HANDLING FAMILY PROBLEMS

"In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Genesis 12:3 NKJV

In order to bless all the families of the earth, Abraham had to start with his own family. Before a man could qualify for leadership in the New Testament church, they examined his home life (See 1Timothy 3:5). Their thinking was, "If he doesn't succeed there, don't enlarge his territory." But if you're going to enjoy God's blessing as a family you must learn to cope with difficulties. So:

(1) Try to remember that you're all on the same team. Don't take your frustrations out on your loved ones. Too often, home is where we go when we're tired of being "nice." (2) Before you speak, get the facts. Nothing's more damaging than jumping to conclusions. "Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything" (Pr 13:3 NLT). (3) Handle it with wisdom. List all your options and you'll be more objective. That's how you'd handle a problem at work; why not do the same with your family? (4) Find something good in the situation. Scott Peck writes: "It's only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. It's through the pain of confronting them that we learn." No matter how bad things seem, every situation holds something positive-look for it. (5) Make sure they know you love them. It's okay to express how you feel so long as you do it graciously. But make sure your family knows you love them. When people feel loved they can weather almost any crisis. Think: when do you need God's love most? When you deserve it least! Try to follow suit.

WHEN YOU'RE THE LEADER, PART 2

"The leader should be like a servant."
Luke 22:26 NLT

I want to share a story written by Michael Bruner. He writes about how, as a brash young college student, he attended a lecture by a former U.S. Attorney General. He says: "Afterwards I approached him to see if we could meet for coffee. To his associates' shock, he said, ‘How about tomorrow'...We met and talked for an hour...I peppered him with questions. What famous people had he met? What was it like to be Attorney General in the 60's? When I asked him who was the greatest person he'd ever met, he said, ‘I don't think of people in those terms.' He went on to tell me something I'll never forget. ‘Don't ever seek to be the greatest. Seek instead to do great things. If you aspire to greatness, your greatness will die with you. But if you aspire to do great things, your legacy will live on. The only way to do this is by being a servant. Lead by serving and you'll do great things.' I was too young in the faith to know he'd taken those words from Scripture...Jesus was the embodiment of servant leadership. He didn't just tell the disciples what they should do, he did it along with them...As I left the hotel that morning and waited to cross the street, a blind man with a seeing-eye dog came up alongside me. I stared at the beautiful Lab...his senses alert, his sole purpose in life to serve his...master. Then the light turned green and gently the dog led [him] across the street...God had sent me a living parable. I learned a lesson that morning I would never forget. Pursue great things, not greatness; lead by serving."

WHEN YOU'RE THE LEADER

"Whoever wants to be a leader...must be your servant."
Matthew 20:26 NLT

Mac Anderson says: "Like every human being, I have doubts, fears and disappointments...As leaders, however, we must manage our attitude...we can't underestimate the influence of our actions and attitudes. Churchill said, ‘The price of leadership is responsibility to stay positive whether you feel like it or not.' A good leader launches out before success is certain...doesn't run from confrontation...talks about his own mistakes before anybody else's, and acknowledges them before others have to discover and reveal them. He looks for opportunities to find his teammates doing something right, and encourages the smallest improvement. He doesn't tolerate murmuring in himself or in others...is specific in his expectations...values accountability...does what's right instead of what's popular or convenient."

What does the word "servant" bring to your mind? The guy who works behind the scenes? The personal assistant who makes you look good? The mate who worked so you could complete your degree? Charles Stanley says: "Godly servants are all around us, but we often take them for granted. This is a tragedy we need to correct-not only for their sakes but for our own. Their faithful service brings untold blessings...Wherever Joseph went, the people he served were blessed. Potiphar wasn't a God-fearing man, yet he prospered because of Joseph. Find the people in your life who have the gift of godly service and spend time with them...When you turn your nose up at someone doing ‘servant's work' you cut yourself off from a relationship that could literally change your life." Each of us has the potential to be great-not famous, but great, because greatness comes by serving!

TWO THOUGHTS ABOUT ELISHA

"That your fruit should remain." John 15:16 NKJV

Elisha served others until he died. We read: "Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him [for advice]." On his deathbed, Elisha gave the king a strategy for defeating his enemies. So, you can lift others even when you yourself are down.

You can feel like a hypocrite because things aren't so great in your own life, yet still minister to them. The truth is, when you reach out in love to someone else it takes the focus off you, your discouragement lifts, and it works for your good. Elisha's impact continued after he died. One day Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you?" He replied, "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit" (2Ki 2:9 NIV). Elijah, his mentor, performed seven major miracles recorded in Scripture. When he died, Elisha had performed only thirteen. Did God fail to grant his request? No. "Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land...So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet" (2Ki 13:20-21 NKJV). Miracle fourteen; Elisha got his double portion! Jesus said, "I chose...you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain" (Jn 15:16 NKJV). So pray, "Lord, give me a legacy of righteousness. Make my impact greater than my lifespan. Give me fruit that remains."

RUNNING THE RACE

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

In Greece there's a place tourists seldom visit. The writer of Hebrews may have had it in mind when he wrote, "Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and...run with endurance." It's where the Isthmian Games, a forerunner to the Olympics, were held: a place where athletes were hailed as heroes. To develop muscle they trained with weights strapped to their legs, but on the day of the race they stripped off anything that wasn't essential. There's a lesson here. We think what we're clinging to is important. If we didn't, letting go wouldn't be a struggle; we'd simply set it down.

The Christian life is a race that starts the day you accept Christ and ends when you meet Him face-to-face. In order to cross the finish line as a winner you must eliminate: (1) Anything that slows you down. In other words, anything that hinders your spiritual progress. In and of itself it may not be wrong, but it becomes a "weight" when it stops you from living for God to the fullest. (2) Anything that causes you to stumble short of the finish line. You must constantly monitor the level of your commitment to Christ, the growth of your faith, your home life, your relationships, your integrity, your work ethic, your thought life and your habits. Make up your mind to stay focused on the prize. Greek athletes who won received a garland that eventually withered, but you will "receive the crown of glory that will never fade" (1Pe 5:4 NIV). Isn't that worth running the race for?

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF, PART 2

"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife."
Ruth 4:13 NKJV

In order to prepare Ruth for meeting Boaz, her future husband, Naomi taught her two important principles about succeeding in life:

(1) You must have the right attitude. Naomi said to Ruth, "Anoint yourself" (Ru 3:3 NKJV). In Bible times people anointed themselves with oil in order to be refreshed and renewed. So Ruth was, in essence, adopting the right attitude. If you're praying for a good job or a suitable partner or a favorable outcome in a particular area but it hasn't happened yet, don't automatically blame Satan-check your attitude. "Let God re-make you so that your whole attitude...is changed" (Ro 12:2 PHPS). To get the right result, you need the right approach. (2) You must be willing to stand out in the crowd. Naomi instructed Ruth, "Put on your best garment" (Ru 3:3 NKJV). But why get dressed up for something that hasn't happened yet? Because God blesses prepared people! When your time comes you must be ready. Ruth's story teaches us that it's those who are willing to stand out in the crowd who get noticed. Any time you dress for where you're going, there's a good chance you'll look out of place where you are. That's okay. Your highest priority should be God's approval, not man's. You must know you have a definite destination, otherwise you'll be tempted to make excuses and try to explain why you're so different from everyone else. When you know where God is taking you, you won't care. The truth is, when others look at your preparation they should be in no doubt as to your destination. Remember this...Love is the Anointing to prosper.

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF

"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife."
Ruth 4:13 NKJV

Look at the instructions Naomi gave Ruth for approaching Boaz, her future husband, and you'll see that there's a certain protocol involved in walking with God. Once you understand it, the things you've been waiting for begin to happen. So:

(1) Be sure it's God's will for you. Ruth wasn't looking for just any man, she had a specific one in mind. And because Naomi had done her homework, she was able to tell Ruth where to find him: "He is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor" (Ru 3:2 NKJV). Research what you want from God before you start claiming things in prayer. Be sure it's what He wants too! If your name's not on it, don't pursue it. Don't go after something because it looks good in someone else's life. God has a plan for you-one that's unique and specific. Seek Him and He will reveal it to you. (2) Deal with your past. Naomi said to Ruth, "Wash yourself" (Ru 3:3 NKJV). In order to gain acceptance with Boaz, Ruth couldn't approach him looking and smelling like Moab, the famine-stricken place she'd come from. She needed to settle her past so it didn't sabotage her future. God will open the door for you, but until you've resolved your old issues you won't be able to walk through it. You can't receive what He has for you now if you're still contaminated by what you went through then. Whether it takes six months or six years, sort out your emotional baggage. God says: "Forget the former things...I am doing a new thing...I am making a way" (Isa 43:18-19 NIV).

USE YOUR GIFT

"Having...gifts...let us use them."
Romans 12:6 NKJV

The Bible says, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them." God has "graced" you to do certain things well. Now, that doesn't mean doors will automatically open, and, like cream, you'll just rise to the top. Indeed, what you get overnight you can lose overnight. You must first discern your gifts, use every opportunity to sharpen them, learn from your mistakes, and be tenacious about what God's called you to do.

In high school "Sparky" flunked Latin, algebra, English and physics. He made the golf team but promptly lost the only match of the season, then he lost the consolation match. He was awkward socially-more shy than disliked. He never once asked a girl out on a date in high school. One thing, however, was important to Sparky-drawing. He was proud of his artwork even though nobody else appreciated it. He submitted cartoons to the editors of his high school yearbook but they were rejected. Even so, he aspired to be an artist. After high school he sent samples of his work to The Walt Disney Studios. Again he was rejected. But Sparky didn't quit. He decided to write his autobiography in cartoons. The popularity of his cartoon strip eventually led to countless books and television shows. You see, Sparky was Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, the most famous cartoonist of all time. Like his main character, Charlie Brown, Schulz seemed unable to succeed at many things. But he made the most of his God-given talent, refused to quit, and ended up winning. So, use your gift.

BALANCING FAMILY AND CAREER

"He must manage his own family well."
1Timothy 3:4 NIV

Sunday the Word to us is concerning our self-centeredness. This is the main problems that surface in relationships....church, friends, work and marriage. I want to look at it from the point of family.

Balancing family and career calls for tough, unselfish choices. If you make the right ones you'll look back with joy, not regret. John Ortberg writes: "A friend of mine is a professional musician. For many years he made his living on the road. He was becoming increasingly successful. Then three years ago he became a father. He was on the road about half the time. He realized that when his daughter was about a year old she hardly knew him. He knew he needed to make a change but it was frightening to him. What if his career slowed to a crawl? What if being home more, actually made life harder? He took a job as the head of a music department at a university. He still performs, but he travels now only a fraction of the time. His relationship with his daughter has become a source of pride and joy in his life that he otherwise never would have known. He did have to let go of some of his old dreams, but he has since recorded a best selling CD and been nominated for a Grammy. Most importantly, he realizes his daughter will grow up a fundamentally different human being now, than she would have if she had grown up with a hole in her heart where her father was supposed to be. By the end of his life he will have a title that means much more to him than Rock Star. The title is ‘Dad!'" The Bible says a leader "must manage his own family well." And that doesn't just apply to leaders, it applies to all of us!

APPRECIATE YOUR WIFE

"A good wife is...worth more than rubies." Proverbs 31:10 NCV

Do you have any idea how hard your wife works to be a good mother? Imagine this: six dads are dropped on a desert island with one car and three kids each for six weeks. Each child will play two sports and take music or dance lessons. There's no fast food, and every man has to correct homework, help with science projects, cook meals, do laundry, budget for groceries, pay the bills without enough money, know the birthdays of friends and relatives and send cards. In addition, he has to take each kid for haircuts and to doctor and dentist appointments, bake cakes for school functions, plant flowers, and keep his home presentable at all times. He can only watch TV after the kids are in bed and his chores are done, and then he must have enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. He should be well-groomed, go to church at least once a week, read to his kids, pray with them every night, pack their lunches and favorite snacks, fix breakfast, make sure they're dressed and on the school bus by 8:00 am. At the end of six weeks every guy will be tested on his child's height, weight, shoe size, favorite color, song, drink, toy, and their biggest fear. And here's the best part-the winner gets to play the game over and over again for the next eighteen to twenty-one years! So, do you still think you want to change places with your wife? The Bible says: "Go all out in your love for your wives" (Eph 5:25 TM) because "a good wife is...worth more than rubies."

NEVER BETRAY CONFIDENCE

"He who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."
Proverbs11:13 NKJV

We all need a shoulder to cry on. When we're battling habits and hang-ups we need a safe place to go, confident we'll be loved, understood, supported and prayed for. If those who are hurting can't find these qualities in church, where are they supposed to go? The betrayal of a confidence is a terrible sin. "But what I said was true," you object. So what? "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." Note the words "reveals" and "conceals." The Hippocratic Oath says: "Whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets." That oath is taken by physicians and other professionals in positions of trust. But it ought to be binding on every one of us!

How would you feel if your doctor, counselor, minister or a trusted friend violated your confidence and broadcast your holy secrets? Hurt? Betrayed? The longer we live the more we realize there's a severe shortage of people who can be trusted to keep their mouths shut, and the more we value them. If you were asked to define a person of integrity, wouldn't the ability to keep a confidence be close to the top of your list? So here are some ground rules to live by: (a) Instead of talking, pray about it. (b) Instead of criticizing, look for something good. (c) Instead of showing anger, show grace. How you handle others determines how God will handle you!

LEGALISM OR GRACE? PART 2

"We are made fit...by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus."
Heb 10:10 TM

Rigid adherence to a list of do's and don'ts appeals to our pride and self-sufficiency by believing and fostering the myth that if we work hard enough we can earn God's favor. That's fear-based thinking, and "God has not given us a spirit of fear" (2Ti 1:7 NLT). "There is no fear in love...fear has to do with punishment" (1Jn 4:18 NIV). Legalism is fear that God isn't big enough to forgive your sins, that unless you do the right thing in the right way at the right time-and do it perfectly-you're in trouble. Jon Walker writes: "That's a lie with the smell of hell all over it! When we fear making mistakes we become timid, and limit ourselves from living abundantly. We let...analysis permeate our decisions as we lead quiet, desperate, anti-faith lives, afraid to move with the bold confidence that grace gives us to walk in uncertainty...unafraid of rejection." Speaking against works-based religion,

Martin Luther said, "Be a sinner and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger...rejoice in Christ...the victor over sin." No, Luther wasn't excusing sin! He was restoring grace to its rightful place, affirming that nothing can separate us from God's love (See Ro 8:38-39). He wasn't downgrading the law, He was upgrading grace. Grace means talking to God and listening for His voice when it would be easier to just consult the rule book. The truth is, when "[Jesus] entered...heaven...to appear...before God on our behalf" (Heb 9:24 NLT), He freed us to have a relationship with Him without fear of sin separating us.

LEGALISM OR GRACE? PART 1

"Do not set aside...grace." Galatians 2:21 NKJV

Imagine going to the emergency room and being asked to leave because you're bleeding all over the floor! Jesus encountered that legalistic mindset when He healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath. "Indignant...the synagogue ruler said...'There are six days for work...come and be healed on those days'" (Lk 13:14 NIV).

Observing the law was more important to him than the people he was supposed to care for. Max Lucado says: "All religion falls into...two camps: legalism or grace. A legalist believes if you look right, speak right and belong to the right group, you'll be saved...The outside sparkles...but something's missing...Joy. What's there instead? Fear-that you won't do enough. Arrogance-that you've done enough. Failure-that you've made a mistake. Legalism is...slow suffocation of the spirit, amputation of one's dreams...enough religion to keep but not nourish you...Your diet is rules and standards. Legalism...doesn't need God...It's the search for innocence-not forgiveness...a systematic process of defending...explaining...exalting...justifying...It turns my opinion into your burden. There's only room for one opinion...and guess who's wrong? It turns my opinion into your boundary. Your opposing opinion makes me question not only your right to fellowship with me, but your salvation. It turns my opinion into your obligation. Christians must toe the company line. Your job isn't to think, it's to march...Salvation is God's business. Grace is his idea, his work, and his expense. He offers it to whomever he desires, when he desires. Our job is to inform people, not screen them." Paul writes, "Do not set aside...grace...for if righteousness comes through the law...Christ died in vain." Thank God "he saved us because of his mercy...not...good deeds we did" (Tit 3:5 NCV).

GET INTO GOD'S WORD!

"They...searched the Scriptures daily."
AcTS 17:11 NKJV

The Devil doesn't mind you paying lip-service to God's Word as long as you don't take the time to read and study it. How long have you been talking about reading your Bible? When are you going to get around to doing it-and applying its principles in your everyday life?

Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: "Anybody can come up with a grandiose scheme for change. One person says he wants to reach the world for Christ. Somebody else wants to study every book in the Bible over the next five years. Somebody else plans to memorize 100 verses. Somebody else is going to become a Christ-like spouse. Wonderful! When are you going to begin? Until you answer that, all you have is good intentions.

Those have about as much value as a worthless check. After all, what good does it do to dream of reaching the world with the Gospel if you can't share Christ with the person in the office next to you? How are you going to study the entire Bible when you don't even know what verse you're going to study tomorrow? How can you memorize 100 verses when you've never even tried to memorize one? Rather than fantasize about a Christ-like marriage, why not start with something simple such as doing the dishes if you're a husband, or encouraging your husband if you're a wife? Too much ‘application' stays at the level of good intentions because we talk about the end of the journey without specifying when, where, and how we're going to take the first step. As someone has well said, "We don't plan to fail, we fail to plan."

DOCTORS COAT OR JUDGES ROBE?

"Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen?" Romans 8:33 NLT

Jesus spoke these words as statement to who we must become, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Sick doesn't necessarily mean you're a sinner. I know of a lot of "sick, wounded and hurting" Christians. We have a good idea of what we should be. Lets get right to what we shoudn't. JUDGES!

Matthew chapter 7, a familiar passage that I know we all have heard from sunday school to the pulpit, that says "Don't Judge!" (Matthew 7:2-5). Judging is tearing someone down. When you tear someone down, you're on thin ice with God. The Bible says: "Who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare...point a finger? The One who died for us...is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us...no way!" (vv. 33-35 TM). Your fellow-believers are not perfect, but God says they "belong to his dear Son" (Eph 1:6 NLT). There's nothing you can bring against them that God doesn't already know.

Stop and think; by discrediting them you're questioning the One who redeemed them, implying He made a mistake and doesn't know what He's doing. You say, "But shouldn't I speak up when something is wrong?" Yes, but be careful about overstepping your bounds and condemning the person. Your attitude should be one of helpfulness, forgiveness and reconciliation. Anytime you try to judge what you've no authority over, you're out of your jurisdiction! Paul writes, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Ro 14:4 NIV). It's God's job to judge others-and He doesn't need your help to do it!

YOUR PRAYERS CARRY WEIGHT WITH GOD

"Earnest prayer...produces wonderful results."
James 5:16 NLT

In the Old Testament Abraham journeyed south. When he reached Gerar we read that he "said of his wife Sarah, ‘She is my sister.' Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her" (Ge 20:1-2 NIV). Can you imagine how Sarah felt, trapped and alone in the palace, contemplating what lay ahead at the hands of her captor? And what's worse, her husband, the man she trusted with her life, let it happen! We're not privy to how Sarah prayed that night. But she must have touched the heart of God because He "came to Abimelech in a dream...and said...'the woman you have taken...is...married...return the man's wife...and you will live...if...not...you...will die'" (vv. 3-7 NIV).

God's directives are always clear; there's never any ambivalence about what He says. "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it...wherever he pleases" (Pr 21:1 NIV). That means authority figures who don't even know you exist, have to stop and listen when God speaks, because to Him "one man is not different from another" (Ro 2:11 AMP). So what can you do when you're helpless to change a situation you didn't create? Or when someone you loved and trusted lets you down? Pray! Instead of giving in to bitterness or fear, cry out to God. He will hear you like He heard Sarah. How can you be sure? Because His Word says, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." No matter how bad things may look right now, and they looked pretty bad for Sarah that night, your prayers carry weight with God.

DON'T LOSE YOUR PEACE OF MIND

"You will keep him in perfect peace."
Isa 26:3 NKJV

We lose our peace of mind for four reasons: (1) We try to change the people in our lives. As you grow wiser you begin to realize that you can't change other people, only God can! And He does, when you back off, and love them as they are. This doesn't mean agreeing with everything they do. It means committing to love them regardless, claiming God's promises on their behalf and allowing Him to deal with them His way, in His time and for His glory. The reason you're stressed out may be because you keep trying to do something-about something you can't do anything about! (2) We try to make things happen when it's not the right time. "There is a time for everything" (Ecc 3:1 NIV). If you've raised children you know that one of their chief characteristics is impatience; they can't wait for anything. God wants us to outgrow our childishness so He makes us wait, trust, and mature! (3) We get upset because we're not progressing fast enough. You can slow down your spiritual growth through neglect, but ultimately, "We all...are being changed...[by] the Spirit" (2Co 3:18 NCV). So learn to enjoy your life while God works on your problems, for you'll always have problems! (4) We push ourselves harder and harder. We do what we think God wants without consulting Him as to what He actually wants, when He wants it, or how He wants it done. As a result we wear ourselves out. What's the solution? "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is [focused] on You, because he trusts in You."

CONGREGATIONS GONE WILD!

My heart is heavy for the church in America. I am all about reaching the unchurched, but I have grave concerns about the secularization of the church. There have always been new waves to ride in church growth, but we have a Biblical mandate that must be followed above all trends and fads. For as we know, they all fade eventually. I believe the church should progress and be contemporary but should never become secular. I also believe the unchurched need to be grounded and discipled in an experience with God that pursues His presence and His power. I still believe in "seek and you will find"- "tarry until you are endued with power" and "take up your cross and follow me." This article from the New York Times gripped my heart and I felt it was worth passing on to other people of faith.

Christianity is exploding throughout the world right now, but declining in America. We have an unaddressed spiritual problem when our preachers become entertainers and our worship set is timed down to a "time out" with God instead of a "romance with God." In America we are recycling people who didn't like church the way it use to be, so we are offering them a new experience that gives them a simple devotion that is not always followed up with commitment, lifestyle changes and dedication.

I don't believe this issue was caused by the new church experience. It was created by the old experience that was absent of love, acceptance and forgiveness. We allowed church to get boring, dry and irrelevant. We allowed ignorance to lead us and laziness to plan our worship services. The old church experience was filled with too many sour saints, angry pastors and mean church leaders. This caused people to go searching for a different kind of church, a church that looked nothing like the old model. Who could blame them?

I don't believe the new secular model is not the answer. We must go back to the Acts model and the New Testament church model. All of us need to return back to the heart of God and please Him above everything else. Watering down the gospel will not make the world less thirsty, it will only give them a sip from the well- the well that never runs dry. We need passion, power and God's presence in these last days. That is what the rest of the world is experiencing, while we in America take one more short cut to accommodate our American lifestyle of "things and places" to fill up the emptiness of peace, significance and wholesome living. I hope you take the time to read this article and hear the voice of one crying in the wilderness -"prepare the way of the Lord."


NEW YORK TIMES
Congregations Gone Wild
By G. JEFFREY MacDONALD
Published: August 7, 2010

THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS, PART 2

"You should follow His steps."
1Pe 2:21 NKJV

Jesus knew He didn't have to prove Himself. At the cross, skeptics said, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross" (Mt 27:40). His reaction? He refused to let their comments intimidate Him or alter His plans. He didn't need their approval; He already had His Father's: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mt 3:17). Jesus didn't waste time answering His critics. "Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge-to the great amazement of the governor" (Mt 27:14 NIV). Jesus responded to hunger, to need, to seekers, but not to people trying to trap Him. You owe nothing to a critic. "Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words" (Pr 23:9).

Do you know why there's never been a monument built to a critic? Because critics are spectators, not players! Jesus didn't focus on the past, but the future. His mother was pregnant with Him before she was married. Only a few people knew the truth. Jesus grew up with this, yet He didn't feel the need to explain it. Stop complaining that your family was poor, or talking about your limited education, or repeating stories of those who failed you, or advertising your pain, or meditating on your flaws. All of us are challenged in some way. "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing" (Isa 43:18-19). Satan discusses our yesterdays; apparently that's the only information he has about us. Jesus discusses our tomorrows. So if you want to follow in His footsteps, focus on what's ahead.

THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

"You should follow His steps." 1Pe 2:21 NKJV

If you want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, observe the following things about Him:
(1) He never acted in haste. He didn't make decisions in response to the pressure tactics of others. Skilled negotiators know that waiting is a weapon; whoever is the most hurried usually ends up with the short end of the deal. Waiting reveals the weakness in any plan, plus the motives of those around you. Your greatest mistakes will often happen because of impatience, so think long term.
(2) He knew when to work and when to rest. In the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples sweated, but Jesus slept. In the garden of Gethsemane the disciples slept, but Jesus sweated. That's because He knew when to work and when to rest. Knowing when to act and when to trust, what to give your attention to and what to leave in God's hands, is a secret you must learn if you're to do God's will and not burn out.

Nobody was busier than Jesus. Everybody wanted something from Him. The more successful you are the more people will reach for you. Jesus separated Himself in order to receive. He understood that you can't give what you don't have. Work means giving; rest means receiving. Jesus understood the balance; that's why He accomplished so much in three short years. When you're rested you think more clearly, you make better decisions, you see life through confident eyes, you accomplish more in less time, and what you build is built to last. So stop your frantic rush. Following in the footsteps of Jesus means being led, not driven!

YOU MUST TRUST

‘Trust in the Lord with thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. Proverbs 3:5 & 6

You need to trust me wholly. This lesson has to be learned. You shall be helped; you shall be led, guided, continually. The children of Israel would long before have entered the Promises and Blessing I had for them – only their doubts and fears continually drove them back into the wilderness. Remember always, doubts delay. Are you trusting all to me or not?

I have told you how to live and you must do it. My children, I love you. Trust my tender love, it will never fail you, but you must learn not to fail it.

You have much to learn in turning out fear and being at peace. All your doubts arrest my work. You must not doubt. I died to save you from sin and doubt and worry. You must believe in me, totally.

Dear children, never forget that all you need body, soul, and Spirit comes from within, from the close contact of your spirit with my Spirit. Great is the Spirit of God.

LOVE OFFERING

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.

I am your Lord, gracious and loving. Rest in my love, walk in my ways. Each week is a week of progress, steady progress upward. You may not see it, but I do.

I judge not by outward appearances; I judge the heart, and I see your heart’s desire to do my will. So, though you may feel that you have failed. I see it as love’s offering. Receive courage my children. Persevere. Persevere. Love and laugh. Rejoice. I have not left you.

When climbing a steep hill, a man is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of his upward progress?

Child bow your head. You are blessed coming in and going out today.

GOD'S LONGING

“Love the Lord, your God, with all your Heart and with all your Soul and with all your Mind”. Matthew 22:37

To the listening ear I speak, to the waiting heart I come. Sometimes, I may not speak. I may ask you merely to wait in my presence, to know that I am with you.

Think of the multitudes, which thronged me, when I was on earth, all eager for something. Eager to be healed, taught, or fed.

Think as I supplied their many wants, and granted their manifold requests, what it meant to me, to find amid the crowd, some one or two, who followed me just to be near me, just to dwell in my presence. Just to say, “I love you”. “What do YOU want to talk about”?

Comforting me, by letting me know that you would seek me, be near me, not even for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message – but for me. Do you not know the longing of the human heart to be loved is something caught and desired from the divine heart of God.

Selah. Think on this and bless Him today.