lead you through the day guiding you in His will and protecting You from the enemy. In the evening thank God for His grace through the day and ask His watch-care through night. Morning and evening prayer will create a greater consciousness of God and dependence on Him in your life.

Father, I need You morning and evening. I need You every hour of the day. Lead me out this morning and protect me from the enemy who prowls about like a roaring lion. Watch over me this night and keep me in Your peace.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Christians

"The disciples were first called Christians as Antioch." Acts 11:26 NIV

The name Christian was first spoken as a term of ridicule by unbelievers toward the disciples of Jesus. Christian simply means one who follows Christ. Though it was once spoken in ridicule it is a title that defines our life and one we greatly cherish. What an honor to be identified with Christ!

However, it seems the name Christian is tossed around lightly today. We call anyone who professes any kind of belief in Christ a Christian even if there is no evidence in their life. When the unbelievers called the disciples at Antioch Christians it was because they saw something distinctive in their life. It was obvious that they not only believed but were committed to following Jesus. We would do well to remember the honor and responsibility of bearing so great a name and to pray it would be evident in our lives that we follow Jesus Christ.

Father, I thank you for the name Christian. I am proud to be a follower of Your Son. May my commitment to Him be obvious to a watching world and may they be drawn to Him through my life.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Tuning in to God

"The next day as Cornelius' messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon..." Acts 10:9 NLT

As a Christian, Peter continued to observe the Jewish practice of regular hours of prayer. In his set time of prayer at noon God spoke to Him and prepared him to participate in something significant--the conversion of Gentiles in the household of Cornelius.

A regular pattern of prayer keeps our life in sync with God and prepared for His use. He speaks to those who regularly tune in to hear Him through Scripture and prayer. Not every prayer time will be filled with such specific instructions as Peter's was on that particular day. But every prayer time can be filled with real communion with God and on some days He will draw us into something significant if we are tuned in to Him.

Father, I want to be regular in prayer and always receptive to Your leading. Keep me in step with You today and use me for Your purposes.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Don't Coast

"So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers." Acts 9:31 HCSB

After the conversion of Saul the once fierce persecutor of the church to faith in Christ, the church enjoyed a period of peace before the next wave of persecution came. During this period of peace the believers did not sit back and coast. It was a period of dynamic growth spiritually and numerically. As they lived in a reverent relationship with Christ as Lord and responded to the activity of the Holy Spirit in their midst they were built up and others were won to Christ.

The church in America lives in relative peace. In our peaceful state, are we coasting or growing? It is far too easy to coast when there are no troubles challenging and strengthening our faith. But we need to take advantage of our peace to grow in a reverential relationship to Christ as Lord and to respond to what the Spirit is doing around us. These are good days to grow up spiritually and to grow out through sharing our faith. Don't let the peace pass without profit.

Father, I'm blessed to live in a peaceful state but help me to grow and not coast during these days. Help me to grow up in Christ and to grow out by sharing Him with others.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Divine Appointments

"The Holy Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and walk along beside the carriage.'" Acts 8:28 NLT

Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to get close to the Ethiopian Eunuch's carriage. Once Philip was close he overheard the Ethiopian man reading Isaiah and this opened the door for a conversation which resulted in Philip leading the man to faith in Christ. It all started with Philip being sensitive and obedient to God's leadership.

If we desire to be used by God to help others know Christ, He will use us. If we pray for Him to lead us to people and opportunities to share the faith, He will lead us. Some of the seemingly smallest steps of obedience to God's voice may be the very thing that puts us in position to participate in a divine appointment. A divine appointment is a meeting engineered by God between a willing witness and a seeker.

Prepare yourself to be used by God through walking in daily fellowship with Him. Pray for divine appointments and the ability to recognize them when they come. Be sensitive and obedient to God's leadership in your life and you may be surprised to see how God uses you.

Father, lead me and use me to help others know Jesus. Help me to have a responsive heart, listening ears, and open eyes today.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

The Difference a Day Makes

"Didn't we tell you never again to teach in this man's name?" the high priest demanded. ... But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority."
Acts 5:28, 29 NLT

Oh the difference a day makes! Only days before the disciples had scattered like scared children when Jesus was arrested and Peter had strongly denied knowing Him while Jesus was on trial. But now they stood without fear before the same authorities who killed Jesus and refused to quit preaching the good news. The resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into their lives at Pentecost (Acts 2) had radically changed their lives. They had not become better and more courageous men through self-improvement. They had become new men through spiritual rebirth effected by faith in Jesus and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

When we believe in Jesus this same Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and transform us. We become new men and women in Christ immediately through spiritual rebirth. However, sometimes the transformation from what we were to who are now in Christ becomes visible in us more slowly. But we have the power to live as the new people we are in the presence of the Holy Spirit if we will only daily yield control of ourselves to Him.

Believe the Holy Spirit is present in Your life. Confess every sin which may hinder Him. Ask for His fullness. Live in moment by moment dependence upon Him. And day by day you will become the new person You were re-born to be in Christ.

Father, work your transforming work in my life by Your Holy Spirit today so that I become more the person You have saved and called me to be in Christ.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Strength in numbers

"As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God..." Acts 4:23-24 NLT

Having been threatened by the religious leaders not to preach Jesus, Peter and John went to the body of believers. The body of believers went to God in prayer. When following Christ becomes challenging to whom do you go? Do you pray to God? Do you have anyone with whom you pray?

God connects us with other believers so that we can share together the joys and challenges of our discipleship journey. When challenged spiritually we need to have people around us with whom we can share our challenge and they need to be people who will go with us to God in prayer. We also need to be a person to whom others can come when they are challenged with confidence that we will hear and pray with them. There is spiritual strength in spiritual numbers. Together we grow forward in the journey.

Father, deepen my connection with fellow believers in the life of Your church so that together we can successfully journey forward with Christ.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Blessed through Obedience

"Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land." Leviticus 25:18 NIV

God's laws were designed to bring His people into close relationship with Him and to bless their lives. God's laws were not arbitrary demands but rather they served to promote the welfare of His people through establishing peace, safety, health, and productivity.

If obeyed today God's commands will bring us into closer relationship with Him and bring about good in our lives. 1 John 5:3 reminds us, "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." When we understand the love God has for us then we understand His commands are an expression of His loving concern for us. His commands are designed to lead us in living the "abundant life" (see John 10:10). Let's not view obedience as a burden but embrace God's commands as a blessing.

Father, I thank You for guiding me through Your commands into life and blessing. As you love me through Your commands so help me to love You by obeying your commands.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Seeking Holiness

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy." Leviticus 20:7-8 NLT

Holiness is both something we cultivate and something we receive. God commands us to cultivate holiness in our lives with the call to "set yourselves apart to be holy, for I, the LORD, am your God." We cultivate holiness in our life by obeying God's commands both to shun unholy things and to embrace holy things. Cultivating holiness is as much about what we embrace as is it is about what we shun. If our whole plan for holiness is avoiding sin we will go spiritually mad and become legalistic. The joy of holiness is in embracing relationship with God and embracing the good things He has created for our enjoyment which draw us nearer Him.

But holiness is not something we can merely cultivate by our own effort. God says, "I am the LORD, who makes you holy." We must first of all receive holiness as God's gracious gift and mighty work in our life through His Holy Spirit. Pray for God to create in You the holiness you cannot hope to attain apart from Him. Then work in concert with His Spirit to cultivate an ever growing holiness in Your life.

Father, as You are holy I desire to be Holy. Grant to me holiness as Your gift through the working of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Teach me to daily cultivate holiness by embracing those things which draw me nearer to You.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Helping the Poor

“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:9-10 NLT

It becomes clear in the law of God that He cares for the poor and the stranger and He would have His people do the same. The first-fruits of one's harvest was to be given to God in recognition of His provision (Ex. 22:29; Prov. 3:9). The edges of the fields and the grain dropped by the harvesters was to be left for the poor to pick up. In this way God was honored and the poor were helped.

As stewards of our resources we know well the call to give the first-fruits (tithe) to God. But do we leave the "edges of our fields" for the poor? God would have us share His concern for people in need and to show it by planning to leave some of our resources to help them. Do you have a plan to honor God and help the poor with your resources?

Father, I thank You for Your care for the down and out and the lonely and forgotten. Help me to share Your heart and become a vessel through which You can show Your concern.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Do not Conform

"So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the Lord your God. If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord." Leviticus 18:3-5 NLT

Why is it that we tend to conform to the world around us? God warned Israel against imitating the Egyptians or the Canaanites but ultimately they did not heed His call. The pull of the world is so strong but in the end it leaves us still wanting. The ways of God lead to true life and blessing. We know this in our heads but have difficulty keeping our hearts in check.

In the New Testament we find the same call: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2 NLT). Let God use His Spirit and Word to transform the way you think so the way you live will reflect His will and not the world's ways.

Father, Your will is far superior to the ways of this world and yet I too often find myself conforming to the worlds customs. Strengthen and transform me by Your Spirit and Word so that I may walk in Your will thus bringing glory to You and true pleasure to me.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Good Friday

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the Skull)....And they crucified him..." Mark 15:22, 24a NIV

Since it is Good Friday I am departing from reflections on our normal readings to remember the cross. The Friday Christ was crucified was both a grave and glorious day. It was grave because of the immense suffering and unjust death of the innocent Son of God. It was our sin that nailed Him to the cross. It was glorious because Christ voluntarily offered Himself in death to be deliver us from bondage to sin. As the prophet Isaiah says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Remember the gravity of this day. Search your heart, confess and repent of any known sin. Remember the glory of this day. Praise your Savior and rest in His rich love for You.

Lord Jesus, thank you for willingly going to Golgotha and enduring terrible suffering and death for my sake. Forgive my sin and draw me near to You. I love You and praise You, dear Lamb of God and Savior.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark