|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 23, 2023 6:12:14 GMT -8
God’s Purpose
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose to me.
PSALM 57:2 ESV
God in His providence has a personal purpose for each of His people. Our gracious God grants us wisdom into His ways. He wants us to experience His eternal aims for His glory. Paul affirmed the providential fulfillment of God’s purpose. “I always pray with joy… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:4,6). God began fulfilling His purpose for us when we placed our faith in Jesus. This was our contract with Christ that placed the responsibility of fulfilling His purpose at the feet of our heavenly Father. Our Lord will finish everything He has begun since we first believed in Him. Whatever the Lord takes in hand, He will accomplish. So we trust the Almighty with the fulfillment of His purpose for our lives.
Our role is to pray so we can know His ways and cooperate with Him. Prayer positions us to live out heaven’s purpose for our life. We cry out to the Most High because nothing and no one is any higher. He is at the top. He is the divine decision maker. He is our Maker. There is no one else we can ask to show us the purpose for our lives—only the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not dumb. We pray because we believe there is a better way than we can know through our own very limited wisdom. We can get by with the wisdom of the world, but we can thrive with the wisdom of Almighty God. We cry out to Christ because He has adopted us. We define our purpose by our heavenly Father’s purpose for us. Prayer pulls out His purpose front and center.
Prayer is proof of our trust in God. When we send our prayers to heaven, God sends help from heaven. Unless we pray, our trust will fail us. Trust becomes trivial unless persistent prayer backs it up. Prayer brings trust into the reality of God’s promises and purpose for our life. Prayer is potent because it aligns us with the purposes of Almighty God. Once we understand our own personal purpose, we can rest assured God will follow through and fulfill it on our behalf.
Put pen to paper and prayerfully define your God-given purpose. Use this definition as a filter for decision making. This becomes your accountability to God and others to say no. Lean into the Lord, asking Him to lead you in His purpose for your life. Once you have established His purpose for you, leverage that for others. Use the strength of your position to help others discover their God-given purpose. Have them list their gifts, skills, passions, and experiences. Pray with them about how God wants to maximize their effectiveness for Christ. Assure them that their heavenly Father will fulfill His purpose for them, as He did with His own Son at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5 NASB).
Be patient as God implements His purpose for your life. Remember that you are living His purpose now. No season of life is insignificant in the Lord’s eyes. Don’t wish away where you are today. By faith, you can be sure that Christ is currently fulfilling your purpose. Make sure your goals are God-given and then trust Him with their fulfillment. Be prayerful and patient as God performs His purpose in you!
Heavenly Father, help me to prayerfully align my purpose with Yours. Make my ways Your ways.
Related Readings
Psalm 138:8; Isaiah 55:9; Romans 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 24, 2023 4:38:17 GMT -8
Mission Accomplished
For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.
JOSHUA 22:3
What is your personal mission? Your professional mission? Are they clearly defined, and do they align? Your mission is your purpose in life; it is why you get up in the morning. Is yours compelling and Christ-centered? Your mission flows from your heart, mind, and soul. It is who God made you to be and what He wants you to do. Are you on your mission from God? A purposeful life produces lasting results blessed by the Lord.
Your mission keeps you honest and accountable. It is what God uses to measure the effectiveness of your life. He has created you for a specific purpose with a specific plan. You can rest assured that your mission involves loving Him and loving others, as these are His two greatest commandments. “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Luke 10:27). Love lingers long on behalf of the Lord.
A clear sense of your mission can be a time-saving filter for decision making. It gives you permission to say no to many things and yes to a few things. Your mission is your friend, your motivator, and your protector. Embrace it and let it empower you. Then live your life intentionally rather than drifting and missing God’s best.
How can you discover and live out God’s mission for your life and work? Start with God. How has He gifted you? What are your passions, and what do you do well? Will the mission you are considering be pleasing and acceptable to God and to those who care about you the most? What are your roles in life? You may be a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a parent, a friend, a leader, a husband, or a wife. Consider the influence of your life’s roles and weave those into your purpose.
Your personal mission and professional mission should be aligned. For example, if your personal mission is to be family friendly and your professional responsibilities require you to travel extensively, you may need to reevaluate. If your career is currently demanding an inordinate amount of time, make sure your wife and children understand this is temporary so they can support your efforts.
Use your mission to monitor your activities—are they a reflection of who you really are? Intentionally establish your identity according to God’s definition. Consider what He would have you do at this stage of life, for your mission can evolve over time. Write it down, update it whenever necessary, and keep it in front of you. Then one day, you can say, “Mission accomplished,” just as Jesus did: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).
Note: My personal mission is to glorify God by being a faithful husband, available father, loyal friend, and loving leader. My professional mission is to love the Lord and love people through devotional writing that applies the unchanging truth of God’s Word to a changing world.
What is God’s purpose for my personal and professional life? Are they aligned? Am I “on purpose” for God?
Related Readings
Exodus 9:16; Psalm 57:2 (ESV); 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Revelation 17:17
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 25, 2023 7:56:41 GMT -8
Monetize Your Mission
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
LUKE 16:8-9
Creating an economic structure around passion and purpose can be a prayerful and godly goal. It could mean converting informal, free advice into a formalized fee for coaching, consulting, or counseling. It may mean engaging a hobby of painting, writing, or singing and moving it into the market as a valued product. God gives us gifts and skills so we can earn a living. There are times to give away time and expertise, and there are times to monetize our mission.
Making money is not our motivation, but it is a by-product of determining what wakes us up in the morning and making that valuable for others. Why waste our lives just working for a paycheck when we could be creatively channeling our energies and experiences into an economic endeavor? Christ commends His servants who innovate new ways to make friends and influence people. Indeed, we are called to be creative for Christ’s sake.
“ ‘I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest’ ” (Matthew 25:25-27).
You are wise to work in your area of expertise, but avoid ruts that lead to complacency. Pray about how the Lord wants you to steward the relationships, opportunities, and gifts He has given you. Perhaps a small group of friends will pray with you and even invest some seed money to help you monetize God’s mission for your life. Truly, compared to eternity, life is a blink of an eye, so don’t hesitate on His direction.
Servants of Jesus need not be paralyzed by fear. Instead, by faith, follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings in your heart. Don’t talk yourself out of following a promising new course for your career simply because it’s unconventional. The world will watch with admiration a shrewd servant of the Lord who, with an eye on eternity, invests in people. Your life is attractive when you live out your mission with passion and productivity. Trust God to give you the wisdom to make a living by following His call.
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
Lord, how can I monetize my mission for the sake of Your kingdom?
Related Readings
Proverbs 22:29; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 26, 2023 6:54:21 GMT -8
Business as Mission
Paul went to see [Priscilla and Aquila], and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
ACTS 18:2-4
Business is an opportunity to be an excellent example of a Jesus follower. Use your professional platform to perform good deeds and exhibit integrity in business interactions. Your kingdom mission and your role in business can work together as you model actions that speak louder than words. When the quality of your work exceeds industry standards, people begin to ask why.
A company that acknowledges Christ as the owner is positioned for God’s favor. Do the values of your company mirror the heart of Jesus? Do you and your coworkers embrace honesty, humility, and hard work as everyday virtues to live out? Are team members quick to serve, eager to find solutions, and careful to give positive feedback? If our work culture reflects the character of Christ, we will attract team members who can take the company to the next level. Great people are not motivated by money alone, but by a mission much greater than themselves. Greatness comes to a company with a greater purpose.
“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
Is your real mission just to make money, or is it to transform lives? Does your team go the second mile for customers, or are clients merely means to a financial end? An enterprise that glorifies God with outstanding service and superior products will produce fruit that remains. Become better, and you will become bigger for the right reasons. Your work done well is a testament to God’s grace, faithfulness, and favor.
Furthermore, a leader who submits to the Lord does not lord it over other team members. A humble leader leads and manages from a heart of appreciation and accountability, not as an intimidating, autocratic ruler. Even supervisors or employees who don’t believe in Jesus can embrace His ethics. When we create a culture friendly to faith, we grow a team of people who have faith in each other.
Therefore, intentionally integrate scriptural principles into your life and work. Use your business or ministry to make life better for people and people better for life. Be bold to tastefully and professionally pray for people. Give team members time off to invest in their marriages and travel on mission trips. Grow leaders who will educate, train, and inspire their teams. Dedicate your company to Christ, and He will determine your steps for success.
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
Heavenly Father, I dedicate this company to You for Your purposes.
Related Readings
Exodus 32:16; Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM for Men: A 90-Day Devotional (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2016).
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 27, 2023 5:44:23 GMT -8
Spiritual Leadership
If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
JOSHUA 24:15
What does it mean to be the spiritual leader of my home? Do I have to reach a certain level of spiritual maturity before I qualify? What if my wife is more spiritual than I am? Shouldn’t she be the spiritual leader?
Spiritual leadership is determined by position, not knowledge. God places a man in the role of spiritual leader to lead his wife and children in faith. Our wives and children may know more of the Bible, but the Lord still holds us responsible for their spiritual well-being. So as husbands and fathers, we have to ask ourselves, “What am I doing to lead my family spiritually?” This assignment from Almighty God forces us into faith-based behavior. We want to model daily time in Bible reading and prayer. Spiritual leaders show the way in knowing God.
“The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household” (Acts 16:34).
Spiritual leadership does not require a graduate degree in theology, but it does require some degree of planning and preparation. A spiritual leader creates a prayerful plan of intentional action that exposes his family to faith-building opportunities. Spend time looking for houses of worship that meet the needs of your wife and children, much as you would seek out a home or school that meets their needs. Spiritual leadership seeks out a church.
“Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool” (Psalm 132:7).
Men who make it a big deal to lead their family spiritually make the most difference at home and in the community. Your investment in family Bible study, your example of faith under fire, and your Christ-like character are living testaments to the truth of God. Talk about the Lord when you linger in traffic with your children, pray with them when they are fearful and upset, hold your wife’s hand and listen to her heart, sign up for the next marriage retreat, and serve others unselfishly. You can’t control the culture, but you and your house can serve the Lord. Spiritual leaders lead their family to love God.
“The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:23-24).
How can I take responsibility to lead my family spiritually? How can I leave a legacy of serving the Lord?
Related Readings
2 Samuel 12:20; Psalm 100:4; Acts 18:7; 2 Timothy 1:16
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Feb 28, 2023 5:06:30 GMT -8
Eternally Motivated
[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
HEBREWS 11:26
Eternal rewards are based on a disciple’s effort on earth. Believers who ignore their spiritual opportunities and obligations will miss out on their heavenly Father’s affirmation and remuneration. But sober saints who take seriously their Savior’s expectations will enter into the joy of their Master. Christ rewards our obedience to Him.
Rewards in heaven are meant to provide godly motivation. Yes, our first response is to serve Jesus out of love and our overflowing gratitude for His goodness and grace. And it is wise to fear the Lord and allow our holy awe of the Almighty to be foundational for our life of faith and works. But there is an end in mind. Jesus wants His children to be devoted and compelled by anticipating His generous gifts.
“The Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done” (Matthew 16:27).
It is a process of renewing your mind with an eternal decision-making filter that facilitates biblical thinking and doing. Ask the Lord how He wants you to invest your life in others. How does God want you to use your experience, your assets, your time, your money, and your influence for His purposes? In other words, how can you make eternal investments on earth that bear fruit for God’s glory?
What you do does not get you to heaven—this comes only by faith in Christ and God’s amazing grace. But what you do after becoming a follower of Jesus does determine the quality of your eternal experience. The persecuted and martyred in this life have a great reward waiting in the next life. Those who initiate resources and influence on behalf of the poor and needy bring great satisfaction to Jesus, which He expresses in bountiful blessings. Indeed, He rewards all those who diligently seek Him by faith.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Love God, and your reward will be great. Be a faithful witness who plants or waters the gospel of Jesus Christ, and you will be rewarded by spending forever with eternally grateful souls. Send your investments ahead to heaven by aggressively giving them away on earth. Reject rewards from the culture so you are positioned to receive Christ’s rewards. Remain faithful to God’s call and look forward to His reward.
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12).
How can I live my life in a way that honors the Lord and looks forward to His rewards?
Related Readings
Amos 6:1-7; Isaiah 54:2; 2 Peter 1:3; Revelation 2:7-10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 1, 2023 5:30:14 GMT -8
Divided Against Itself
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”
MATTHEW 12:25
Humility unites; pride divides. Patience pauses; anger accelerates. When families, cities, or nations are divided, an implosion takes place, and their significance is reduced to rubble. Ongoing battles in the home build walls, ruining communication and intimacy, teamwork and trust, peace and contentment. Indeed, the devil uses division as one of his primary weapons because it leads to worry and fear. If he can divide husbands and wives, he has conquered them. Division defeats marital maturity and replaces it with childish tirades.
When husbands and wives think the other has become the enemy, the enemy has won. When people are divided, they are deceived into thinking they cannot work together, so they fight it out. The entire process is irrational and irresponsible.
Anger drives division. There is an obsession to have one’s way regardless of the shattered outcome. Things are done just to spite the other. Patience is thrown to the wind and replaced with accusations and insults. Division is the fruit of pride. There is no room for compromise, much less death to self. It drives couples to unreasonable demands and proud pontifications. Division creates losers and lasting regrets. It’s a road that leads to a downward spiral of ineffective living.
Therefore, unite around humility. Humility relates from a position of brokenness. It appeals to the common sense of Christ and the wisdom of God. Mutual submission to your Savior Jesus becomes the starting point of discussion. Divorce is off the table, and no position comes between the parties. This is how division is defeated. There is a determination by everyone involved to depend on God and godly counselors for instruction and accountability. Emotional hostage-taking is prohibited, and manipulative moves are unacceptable. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) is the baseline for discussions. Unity is fostered in respectful and responsible discussions. This is the place where patient and cool heads prevail.
Lastly, identify the true enemies—pride, fear, selfishness, and the demons of hell. Make a frontal assault of faith on the adversary instead of backstabbing each other with betrayal. Unity flourishes in a foray into forgiveness. “Forgive first and discuss second” is a good rule of thumb. Unity requires thinking the best of each other. Past failures are not held over the other as a hammer of guilt, and current hurts are not glibly dismissed. Unity makes room for healing to take place.
People who pray together unite over time. Unity is a beautiful outcome for couples who pray together. As your heads hit the pillow each night, pray for one another before you slip into sleep. Let nighttime prayers calm you before you doze off and dream. United, your marriage and ministry will stand; divided, it will fall. Therefore, unite around God and His Word. In Christ, you will stand (Philippians 1:27). Stand strong with your Savior. He forgives. He saves. He unifies.
Heavenly Father, grow in me a humble heart that unites, not a prideful heart that divides.
Related Readings
Genesis 2:24; Romans 6:5; 12:5; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 6:17; Galatians 5:22
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 2, 2023 7:00:10 GMT -8
Built to Last
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.
JEREMIAH 22:13
Anything worth doing is worth doing well. If you are building a family, frame it well. Furnish it with faith, love, hope, and the fear of God. If you are building a business or ministry, grow it relationally and systematically. Pour a foundation of honesty, trust, and excellent work. If you are building a life, develop it with discipline, forgiveness, humility, grace, service, and obedience to God. Spend your time building people, processes, projects, and enterprises that are sustainable and eternal. Focus on endeavors that contribute to and facilitate faith-based initiatives. Build people who will improve on your accomplishments. Above all else, dedicate your building to God.
You are positioned as a leader, so lead well. You have the stewardship to mentor others, so pour yourself into those who will become mentors themselves. Build spiritual disciplines into faithful followers of Christ. Do not neglect developing disciples. Disciples of Jesus need a firm foundation of faith.
It is imperative to model for them mastery of the Master’s words. Let the Word of God flow freely from you. Speak it and live it on behalf of your Savior. You build lives that last when you ground them in the Bible. The legacy you leave is predicated on the people in whom you invest.
Therefore, keep your children “top of mind.” Make them your number one building project. Begin to tell them about Jesus when they are still tiny. As they grow, instill the principles of Scripture into their hearts and minds. Relate to them stories of God’s faithfulness in your life through the years. Confess how your heavenly Father forgave you at your points of failure. This authentic home environment grows small children into giants of the faith. Build into your children now, and they will leave a legacy of faith later. Build for generations to come.
In addition, build your ministry or business into one that lasts, assuming it is the Lord’s will for it to last. A business or a ministry that is built to last is carefully constructed with the bricks of vision, mission, and values. They are embedded in the foundation of the enterprise. Strategy, objectives, goals, and metrics all flow from the same source. Where there is vision, there is a compelling cause that motivates everyone. Where there is mission, there is clarity of purpose. Where there are values, there are agreed-upon behaviors that define the culture.
If your vision is too small, only little people will venture forth. If your vision is so massive that it becomes unrealistic, no one will take you seriously. However, if your vision is prayerfully aligned with God’s will, He will accomplish great things through you and others. Cast a God-sized vision that will last beyond your lifetime. Keep your team focused on mission-critical initiatives. These are building blocks for the business. Wise leaders learn to run with what works and dismiss what doesn’t. Tell stories that illustrate your mission. This keeps everyone focused on the reality of why they show up every day. Don’t get so busy that you forget to review God’s building plans. What He builds lasts as long as He wills.
Heavenly Father, give me the patience and perseverance to build on Your firm foundation.
Related Readings
Nehemiah 3:1; Psalm 48:13; 1 Corinthians 3:10-12; Ephesians 2:20
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 3, 2023 6:53:20 GMT -8
Teach Children Wisdom
Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him, but he is a child without wisdom; when the time arrives, he doesn’t have the sense to come out of the womb.
HOSEA 13:13
Children need to be taught wisdom. Yes, sometimes it’s hard for them to grasp its meaning because of their age and stage in life. Wisdom comes through understanding and applying God’s Word to life experience. Many individuals are limited in their perspective of both, so shared wisdom guides them away from unwise decision making. Wisdom is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give your child, so make it inviting and practical.
Tell stories of individuals who made wise decisions and the positive effects that followed. Then contrast these uplifting illustrations with stories of those who chose an unwise path and suffered harm as a result. Stories stir the heart and illuminate the mind. We owe it to our offspring to engage them in conversations about real-life people. Otherwise, they remain oblivious, living in a bubble of unrealistic expectations.
They grow in wisdom by spreading their wings and making decisions while they still live under your roof. Start them out young by helping them make money decisions. Show them the pattern of “share, save, and spend” from your own financial management. Lead them to do the same. Watch them smile as they experience the joy of generosity. Be proud as their discipline and patience grow. They will be able to save for something they want and purchase their prize with cash. Be an example of smart spending, and you may become a recipient of its fruit as your child learns how to be a savvy shopper. Financial wisdom is a practical gift. Use its principles to train your child.
Good judgment in choosing friends is another facet of teaching your child the ways of wisdom. Make sure children understand the propensity to become like the people they hang out with. Teach them to choose friends whose faith is growing and robust, friends who lift up instead of those who pull down. Help your kids to avoid flirting with friendships that dilute growth with God. Discuss why they need to avoid friendships that become a wedge between child and parent. Wisdom does not settle for the shallow acceptance of just any friend. Wisdom sets a high standard for friendship. Challenge your children to pray for friends who complement their faith, who move them closer to their heavenly Father. Wise friends rub off on your children in wise ways.
Talk regularly with your children about the wisdom of God. He gives wisdom. Read with them from the Bible and discuss the meanings of particular verses. Make the discussion of Scripture a part of your everyday life. Take your Bible to church. Underline the phrases that leap from the page into your heart and mind. Then discuss their application to your life over lunch. Invite your child to hold you accountable to the truth God is teaching you. You cannot improve on the wisdom of the Lord. God’s wisdom will follow them the rest of their lives. It will be with them when you are absent. You can be at peace when you have a child who is wise in the ways of God.
You are wise when your goal is to grow a wise child. Wise children become wise adults.
Heavenly Father, teach me wisdom so I can train and teach my children Your wisdom.
Related Readings
Job 12:13; Proverbs 2:6; 13:20; Ephesians 6:4; James 1:5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 4, 2023 5:39:21 GMT -8
Leadership Void
The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
ZECHARIAH 10:2
People wander aimlessly without leadership. They would much rather be led by loving leaders who listen to the Lord and who listen to them. Look for leaders like Solomon, who asked the Lord to teach him how to lead: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10). This is God’s design, for He has wired people to resist wandering and to want leadership. You are a follower of Jesus Christ and a follower of those He has placed in authority over you.
If someone in a position of leadership does not lead, there is doubt and confusion. People wander around, disconnected and disinterested, because they are unsure of where to turn. But eventually, some ambitious soul will fill the empty shoes of leadership even if he or she is unable to lead effectively. A silent coup takes place when responsible leaders abdicate their leadership. When someone without a calling to lead and with an untested character backs into leadership by default, the result can be worse than no leadership at all.
People can easily lose perspective and settle for less than the best. Hungry for a leader, they can use poor judgment. This happened to the people who begged Samuel for a king but later regretted their request (1 Samuel 8:4-21).
Therefore, do not settle for anything less than God’s choice. Be prayerful and patient; God will send His called leader in His timing. It is better to have an open position of leadership than to fill it with the wrong person. Extracting a lackluster leader can drain resources and emotions. Wait and work toward God’s best. Whether you are searching for a pastor, CEO, headmaster, administrative assistant, COO, or wife, continue to trust God for His choice. Don’t just fill a slot for the sake of expedience. Make vitally sure their chemistry, character, and competence align with your culture.
If you are already in a position of leadership, “lead, follow, or get out of the way.” People expect you to lead, and they are confused if you don’t. What are you waiting for? You will not lead perfectly, but press on. Faithful followers are not looking for perfect leaders. They are praying for honest leaders whose passion is fueled by the Holy Spirit.
Leaders who love God and people will never lack a following. Let go of your fear of leading, release control, and have faith that God has placed you in this position of leadership. He equips those He calls to carry out His assignment. You may lead here for just a season, so lead with abandon on behalf of the Almighty. Seek the Lord as the leader of your life, family, work, and ministry. Follow hard after God so you can effectively lead people.
Ask Him for wisdom and stay focused on the mission. Get your marching orders from on high and then execute them down below. Effective leaders love to lead, and their Holy Spirit–infused energy engages others in shared goals. Perhaps the people are looking to you for leadership. Therefore, on behalf of your Lord and by His grace, follow Him and lead them.
Heavenly Father, lead me by Your Spirit to love and lead according to Your will.
Related Readings
Psalm 78:72; Proverbs 11:14; Matthew 20:26; Luke 6:31; John 3:30; Philippians 2:3
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 5, 2023 5:22:11 GMT -8
The “D” Word
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
MARK 10:9
Divorce is not an option for committed followers of Christ; it is omitted from their vocabulary. Yes, in their human frailty, they may want an out. People don’t enjoy being uncomfortable or inconvenienced, but God uses marital challenges to purge His people. Relational reconciliation in marriage is the proving ground for all other relationships. Marriage mandates focused fidelity to God and faith in Him, for it is not a relationship of convenience, but of conviction. You cannot give up on your wife, except in the case of adultery. And even in unfaithfulness, her repentance and your forgiveness can heal the severed trust and intimacy.
Marriage is a reflection of your Master. Whatever God does is not to be taken lightly, and the Lord is in the marriage-making business. He joins a man and a woman together in marriage as a mirror of their relationship with Him. It is final and forever.
There is no need to run and hide when you let down your spouse. When the bubble of marital bliss bursts, be kind, patient, and forgiving. Begin by allowing Christ to cleanse your heart because left on its own, the heart becomes selfish, proud, immature, and demanding (Matthew 15:19-20). Therefore, put self into a deep sleep and hypnotize it with heaven’s expectations. Jesus came into your life so you could be a servant to all, especially your wife. He gives you peace so you can be a justice of the peace in your home under the power of the Holy Spirit. A Christ-centered marriage creates peace and quiet, so submit to the Lord together and experience Him who produces a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7-9).
God’s marriage design prevents destruction by divorce. It creates environments where you encourage and build up each other. Children feel the safest in families where divorce is not an option. The Lord hates divorce (Malachi 2:16 NASB) because He knows it results in a lifetime of disappointment and disillusionment. One way to decrease divorce is to exalt marriage. Make marriage mean something by seeing it as a mandate from your Master. Accept marriage as a privilege and a responsibility. Marriage is a not a man’s free pass for sex or a woman’s gateway for security.
Marriage is a divine appointment for a lifetime; it is not a temporary assignment until things get difficult. To marry is to enlist to serve your wife on behalf of your Savior. Marriage is designed to draw you closer to God in dependence and trust; it is a facilitator of faith. God uses marriage to reflect His glory and His unconditional love and forgiveness.
If divorce is your secret trump card when things get rough, you are destined to ruin your marriage with a self-fulfilling strategy. Therefore, agree together to get rid of divorce talk forever and become broken before the Lord. See your marriage as sealed by the Holy Spirit, never to be separated by man. Your marriage is not a mistake, so persevere in hope. You were joined together in marriage by Jesus and for Jesus. And your marriage is not to be destroyed by man’s decree of divorce.
Heavenly Father, just as You covenant with me in our relationship, I covenant with my wife in marriage.
Related Readings
Psalm 105:8-11; Matthew 19:3-9; Philippians 4:7-9; Hebrews 6:17-18
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 6, 2023 6:47:41 GMT -8
Motivated by Money
Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
MARK 11:15-16
A motivation to be rich is not helpful. In fact, it can make you downright miserable. It frustrates you and those around you because money-motivated people are never content. They have an insatiable desire for the next deal or the next opportunity to make more. An all-consuming desire for money leads you to compromise common sense and character. Ironically, your family suffers the most even though your desire is for them to enjoy the benefits money may produce. Some money-motivated individuals stoop so low as to use the Lord to line their pockets. Religion and church become means to create cash. This angers God, for He is moved by righteous indignation when His bride is prostituted for worldly purposes. The church is a conduit for Christ, not a clearinghouse for economic gain. It is a house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7).
God is greatly grieved when money becomes the driving force of any institution or individual. A church bound up in debt is destined for ineffectiveness. If the bride of Christ is preoccupied with paying the bills, the mission will be watered down or even ignored. Money-driven ministries miss the opportunity to trust God and wait on Him to provide in ways that exceed human capability. Businesses that are driven exclusively by bottom-line performance create an unhealthy company culture. People are willing to earn less at a company that has a much bigger vision than just making money. There is so much more to life and work than money (Matthew 6:25).
Money motivation is the antithesis of mission motivation. The latter has a greater purpose in mind. The focus is on excellent work accompanied by eternal expectations. The mission drives you to do more because a transcendent spark ignites your soul. When the mission creates a culture of care and collaboration, money becomes a result, not the reason to exist.
The mission gives you permission to say no. Enterprises and individuals are defined more by what they say no to than by what they say yes to. A well-focused team makes a habit of defending the mission. Disciplined decision making characterizes mission-driven people and organizations. Paul said, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:13-14).
Mission is the master of money, so focus on the mission of your Master Jesus, and you will be much more productive in the long run. Mission motivation keeps you trustworthy, effective, and blessed by God.
Heavenly Father, my love and affection are for You and not for money.
Related Readings
Psalm 49:17; Luke 16:10-14; 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 7, 2023 6:36:20 GMT -8
Overcome by Fear
Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
LUKE 8:37
Fear drives out faith, disconnecting us from Jesus. Jesus is a gentleman, so He does not tarry where He is not trusted. He does not remain where He is not wanted, and He does not negotiate to be needed. Faith is exhausted in the face of overwhelming fear. This is especially true when your chronic fear relates to money. Money, more than anything, can make you myopic, enticing you to focus on your need rather than your faith in God. You get so consumed by the current crisis that you forget your anchor in Almighty God. Your desire for money, or your fear of not having enough, may be killing you. However, a focus on money is a symptom of something else beneath the surface of your fears. Money is not the answer. Jesus is the dependable security you desire.
Do not dismiss prayer and patience just because you feel out of control. This is where you are tempted to behave like an atheist. You say the right things—you believe in God, He is in control, and you trust Him—but your behavior betrays your beliefs. You act like an unbeliever when your actions marginalize your Master. When the bottom falls out, let your faith in the Lord be your mainstay. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This is when you need Him the most, so be wise and ask gentle Jesus to remain with you when all hell breaks loose.
Satan loves to see you alone. He wants you to battle him in your own strength. He wins when Jesus is run off and fear drives your irrational actions. Fear keeps you looking over your shoulder in doubt. And all the while, your Savior is right beside you, waiting to be your calming force. Take the time to tarry in trust with the One who is totally trustworthy. Do not drive Him away in denial. Rise up from under your load of care and come to Christ. Look to Him for perspective and patience. Don’t panic. Exorcise your overwhelming fear by faith. Place it on the shelf of self-denial and surrender to your Savior.
Now is your opportunity to stand firmly and courageously in Christ. Do not run Him off, for He will stay only where He is wanted. Talk is easy, but your walk with Him matters most. He desires an authentic and teachable heart. He can create this in you by faith. So let these uncertain times embolden you and strengthen your beliefs. Go deeper with Jesus during desperate days. He is a gentleman waiting for your invitation to stay. When fear attacks, be comforted by Christ’s confidence and warm embrace.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1).
Be real with those around you. Some of them have traveled this road before you, so learn from them. Trust them as a resource, for fear is flattened by the faith of friends. Trust them and trust God. Fear flees in the face of faithfulness, so escort the fear of failure out the door. Above all else, be strengthened by faith’s reassurance and not weakened by the fear of financial loss.
Heavenly Father, teach me to fear nothing but You.
Related Readings
Genesis 15:1; Psalm 56:4-11; Daniel 10:12-19; Hebrews 11:23; 13:6
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 8, 2023 6:11:03 GMT -8
Saving the Best for Last
Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.
JOHN 2:10
Jesus sometimes saves the best for last. He delights in delivering the unexpected to the unsuspecting. He waits until there is opportunity to show up where the needs are rampant but the solutions are few. Then He meets the need unconventionally and boldly. Many times, this is His method because Christ is counterintuitive. He wants others to ask why.
Why did Jesus save the best for last? One reason the Lord saves the best for last is to honor the recipients. Those who persevere deserve the best. For example, in relationships, the fruit of long-term commitment produces the best experiences. Trust, contentment, and fulfillment all earn their right in relationships that resolve to remain true.
God blesses those who wait. “Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land” (Psalm 37:34 NASB). You experience the best God has to offer when you save yourself for marriage. Sex within the bond of marriage exceeds exponentially the counterfeit—premarital, hormonal-driven sex. When you act on impulse, you risk disease and a lifetime of disrespect and regret. Patience brings out the best, for trust in God fosters hope that there must be something better to look forward to in the future. It protects you from impatient impulses that can instantly implode.
Waiting for the best is difficult at times because it means depending on others to accomplish the goal. The outcome is out of your direct control. You have to trust that others can execute the project better than you can by yourself. Your sphere of influence will shrink if you try to do everything yourself. You will be limited by your time, energy, and intellect. Your capacity is a drop in the bucket compared to the resources of an aligned team. You need each other’s gifts and skills (Romans 12:4-5). Your best brings out the best in others. So be the best at what you do, and expect others to do their very best. Excellence attracts excellence, just as mediocrity attracts mediocrity. Be the best that you can be and see to it that others do the same.
Trust Jesus to bring out His best in people and circumstances under your influence. Let go and let the Lord run with the opportunity. He may surprise you with joy. The best is yet to come if you look to the Lord for His best outcomes. Your humble request of God will result in much more than you thought you were capable of, for Christ has no capacity issues. He is looking for those whom He can trust with His best. He wants those whose faithfulness to Him far exceeds their earthly ambitions. Do whatever He says and watch Him carry out His very best, because obedience leads to His best.
Believe the best is yet to come and don’t settle for less. Believe the best in others. Trust God for the very best. Expect the best and be your best. Pray and ask God for His best. Be patient, wait on Him, and remind yourself often that He saves the best for last.
Heavenly Father, grow my faith and patience to wait on Your very best.
Related Readings
Psalm 130:5-6; Proverbs 20:22; Isaiah 26:8; Lamentations 3:24-26; Jude 21
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
|
|
Post by Parker on Mar 9, 2023 5:09:40 GMT -8
Stubborn Pride
I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.
LEVITICUS 26:19
Stubborn pride creates hardened hearts. It is shortsighted and insecure in its aggressive attempts to control. Stubborn pride acts as if it has everything together and doesn’t need help from anyone—even God. People with this stiff attitude can be frustrating when you are attempting to work out conflicting issues. The demands of stubborn pride are unreasonable, and its perspective is skewed toward itself. Stubborn pride resists change and misses out on improvement for the sake of the project, the team, or the family. Everyone has to be careful of stubborn pride sneaking into his beliefs and behaviors.
Stubborn pride rejects authentic relational engagement, which requires confession and forgiveness. Stubborn pride will dig itself into a deeper hole of distant living rather than risk being found out. But discerning people recognize the charade people play when they are unable to admit their faults. Stubborn pride is seductive, but it melts under the heat of humility.
God has a way of wresting control away from stubborn pride. He will not stand by and allow stubborn pride to suffocate His servants. His passion is to break its spell and bring His children into relational reality. When you reject stubborn pride and live in humility, you fight fair together. You truly listen to the perspective of your wife or coworker without reacting defensively or judging too quickly. You are willing to change for the greater good and to please your Savior.
The Lord loves us too much to stand by while we struggle under the influence of stubborn pride. Like wild stallions with plenty of willpower and energy, we need to be broken and trained. Almighty God is our Master and trainer. He uses whatever means necessary to get our attention. His Holy Spirit is assigned to break our will and align our spirit with His. God is the One trying to get our attention. We may be mad at others, but our case is against Christ.
The Spirit’s conviction causes us to cringe at stubborn pride’s relational poison. Christ’s brokenness leads us to release control and trust Him. He breaks us of our need to control. He breaks us to be bold for Him. He breaks us and molds us into reasonable people who honor other people’s views. Do not negotiate with stubborn pride—break it under the hammer of humility and replace it with love, respect, and forgiveness.
“The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled
and the pride of men brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:11).
Heavenly Father, I humble myself under Your mighty hand and ask You to drive pride from my heart.
Related Readings
Exodus 10:3; Proverbs 11:2; 16:18; 18:12; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible for Men: A 90-Day Devotional
|
|
