Showing posts with label #service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #service. Show all posts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

God's leadership Team

Have you ever wondered what kind of a man could be on Gods leadership team? Not in terms of riches or power or might but in terms of righteousness, because unreasonably and unconsciously, we expect that of God's leaders.
For the answer we looked at the great leaders in the Bible, and found shortcomings in many many of them.
Some Bible figures who had shortcomings include:
Moses: Moses had a tendency to get angry, and once killed an Egyptian
David: David was an adulterer and a murderer
Peter: Peter denied Christ on the night of his arrest
Abraham: Abraham lied about his wife, Sarah, and had a child with Hagar, instead of not trusting Gods promise.
Jacob: Jacob tricked his father into giving him Esau's birthright
Aaron: Aaron made an idol for Israel to worship
Paul: not only persecuted early Christians to the extant of death but his attitude to women in the church (among other things) was somewhat questionable. For example, the First letter to the Corinthians says, "Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says".
Joshua: Made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites without fully investigating the situation
Jacob: Was a cheater
Noah: Got drunk
Samson: Had problems with lust and anger
Rahab: Was a prostitute
The list goes on.
And then we realize that God does use people with flaws to accomplish great things, which can mean you and me as well. 
For example, God used Samuel to anoint David, who led the nation in spiritual reform.
Let us not, even for a moment think that God did not know these weaknesses.
The point is that every one of us, so called good or bad, has the potential to be used by God at some point in time. Yet we tend to judge someone in a leadership role and critisize them for their shortcomings. At the same time, we use our own shortcomings to run away from God's responsibilities.
But no one is too far gone for His grace and to be used by Him for His work. 
Therefore let us not absolve ourselves but be ready for His call, with our mind, eyes and ears open and waiting.












Thursday, September 12, 2024

The Shepherd's Song

In a small, quiet village nestled among rolling hills, lived a young shepherd named Elias. His days were filled with the gentle rhythm of tending his flock, the warmth of the sun on his face, and the comforting sound of sheep bells. Yet, beneath his simple life, Elias carried a deep longing for something more.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the fields, Elias sat on a hilltop, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the sky. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of wildflowers, and as he listened to the distant bleating of his sheep, a sense of peace washed over him.
In that moment, Elias heard a voice, soft and clear, like the whisper of a summer rain. "I am the Good Shepherd," the voice said. "I know my own and my own know me."
Startled, Elias looked around, but there was no one there. Yet, the voice continued, filling him with a sense of warmth and belonging. "I lay down my life for my sheep."
As Elias listened, he felt a profound connection to the voice. It was as if he had been searching for this moment all his life. The words echoed in his heart, filling him with a sense of purpose and meaning.
From that day forward, Elias's life took on a new dimension. He continued to tend his sheep, but now he did so with a deeper understanding of his role. He saw himself as a shepherd, not just for his flock, but for all those who were lost and in need.
As the years passed, Elias's story spread throughout the village and beyond. People came from far and wide to hear him speak of the Good Shepherd and the love that had transformed his life. And though he remained a simple shepherd at heart, his words carried a powerful message that touched the lives of many. (**Story by Gemini)
Milton wrote so truly - "They also serve who only stand and wait"
We all have a role in Christs world. Not everyone is a CEO, or a President. We all serve Christ in our own way, with our own abilities, even if they seem small.

This Week

Prophet for Hire

Numbers 22:7, 12, and 2 Peter 2:15 ​ "So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and...