For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25
It is always a good idea to read verses in context. The verse above was offered as a stand alone in my devotional materials for this morning. I decided to take a look at verses before and after. The verse immediately preceeding caught my attention.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24
"Take up their cross. . ." I have always remembered this particular passage as "take up my cross", referring to Christ's cross. But Jesus personalizes the believer's cross. While there are some common Christian disciplines in which we should all be engaged- witnessing, prayer, Bible study, meditation, tithing, etc. Matthew 16:24 goes beyond those shared disciplines.
Not all persons are called to teach Sunday School. Vacation Bible School would drive some devout Christians to drink. Not everyone is asked to serve lunch to the homeless. BUT each of us is required to find and carry our individual cross for Christ.
As mentioned earlier, there are common expectations for all Chistians, but we are each called to go beyond the foundational "requirements" and seek our personal, unique crosses to bear for Christ.
Things can get a little scary when we start to ask God to reveal the "extras" He wants us to do. Sunday school and once a week worship may require us to get a later tee time or miss out on a trip to the lake with the neighbors, but when a person starts to truly seek what God has designed specifically for them, things can get dicey. Comrfort zones can be broached. New learning may have to occur. Worldly pursuits may have to be sacrificed.
However, the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in knowing that you are truly taking up your individual cross for Christ will quickly replace any sense of loss or discomfort you feel. God wants the very best for His children. He will not lead a Christians to a "bad" place or into a ministry and not equip the person.
If we can trust God with our eternal soul why not trust Him with our ministry choices? If he can plan our eternity, surely He can work out a plan for where we can best serve Him while here on earth.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
June 26, 2013
"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18
"'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 19:19
But what if a person does not love himself? What if the self love is overinflated? What if a person is self-critical?
How does a person love himself, yet not become arrogant? We know we are all sinners, but we are also sanctified. We are forgiven of past, present and future sins, yet continue to sin on a daily basis. We are coheirs with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms, but Paul reminds us "do not think of yourself more highly that you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement." Romans 12:3
There are many pardoxes in Christianity. One of them being to remain humble while at the same time embracing our position as Children of God and realizing we are sanctified, purified, justified, forgiven, coheirs with Christ, blessed, protected and loved beyond measure.
In light of the great blessings that accompany Christianity, one must remember that these blessings are all a gift from God. Christ's death on the cross reconciled our relationship to God. Nothing we did. Nothing we said. Nothing we sang. Nothing we sacrificed. Nothing we deserve or could ever earn. But through Christ alone. His personal sacrifice made our relationship with God possible.
Our love of self should be based on the knowledge that we are justified, forgiven, sanctified, but only through the greatest of personal sacrifices by Jesus Christ.
"'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 19:19
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37–39
"'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30–31
So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27
For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Romans 13:9
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14
"Love your neighbor as yourself" is a oft repeated phrase in the Bible. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, repeated in three of the four Gospels and then referenced twice more in the New Testament. In fact is it one of the Big Two commandments according to Jesus Christ himself. One can safely assume loving your neighbor as yourself must be a pretty important precept for a Christian.But what if a person does not love himself? What if the self love is overinflated? What if a person is self-critical?
How does a person love himself, yet not become arrogant? We know we are all sinners, but we are also sanctified. We are forgiven of past, present and future sins, yet continue to sin on a daily basis. We are coheirs with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms, but Paul reminds us "do not think of yourself more highly that you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement." Romans 12:3
There are many pardoxes in Christianity. One of them being to remain humble while at the same time embracing our position as Children of God and realizing we are sanctified, purified, justified, forgiven, coheirs with Christ, blessed, protected and loved beyond measure.
In light of the great blessings that accompany Christianity, one must remember that these blessings are all a gift from God. Christ's death on the cross reconciled our relationship to God. Nothing we did. Nothing we said. Nothing we sang. Nothing we sacrificed. Nothing we deserve or could ever earn. But through Christ alone. His personal sacrifice made our relationship with God possible.
Our love of self should be based on the knowledge that we are justified, forgiven, sanctified, but only through the greatest of personal sacrifices by Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
June 25, 2013
"Who can hide in the secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill the heavens and earth?" declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:24 NIV
On our recent camping trip, Kristi and I listened to Bill O'Reilly's book about Lincoln's assassination. In it he wrote about a secret that John Wilkes Booth had in regards to a part of the assassination plans. I thought, "How did anyone know about that part of the plan if it was a secret?" Is a secret any longer a secret if even one other person knows?
With God, there are truly no secrets. What we whisper to a close friend- He knows. What we write in our journals- He knows. What we think in the dark of the night- He knows. Hateful thoughts- He knows. Lustful fantasies- He knows.
The danger of our thought life is that thoughts lead to attitudes and actions. The initial thought is not necessarily sinful. It is impossible to keep all our initial thoughts pure and righteous, but to allow that thought to take root, that is something we have control over.
Last week a radio preacher shared a challenge he used to have in regards to thinking about former girlfriends. Evidently it had become an issue for this particular individual. He shared how he memorized many of the old hymns to combat the old flame thought pattern. He laughingly shared sometimes it would take all six verses of "Amazing Grace" but eventually his thougths would get back in line. The golden oldies from the hymn book were his defense against destructive thought patterns.
It is just not lustful thoughts that need to be replaced with godly ones. Any thought patterns that are destructive need to be taken captive. Any thoughts that rob today of its joy have no place in a Christian's life. God has promised He will take care of His children's needs. He will "work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Hymns, scripture, remembrances of God's providence in past situation. Whatever it takes, replace negative, sinful, destructive thoughts with God-pleasing, edifying ones.
On our recent camping trip, Kristi and I listened to Bill O'Reilly's book about Lincoln's assassination. In it he wrote about a secret that John Wilkes Booth had in regards to a part of the assassination plans. I thought, "How did anyone know about that part of the plan if it was a secret?" Is a secret any longer a secret if even one other person knows?
With God, there are truly no secrets. What we whisper to a close friend- He knows. What we write in our journals- He knows. What we think in the dark of the night- He knows. Hateful thoughts- He knows. Lustful fantasies- He knows.
The danger of our thought life is that thoughts lead to attitudes and actions. The initial thought is not necessarily sinful. It is impossible to keep all our initial thoughts pure and righteous, but to allow that thought to take root, that is something we have control over.
Last week a radio preacher shared a challenge he used to have in regards to thinking about former girlfriends. Evidently it had become an issue for this particular individual. He shared how he memorized many of the old hymns to combat the old flame thought pattern. He laughingly shared sometimes it would take all six verses of "Amazing Grace" but eventually his thougths would get back in line. The golden oldies from the hymn book were his defense against destructive thought patterns.
It is just not lustful thoughts that need to be replaced with godly ones. Any thought patterns that are destructive need to be taken captive. Any thoughts that rob today of its joy have no place in a Christian's life. God has promised He will take care of His children's needs. He will "work for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
Hymns, scripture, remembrances of God's providence in past situation. Whatever it takes, replace negative, sinful, destructive thoughts with God-pleasing, edifying ones.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
June 20, 2013
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:35
Do Christians REALLY believe in hell? Are we convinced of its eternal, horrificness? Will God truly damn people for an eternity to such a place, even good people, not just the Hitlers and Mansons?
If we truly believe in such a horrible, eternal place called hell, then why doesn't Mark 8:35 keep Christians up at night? Why do we quote John 3:16 but not cry out in anguish over those who do "perish"?
The other day I was walking Roxie along Grand during morning traffic. As usual, many of the drivers were unaware, just intent on getting to work as quickly as possible. The driver of one car was texting and did not see the elderly person step into the street.
Luckily I was close enough to warn the senior citizen of the oncoming vehicle. It was also fortunate that there was enough time for him to return to the curb--if only I had said something to the elderly man. I chose to say nothing and simply allow nature to take its course. Sure enough the car struck the man. It was a fatal accident.
At first I felt horrible about not saying something, but then I figured it was really not my place. He knew to look both ways before crossing the street. I had to finish Roxie's walk and get to work. Oh well.
By now I hope you realize this entire episode is fiction. I would never fail to warn a person of impending danger. In fact in such a situation, while I might not be legally responsible, morally I would be to blame for not doing everything in my power to warn the individual of the oncoming vehicle.
But every day there are millions of people just one heartbeat away from an eternity spent separated from God in a most hellish, devestating place, but Christian co-workers, nephews, spouses, neighbors don't offer up a warning cry. No alert is sounded. No prayer offered.
I think we all would warn a person of an oncoming car. Why not oncoming damnation?
P.S. If you get a chance, read the book, One Thing You Can't do in Heaven.
Do Christians REALLY believe in hell? Are we convinced of its eternal, horrificness? Will God truly damn people for an eternity to such a place, even good people, not just the Hitlers and Mansons?
If we truly believe in such a horrible, eternal place called hell, then why doesn't Mark 8:35 keep Christians up at night? Why do we quote John 3:16 but not cry out in anguish over those who do "perish"?
The other day I was walking Roxie along Grand during morning traffic. As usual, many of the drivers were unaware, just intent on getting to work as quickly as possible. The driver of one car was texting and did not see the elderly person step into the street.
Luckily I was close enough to warn the senior citizen of the oncoming vehicle. It was also fortunate that there was enough time for him to return to the curb--if only I had said something to the elderly man. I chose to say nothing and simply allow nature to take its course. Sure enough the car struck the man. It was a fatal accident.
At first I felt horrible about not saying something, but then I figured it was really not my place. He knew to look both ways before crossing the street. I had to finish Roxie's walk and get to work. Oh well.
By now I hope you realize this entire episode is fiction. I would never fail to warn a person of impending danger. In fact in such a situation, while I might not be legally responsible, morally I would be to blame for not doing everything in my power to warn the individual of the oncoming vehicle.
But every day there are millions of people just one heartbeat away from an eternity spent separated from God in a most hellish, devestating place, but Christian co-workers, nephews, spouses, neighbors don't offer up a warning cry. No alert is sounded. No prayer offered.
I think we all would warn a person of an oncoming car. Why not oncoming damnation?
P.S. If you get a chance, read the book, One Thing You Can't do in Heaven.
Monday, June 17, 2013
June 17, 2013
Psalm 68:4-5 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him--his name is the LORD. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
Sometimes God speaks through a still small voice. He might use a Godly brother or sister to deliver a much needed message. He has even been known to use a giant finger to write on a wall. But in this particular instance in my life, God is nudging me through a steady stream of praise-oriented verses.
I will often times use a "Verse of the Day" from biblegateway.com for my morning devotional time. Several times over the past weeks the verse has focused on praise, a weak area of my quiet time.
So often when I try to spend time in praise, I find myself slipping into a laundry list of things for which I am thankful. Or worse yet, my mind wanders to a daily to-do list. But as I discover more and more verses I realize how an important a part of individual and corporate worship praise should be.
Time to praise more and type less.
Sometimes God speaks through a still small voice. He might use a Godly brother or sister to deliver a much needed message. He has even been known to use a giant finger to write on a wall. But in this particular instance in my life, God is nudging me through a steady stream of praise-oriented verses.
I will often times use a "Verse of the Day" from biblegateway.com for my morning devotional time. Several times over the past weeks the verse has focused on praise, a weak area of my quiet time.
So often when I try to spend time in praise, I find myself slipping into a laundry list of things for which I am thankful. Or worse yet, my mind wanders to a daily to-do list. But as I discover more and more verses I realize how an important a part of individual and corporate worship praise should be.
Time to praise more and type less.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
June 12, 2013
Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
iPhones, iPads, tablets, mp3 players, Google Glass--all designed to allow the user to never be without connectivity, information, music or Angry Birds. Campfires are a time to catch up on social media. Walks are an opportunity to listen to the newest release from a favorite band. Watching the sunset can be accompanied by the on-line edition of the Wall Street Journal.
With little effort a person can find himself surrounded by man-made sensory input 100% of the day. Music, phone calls, texts messages all bombard the connected person.
David writes in Psalm 19 that the "heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." But can we hear this naturalistic declaration of God's glory? If Bluetooth and earbuds are an extension of our anatomy, how much of God's glory are we missing?
The newly hatched robin chirping drowned out by an mp3 player. The rainbow missed because of the text message that simply cannot wait. The 30,000' tall cloud formation ignored in favor of the latest viral YouTube video.
God will speak through nature, if we will "be still and know that (He) is God." Psalm 46:10 The next time you take a walk, leave the earbuds at home. Turn off the car radio, put the phone in the glovebox on the next drive home. Look and listen for God in the skies, clouds, trees and pastures. His creation will declare His glory, but we have to disconnect long enough to see and hear.
iPhones, iPads, tablets, mp3 players, Google Glass--all designed to allow the user to never be without connectivity, information, music or Angry Birds. Campfires are a time to catch up on social media. Walks are an opportunity to listen to the newest release from a favorite band. Watching the sunset can be accompanied by the on-line edition of the Wall Street Journal.
With little effort a person can find himself surrounded by man-made sensory input 100% of the day. Music, phone calls, texts messages all bombard the connected person.
David writes in Psalm 19 that the "heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." But can we hear this naturalistic declaration of God's glory? If Bluetooth and earbuds are an extension of our anatomy, how much of God's glory are we missing?
The newly hatched robin chirping drowned out by an mp3 player. The rainbow missed because of the text message that simply cannot wait. The 30,000' tall cloud formation ignored in favor of the latest viral YouTube video.
God will speak through nature, if we will "be still and know that (He) is God." Psalm 46:10 The next time you take a walk, leave the earbuds at home. Turn off the car radio, put the phone in the glovebox on the next drive home. Look and listen for God in the skies, clouds, trees and pastures. His creation will declare His glory, but we have to disconnect long enough to see and hear.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
June 8, 2013
John 13:12-17 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
I wonder if the inverse of verse 17 would also be true. Now that you know these things, you will NOT be blessed if you do NOT do them.
Hmmm. . .
- Well done is better than well said. --Ben Franklin
- The shortest answer is doing. --Lord Herbert
- Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not words. Trust movement. --Alfred Adler
- Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned. --Peter Marshall
- Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold--but so does a hard-boiled egg. --Author Unknown
A lot has been written, studied and preached around the episode where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Much of that discussion, rightly so, focuses on Jesus' humility and the example he set for the Christian church.
But I don't recall hearing a lot of discussion around verse 17. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Knowing is not doing. If we want the blessings of God in our lives, we must put Christian teachings and principles into action.
James writes, "22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James 1:22-14
I wonder if the inverse of verse 17 would also be true. Now that you know these things, you will NOT be blessed if you do NOT do them.
Hmmm. . .
Thursday, June 6, 2013
June 6, 2013
Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death--
even on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death--
even on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
June 5, 2013
Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
On the surface, this admonition from Paul seems so simple, so beautiful. I agree that if put into practice by more people, our world would be a much better place. However, these verses from Philippians pose a spiritual challenge.
Paul writes, "being like-minded. . .and of one mind". If this were the case would we need over 40 Christian denominations? Would a church vote ever be less than unanamious? Is disagreement within the church body ever a positive thing?
"Not looking to our own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others." It is a challenge to know when to draw that line of "personal time" vs. "others' time". If taken literally, a Christian could spend every waking hour involved in a ministry of some sort- hospital visits, choir practice, preparing Bible study lessons, volunteering at VBS, on and on and on. A person has to be especially watchful of what I call service creep.
"Oh sure, I can help with crafts at VBS." "Yeah, I would be glad to be on the teaching rotation for 3rd graders." "Organize the youth blanket drive, I guess so." "Help with the youth choir, uh, I can't sing, but I can probably help out." All of a sudden, a simple one-week job to help make pipe-cleaner/cardboard Sea of Galiee fishing boats has turned to several year-long committments.
Spiritual discerment is so important when entering into Christian service. It is so easy to get on the treadmill of volunteerism. Saying, "No" to a good cause is difficult, but a ragged, tired, harried Christian is not very effective. Time has to be left for fun, family and rejuvenation.
Allow the Holy Spirit to direct you to the ministries you are supposed to support, then ask that same Holy Spirit to give you the strength and kind words to decline additional service opportunites that come your way.
But never become neglent in your prayers for service leadership from the Holy Spirit. You might be one of the 30-year-never-missed-a-class Sunday School teachers, or the Holy Spirit may choose to use you in many ministries over the years. Be open to His leading.
On the surface, this admonition from Paul seems so simple, so beautiful. I agree that if put into practice by more people, our world would be a much better place. However, these verses from Philippians pose a spiritual challenge.
Paul writes, "being like-minded. . .and of one mind". If this were the case would we need over 40 Christian denominations? Would a church vote ever be less than unanamious? Is disagreement within the church body ever a positive thing?
"Not looking to our own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others." It is a challenge to know when to draw that line of "personal time" vs. "others' time". If taken literally, a Christian could spend every waking hour involved in a ministry of some sort- hospital visits, choir practice, preparing Bible study lessons, volunteering at VBS, on and on and on. A person has to be especially watchful of what I call service creep.
"Oh sure, I can help with crafts at VBS." "Yeah, I would be glad to be on the teaching rotation for 3rd graders." "Organize the youth blanket drive, I guess so." "Help with the youth choir, uh, I can't sing, but I can probably help out." All of a sudden, a simple one-week job to help make pipe-cleaner/cardboard Sea of Galiee fishing boats has turned to several year-long committments.
Spiritual discerment is so important when entering into Christian service. It is so easy to get on the treadmill of volunteerism. Saying, "No" to a good cause is difficult, but a ragged, tired, harried Christian is not very effective. Time has to be left for fun, family and rejuvenation.
Allow the Holy Spirit to direct you to the ministries you are supposed to support, then ask that same Holy Spirit to give you the strength and kind words to decline additional service opportunites that come your way.
But never become neglent in your prayers for service leadership from the Holy Spirit. You might be one of the 30-year-never-missed-a-class Sunday School teachers, or the Holy Spirit may choose to use you in many ministries over the years. Be open to His leading.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June 4, 2013
Numbers 12:9-15 The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.
10 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”
13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”
14 The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.
Today's reading spoke to me on a professional level. As a leader of a school, my actions/attitudes can help move Rountree forward or cause it to become stagnant.
Miriam and Aaron were not the official leaders of the Israelites, but they were in positions of leadership and influence. In the first two verses of Numbers 12, Aaron and Miriam are speaking out against Moses, Israel's God-appointed leader. As a result of this grumbling, Miriam contracts leprosy and the entire nation is affected in that they cannot move forward until she is healed.
Aaron/Miriam's transgression was seemingly small. All they were doing was complaining about the leadership. But that attitude and dissension could have easily spread and compromised Moses' ability to lead.
Attitude can affect so much more than just the individual. Attitudes are contagious. Positivity can elevate. Negativity can dishearten.
As a leader it is even more important that my attitude remain optimistic, upbeat and positive. Grumbling and complaining accomplish little and can result in a leporsy that can spread throughout an organization.
On a side note: I find it interesting that only Miriam was struck with leprosy. Why not Aaron also? Hmmm. . .
Today's reading spoke to me on a professional level. As a leader of a school, my actions/attitudes can help move Rountree forward or cause it to become stagnant.
Miriam and Aaron were not the official leaders of the Israelites, but they were in positions of leadership and influence. In the first two verses of Numbers 12, Aaron and Miriam are speaking out against Moses, Israel's God-appointed leader. As a result of this grumbling, Miriam contracts leprosy and the entire nation is affected in that they cannot move forward until she is healed.
Aaron/Miriam's transgression was seemingly small. All they were doing was complaining about the leadership. But that attitude and dissension could have easily spread and compromised Moses' ability to lead.
Attitude can affect so much more than just the individual. Attitudes are contagious. Positivity can elevate. Negativity can dishearten.
As a leader it is even more important that my attitude remain optimistic, upbeat and positive. Grumbling and complaining accomplish little and can result in a leporsy that can spread throughout an organization.
On a side note: I find it interesting that only Miriam was struck with leprosy. Why not Aaron also? Hmmm. . .
Monday, June 3, 2013
June 3, 2013
Numbers 12:1-8 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.
3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
4 At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the tent of meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them went out. 5 Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you,
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
The small group lessons for today and tomorrow focus on supporting the leadership (in this case Moses) of a church. Couldn't come at a more appropriate time in the life of Ridgecrest.
Today's reading discussses Moses' humility, with a focus on verse three (3). While verse specificially addresses the humility of Moses, it should be noted that most theologians think that Moses wrote the book of Numbers. If this is the case it would be Moses writing about himself how humble he was. It is our hope that human bias did not creep into any of the Biblical writings, but it does give pause for cause.
What struck me most about this passage from Numbers was the fact that Moses did not defend himself against the accusations brought by his brother and sister. Moses allowed God to defend his actions and honor. So many times in life when a false (or mostly false) accusation has been leveled against a person, he or she is quick to go on the defensive. This can play itself out in the press, the breakroom or the living room.
Here we see Moses modeling how Christ faced his accusers centuries later prior to the crufixation. (Mark 15:3-5) Too often we are quick to snap back when falsely accused. We send a hasty email to justify or explain. If our actions are in accordance with God's will for our lives, then more often than not any defense we try to offer up will only worsen the situation.
Let God defend our honor. Let God justify our actions. Our first responsibility is to God. More often than not we won't a person's mind or attitude. Be obedient to God and allow Him to take care of the outcome.
I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
7But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the Lord.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
The small group lessons for today and tomorrow focus on supporting the leadership (in this case Moses) of a church. Couldn't come at a more appropriate time in the life of Ridgecrest.
Today's reading discussses Moses' humility, with a focus on verse three (3). While verse specificially addresses the humility of Moses, it should be noted that most theologians think that Moses wrote the book of Numbers. If this is the case it would be Moses writing about himself how humble he was. It is our hope that human bias did not creep into any of the Biblical writings, but it does give pause for cause.
What struck me most about this passage from Numbers was the fact that Moses did not defend himself against the accusations brought by his brother and sister. Moses allowed God to defend his actions and honor. So many times in life when a false (or mostly false) accusation has been leveled against a person, he or she is quick to go on the defensive. This can play itself out in the press, the breakroom or the living room.
Here we see Moses modeling how Christ faced his accusers centuries later prior to the crufixation. (Mark 15:3-5) Too often we are quick to snap back when falsely accused. We send a hasty email to justify or explain. If our actions are in accordance with God's will for our lives, then more often than not any defense we try to offer up will only worsen the situation.
Let God defend our honor. Let God justify our actions. Our first responsibility is to God. More often than not we won't a person's mind or attitude. Be obedient to God and allow Him to take care of the outcome.
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