2022-04-25
1 Samuel 18:9 NLT
We may never have an ‘official’ leadership role, but there are all kinds of opportunities to be role models for the people we interact with each day and the people who look up to us in some way, so it’s important that we try to show the qualities of a good leader.
One of the best tests of good leadership is how we respond to somebody else’s success. Do you rejoice, or secretly resent them? King Saul sent David out to fight Goliath, but when David succeeded and the Israelites began to congratulate him, Saul couldn’t handle it. ‘From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.’ David’s success made Saul feel insecure about himself. Insecurity can prevent us from being good role models and leaders.
That’s because insecure leaders tend to do these things: 1) They don’t provide security for others. To be a good leader, we must try to give our followers confidence in themselves. We should encourage them and help them grow, and it’s difficult to do that if we’re feeling insecure about ourselves.
2) They take more than they give. Insecure leaders look for validation, acknowledgement, and love from the people who look up to them, rather than instilling those things in others.
3) They limit people. Insecure leaders see others as potential competitors who might threaten their position, so they might try to make others doubt their own abilities to reduce the threat. In order to be good leaders and role models, we need to be secure in who we are – and that comes from God. ‘The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God’ (1 John 3:1 NCV). And He says to us, ‘You did not choose me; I chose you’ (John 15:16 NCV).
Dan 1-2; Matt 1:18-25; Ps 127; Pro 10:15
2022-04-24
Romans 6:16 NCV
Paul wrote, ‘The person you obey is your master. You can follow sin, which brings spiritual death, or you can obey God, which makes you right with him.’ When it comes to sin, the Bible draws a line and tells us not to cross it. That’s because if we cross it once, we’ll find it much easier to cross again. Paul talked about ‘the person you obey’, but we could also replace ‘person’ with ‘temptation’, or say ‘the thing you obey is your master.’
Whether our particular temptation is something like alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, or even something that seems less damaging, like spending a lot of time on social media or taking the car for short journey that we could have walked, we start out believing we’re in control of it, and end up realising it’s got us trapped. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is, ‘I can stop whenever I want to.’ But often the damage has already started.
Spiritually, we can lose our confidence before God. Personally, we can lose our sense of self-worth. Publicly, we can lose respect and influence with others. And if we’re not careful, even good things can hurt us.
A strong work ethic can lead to neglecting family and friends. Vegging out in front of the TV can slow our spiritual growth. Even too much caution and thoughtfulness – which are good qualities – can prevent us from stepping out in faith and fulfilling our God-given potential.
When God says no, He isn’t trying to make life difficult or boring; He’s protecting us. If something has the potential to trap you, don’t do it. But if you’re already feeling trapped by a temptation or habit, don’t lose hope. Turn to God and He’ll set you free.
Gen 6:9-8:4; Matt 24:37-51
2022-04-23
Isaiah 43:19 NCV
There are so many times in life when we need to let go of something we care about. We might have to leave a job we love. We could have been working on a project and now need to hand it over for someone else to take to the next level. Maybe we’ve been a mentor or advisor, but the person has reached the point where they don’t need us anymore. We might be teaching someone, but our knowledge has reached its limit and now they need to move on and learn from someone with greater skill. God might even tell us to let something go without us understanding why.
Letting go isn’t easy. It can make us feel unwanted or rejected, our pride can take a hit, or we might think we’re not good enough. Even if we’ve given up something we hate, it can leave a void in that makes us feel strangely empty. But there are things we can do to regain our joy and find reasons to celebrate.
We can: 1) Rejoice that we played a part in the development and growth of the person or project.
2) Be proud that we’ve made a difference.
3) Pray for the person, the project, those who were working with us, and those who are going to take things even further.
4) Trust God to place the person or project in the right hands.
5) Look forward to the next thing God has in mind for us. It can be helpful to remember these words: ‘Do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV). When we let go of one thing, God already has the next thing lined up.
1 Cor 15-16; Matt 1:1-17; Ps 103:13-22; Pro 10:14
2022-04-22
Philippians 4:4 NCV
Paul wrote, ‘Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.’ Why did Paul repeat himself? Because joy is the fuel we run on, and unless we maintain it, we can run out. That means we need to regularly check our ‘fuel gauge’ to make sure we’re not being drawn into negativity and doubt. Jesus is a joy giver, and when we stay connected to Him, we can experience His joy regardless of our circumstances. In John 15:11, He said, ‘I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy’ (NCV).
When we really think about it, we have so many reasons for joy – God has forgiven our sins, He guides and protects us, He loves us more than we could imagine, we have a place in heaven… and so many more. In prison, Paul had so much joy that his jailers were won to Christ and a church sprang up in Caesar’s household (see Philippians 4:22).
People are always more influenced by our attitude than our theology. When they see us rejoicing in hard times, they’ll start to wonder what our secret is and think, ‘Whatever that person has, I need it’; they’ll become more open and receptive to the truth. The happiness the world offers us is only a reaction to our circumstances, whereas the joy that comes from living for Jesus lifts us above our circumstances. So let’s focus on His joy, draw on His joy, and demonstrate His joy to the world today.
1 Cor 12-14; Luke 24:50-53; Ps 103:1-12; Pro 10:13
2022-04-21
John 11:26 MSG
At the graveside of His friend Lazarus, Jesus told his grieving sisters Mary and Martha two important things. First, He told them, ‘Your brother will rise and live again’ (John 11:23 NCV). And second, He said, ‘Everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?’ (v.26 MSG). Having an exemplary character, giving generously to charity, going to church, and so on, are all great things to do (and the right things to do), but it’s putting our trust in Christ that gives us the absolute assurance of resurrection and eternal life. Jesus conquered death and the grave for each one of us.
There might be people reading these words who have recently lost loved ones and are fighting tears of sorrow right now. Jesus understands our grief like no one else can. He’s touched by the feelings of our weaknesses and struggles (see Hebrews 4:15). There might be people reading who are frightened of all the unknowns of death. If that’s how you’re feeling, try putting your trust in Jesus and in these words: ‘There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am’ (John 14:2-3 NCV).
When we trust God, there’s no reason to fear what lies beyond death, because He’s already there, waiting to welcome us. Inexplicable, unending joy will be ours forever, thanks to Jesus, so we can exclaim with Paul, ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ (1 Corinthians 15:55 NLT).
1 Cor 10-11; Luke 24:45-49; Ps 130; Pro 10:12
2022-04-20
Proverbs 24:16 NIV
Have you ever seen a child learning to walk? Falling down is an important part of the process. Getting back up again is crucial to developing the child’s balance and muscles. Every horse rider will face a fall, usually when they least expect it, but they know it’s important to get back on the horse, readjust what they’re doing, and try again. It’s a learning experience. A boxer isn’t disqualified because they get knocked down; they’re disqualified because they don’t get back up. Even the most skilful boxers know they’ll go down at some point, so they learn the art of falling safely and getting up quickly. Children, riders, and boxers all learn this: it’s all about getting up again.
The Bible tells us that falling happens to righteous people and unrighteous people. Believers aren’t immune from falling. It’s getting up again that sets them apart: ‘Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up. But when trouble strikes the wicked, that’s the end of them’ (v.16 CEV). Unrighteous people stay down, but righteous people get up again.
In Scripture, some of God’s greatest servants fell into personal failure. Abram lied to Pharaoh about his wife, Sarai (see Genesis 12:11-17). Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s birth right (see Genesis 27:17-29). In anger, Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock (see Numbers 20:7-12). But instead of being disqualified, they ‘were all commended for their faith’ (Hebrews 11:39 NIV), because they acknowledged their sins and received God’s forgiveness.
In other words, they fell, but they got up again. And when we fall, we can get up again too. That’s the ‘faith’ part of our journey. Staying down is failure accepted – getting back up is faith activated.
1 Cor 7-9; Luke 24:36-44; Ps 127; Pro 10:11
