Lay down my life for the calling of Christ

 S - Luke 14: 26 -35   (NASB)

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not [r]hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who are watching it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build, and was not able to finish!’ 31 Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to face the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 Otherwise, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and requests terms of peace. 33 So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [s]give up all his own possessions.

34 “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be [t]seasoned? 35 It is useless either for the soil or the manure pile, so it is thrown out. The one who has ears to hear, [u]let him hear.”

O - Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the thousands who had gathered to here Him teach and see Him heal the lame and afflicted.   He tells them the kind of people who will be able to follow Him and receive healing from the one who sent Him.  They needed to give up their entire life and follow him,  carrying each their own cross.   He explains to them it is important they count the cost of this choice to follow Him, much like the person who sets out to build a tall skyscraper must count the cost to build the building before they start so they have confidence they will finish it.   Therefore each one of us needs to count the cost of following Jesus and should follow Jesus as His disciples have.  

A -  The application for me is to be sure I understand the cost of following Jesus.   I must consider separating myself from my mother and sister,  from my wife and daughters,  for my fathers and their son and daughter.     I must pick up my cross that I must bare in order to follow Chris for the cause of winning souls for the Kingdom of God.  For what King would fight a war against a far superior army without having assurance they will be victorious,  it would be better for them to surrender and become slaves.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, help me to follow the example of Jesus,  your chosen one.  Help me to lay down my possessions on the alter as an offering to you.   Then equip me in the full armor of God so that I might fight our great enemy Satan who seeks to kill and destroy all of Gods people.   I want to be know as Joseph,  follower of Christ, and warrior for God's elite fighting force and a friend to the sons of Man.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

Jesus the way, the truth, and the light of the world

 S- John 12:27 - 36  (NASB)
27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what am I to say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 So the crowd who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him!” 30 Jesus responded and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for yours. 31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” 33 Now He was saying this to indicate what kind of death He was going to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard from the Law that the [o]Christ is to remain forever; and how is it that You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

O - Jesus is the light of the world, and all that follow Him walk in the light.   He lights their path and walks with them as they seek God and go where God is working.   Now God works all things for good who are called according to Christ.   Therefore we are now bondservants of Christ, much like Paul was called and became a bondservant of Christ.   Jesus want us to put our work toward the Harvest, but he fully equips us to do good works so that we might have the wisdom and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit who resides in us.   God does not promise us a life free from troubles, but he does commit to walk through the trials so that we may not fall.   He ways are narrow, but with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and the mercy and grace of God we are able. 

A-  The application for me is to commit my plans to the Lord, but if it is His will it will be done.  If it is not His will I pray my mind would be changed, so I might travel on the path of righteousness.   I pray that the Lord would walk with me and the people would not hear my voice but recognize the voice of Jesus who is the way and the life,  and draws those called to him in the way of righteousness.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's Truth may it lead and guide me in your ways.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Led by the spirit, not by my flesh

Led by the Spirit not by the flesh

S- Galatians 5 NASB

16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

O -  Paul is speaking to the church at Galatia who is finding themselves being drawn back to the Jewish tradition of circumcision and the law.  He knows that the way of the law is one in which man has fallen short of being able to within his own flesh stay obedient to the covenant that circumcision represents.  But there is a new covenant with Christ, one that doesn’t rely on man but instead relies on God’s grace and Christ’s redemption and substitution for our sin.  The lesson is that we are not to live by our own flesh but  by the Spirit of God that is in us.   It is what will enable us to resist the immorality that our flesh often desires.  The spirit of God in us will allow us to despite external circumstances to response with fruit of the spirit,  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

A -  The application for me is to remember to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit in me and know that my reactions should be led by this spirit, and not my flesh.   I know that this will be my challenge as situations become stressful at home or at work,  but I am committed to dig deep inside and seek the Lord’s spirit in me,  to delay the response of my flesh, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.  

P -  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this reminder to continue to allow your Holy Spirit to speak to me and guide my hands, heart, and mind.   I pray Lord that you help me to stay open to hearing your spirit, and avoid the inclines of my flesh.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Love and serve one another

Love and serve one another 

S-1 Peter 4 NIV

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.   8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.   11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

O- For context we know this is a letter from Peter to the local church, likely in Jerusalem.    His reason for writing was to encourage and correct behaviors that were likely rising up in the local church as conflict between members of the church occurred as they faced the trials of being the local church.  His encouragement was to remind them to keep a sober mind and be ready to pray because that is there spiritual weapon and defense against outside forces.  He then turns inward to say their highest principle to live by is to love one another deeply because this will cover whatever internal sins remain or pop up.  Seek to humbly serve one another so that you may support one another using the gifts God has given you.   When you serve,  serve with the all the strength and skill God gives you so that you can give Him all the glory and remain a humble of God’s strength, love, and grace.

A -  The application for me is to recognize that the end is near, and my time to pray, love and serve is now.   As a member of the body of Christ I must serve those in the church who are serving.  I must do so with a deep love and hospitality so that they might be encouraged and strengthened to continue their part in the body of Christ.     I have received the the gift of teaching and leadership and need to continue to use these gifts to love, teach and serve those God has placed in front of me.   

P - Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s lesson may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray that you help me to serve Chris Bryant in his search for a job at the shipyard.  I pray for wisdom and discernment for the words and actions that will help Him be aligned to your will for his life.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

Guarding against the hubris of success and position

Guarding against the hubris of success and position 

S- 2 Chron 26 NIV

3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem.   4 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done.   5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

 16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.   17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in.   18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests,the descendants of Aaron,who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.” 

O- Uzziah was not a bad King,  he was simply human.    Time and again we see God’s leaders start off right and not finish well.   From Moses to David and from David to up to Jesus,  many sought to lead the Lord’s people well and sought the Lords’ guidance and direction in their daily roles as leader.  They all fell though,  and Uzziah was no different.   Once he became powerful, pride or “hubris” became his downfall.   

A-  The lessons from this are significant to me, as the Lord has given me people to lead.  He expects me to steward this authority well.    I though and no better than Moses, David, or any of the Kings we read about in the Bible.  I am vulnerable to allowing arrogance swell up and my own position or success cause me to become unfaithful.   So what can I do.   I am not exactly sure other than seek God on this matter.  From this passage of scripture in verse 5 we see a part of the answer:

1. Seek God - in all decisions you are making he will not let your arrogance get in the way of making good decisions.
2. Fear God -   Not sure what comes first,  but out of a healthy fear of the Lord I will always want to seek the Lord for his direction.
3. Put a trusted prophet or priest as your advisor at all times.    While prophets and priests can’t bear the burden of leadership,  they stand as those who are constantly seeking and hearing the Lord, and a good one will be willing to share with you the truth of what God is saying about a situation.

P -  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s lesson,may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would guide me in every decision I make, and make known to me the prophets you have placed in my life.   I pray Lord that you would continue to guide and anoint me as a leader over your people and those you are calling to you.  I pray for protection from the Hubris that comes from success and positional authorities you have given me.  May I always fear you and seek you.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Commit you plans to the Lord

Commit your plans to the Lord

S- Proverbs 16 NASB

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

O -  These proverbs are from the Lord, given to Solomon the wisest man for all time,  and tell us more about our character and God’s design for us.   Because of sin we often will fall short of living by these proverbs, heck even Solomon fell short of following his own advice.  I am reminded that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom because without a healthy respect that God will hold us accountable for what we know the right thing is now that he has revealed it.   That fear of being disciplined and corrected most of the the time is enough for me to give pause prior to acting.  In the case of these three connected proverbs I am reminded I have plans in my heart but they should not guide my words if the plans are not from the Lord (my plans are sometime selfish and more like wishes).  What comes out of my mouth needs to be from the Lord otherwise it is not true and causes me and others to stumble.   I of course act in a manner I believe to be right and even believe to be righteous, but I am too fall short in these areas as my motives are sometimes coming from a place of hurt and bitterness and with a desire for revenge.     In the end my work is important to me and I make my own plans and then ask God to bless it vice committing my job and efforts to the Lord and allowing Him then to establish my plan. 

A -  The application for me is to recognize that I must commit my life, actions, words, and job to the Lord as the starting point.  If I do this with all my heart, mind, and soul, he will guide my words, motives, actions each and everyday and I will be able to glorify him in all the things I do.   So easily written,  not so easily lived.  Despite that I am excited and encourage to give this my full effort.  

P -  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for todays lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would forgive me my transgressions and arrogance as I have made plans that I have not committed to you.  I do that now, lay down my life and ask that you would establish my plans, guide my words, and actions.    I desire to be your light in this world full of darkness.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

The nature of true Apostleship

Nature of true Apostleship 

S- 1COR 4 NIV

The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants(A) of Christ and as those entrusted(B) with the mysteries(C) God has revealed.   2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.   3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.   4 My conscience(A) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.(B) It is the Lord who judges me.(C)   5 Therefore judge nothing(A) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.(B) He will bring to light(C) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.(D) 

O - Paul here is describing clearly what it means to be an Apostle of Christ.   It serves as an example to all of though, that we ought to understand that we have given our life’s to Christ, and that means giving up all of our self-rights, in favor of being a servant of Christ.  Paul points out where his confidence comes from, and that is that God has chosen him, and revealed the mysteries of the faith, and since he was entrusted him must prove trustworthy to God, and his faith must prove true.    It is from this proven faith and knowledge of who Christ is, that Paul is able to set aside himself,  and no longer worry about who is judging him, or even judging himself.    He also explains it is not His place to judge, but simply wait on the Lord. 

A - The application for me is to strive to be like Paul, whose confidence come from being disciple of Christ.  Christ has set me free,  lives in me, and is helping me step by step,  yet I still lack the faith that Paul had.  I lake the trust in Christ, as is evident by my moments of fear and anxiety and lack of confidence.   I need to believe what God has promised and delivered, that He has a plan for me.  I am chosen, and called, and need to walk in the shadow of His lordship.   That alone should be my confidence.  Not in my own ability or talent, or position but rather in the fact He is with me.  

P - Dear Heavenly Father,  thank you for this opportunity to serve you.  I am so thankful for your salvation,  for you living in my heart, and for your love and grace.  Lord I need help though getting over myself,  walking in fear,  reacting in anger,  and making it about me and not about you, and those you are trying to reach with your message of love and grace.   I pray Lord you would heal whatever hurt/scar that is preventing me from following you in all my leadership opportunities at work.  

Dealing with false witnesses and going to War

 Dealing with false witnesses and going to war

S-Deut 19 NIV

Witnesses15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.(A)   16 If a malicious witness(A) takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime,   17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges(A) who are in office at the time.   18 The judges must make a thorough investigation,(A) and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,   19 then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party.(A) You must purge the evil from among you.   20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid,(A) and never again will such an evil thing be done among you.   21 Show no pity:(A) life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.(B) 

 Going to War20

 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,(A) do not be afraid(B) of them,(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with(D) you.   2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.   3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted(A) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.   4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you(A) to fight(B) for you against your enemies to give you victory.(C)” 

 Going to War20 When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours,(A) do not be afraid(B) of them,(C) because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with(D) you.   2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army.   3 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted(A) or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them.   4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you(A) to fight(B) for you against your enemies to give you victory.(C)”   5 The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in(A) it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it.   6 Has anyone planted(A) a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it?(B) Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it.   7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.(A)”   8 Then the officers shall add, “Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.”(A)   9 When the officers have finished speaking to the army, they shall appoint commanders over it.   10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace.(A)   11 If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject(A) to forced labor(B) and shall work for you.   12 If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.   13 When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.(A)   14 As for the women, the children, the livestock(A) and everything else in the city,(B) you may take these as plunder(C) for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the Lord your God gives you from your enemies.   15 This is how you are to treat all the cities that are at a distance(A) from you and do not belong to the nations nearby.   16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.(A)   17 Completely destroy[a] them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you.   18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods,(A) and you will sin(B) against the Lord your God.   19 When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?[a]   20 However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees(A) and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls. 

O-  This the book of instructions to the Israelites before they go to war and take the promise land.   It dealt with both the rules of how they are to maintain themselves a good and faithful society that trusts and follows God, as well as directed specific activities they should do to keep themselves as free from sin as possible.   Here we se a series of verses on how to deal with liars.  It is discussed in terms of dealing with false witnesses.  This comes right after the section on justice.    The next group of text informs the Israelites on how to go to WAR.   It discusses to leave behind those who have concerns for their life, their family, or just plain faint hearted is excused.  For the rest the lord is with them and they need to understand the Lord with defeat their enemies and not them.    They are to show no mercy and leave anyone alive in the land they go because they are not of God and will become a cancer among the Israelites.    The principle is this,  go to battle knowing the Lord is with you, don’t be faint hearted and trust in Him to defeat your enemies.    Lastly leave no remnant of the past behind because the cancer that remains though small will for sure cause death later.

A - The application for me is real and it is today.  Today I face giants,  Markle, Williamson and Greene regarding my future at PSNSY.    Dave has been a cancer in the department that has caused a good leader to behave poorly in how he chose to lead me as his operations officer.   I need to understand that Dave is a false witness and needs to be dealt with.  I will give this to the Lord, but remain available to be the tool that God uses to correct Dave.    In terms of the battle I go in with a group of people not present but that have my back, and I know God has their backs.   I will not be fainthearted,  I will stand my ground, and trust in the Lord.  I have nothing to fear, because He is with me, therefore I have no reason to be defensive, or strike out in anger, but simply need to be a good and active listener.   The Lord will strike down those in His path for my life. 

P - Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for today’s lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would be with me today, let my words be your words,  guard my heart and mind from my flesh.   I pray you would go before me and defeat my enemies.  Give me the courage to be humble and not reactive.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen.

Repenting of my sins, learning to love and lead the way God needs us to

Repenting of my sins, learning to love and lead the way God needs us to
S- Exodus 4 NASB

24Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood”—because of the circumcision.


O - Commentary by Matthew Henry


I. How God met him in anger, v. 24-26. This is a very difficult passage of story; much has been written, and excellently written, to make it intelligible; we will try to make it improving. Here is, 1. The sin of Moses, which was neglecting to circumcise his son. This was probably the effect of his being unequally yoked with a Midianite, who was too indulgent of her child, while Moses was too indulgent of her. Note, (1.) We have need to watch carefully over our own hearts, lest fondness for any relation prevail above our love to God, and take us off from our duty to him. It is charged upon Eli that he honoured his sons more than God (1 Sa. 2:29); and see Mt. 10:37. (2.) Even good men are apt to cool in their zeal for God and duty when they have long been deprived of the society of the faithful: solitude has its advantages, but they seldom counterbalance the loss of Christian communion. 2. God's displeasure against him. He met him, and, probably by a sword in an angel's hand, sought to kill him. This was a great change; very lately God was conversing with him, and lodging a trust in him, as a friend; and now he is coming forth against him as an enemy. Note, (1.) Omissions are sins, and must come into judgment, and particularly the contempt and neglect of the seals of the covenant; for it is a sign that we undervalue the promises of the covenant, and are displeased with the conditions of it. He that has made a bargain, and is not willing to seal and ratify it, one may justly suspect, neither likes it nor designs to stand to it. (2.) God takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the sins of his own people. If they neglect their duty, let them expect to hear of it by their consciences, and perhaps to feel from it by cross providences: for this cause many are sick and weak, as some think Moses was here. 3. The speedy performance of the duty for the neglect of which God had now a controversy with him. His son must be circumcised; Moses is unable to circumcise him; therefore, in this case of necessity, Zipporah does it, whether with passionate words (expressing her dislike of the ordinance itself, or at least the administration of it to so young a child, and in a journey), as to me it seems, or with proper words-solemnly expressing the espousal of the child to God by the covenant of circumcision (as some read it) or her thankfulness to God for sparing her husband, giving him a new life, and thereby giving her, as it were, a new marriage to him, upon her circumcising her son (as others read it)-I cannot determine: but we learn, (1.) That when God discovers to us what is amiss in our lives we must give all diligence to amend it speedily, and particularly return to the duties we have neglected. (2.) The putting away of our sins is indispensably necessary to the removal of God's judgements. This is the voice of every rod, it calls to us to return to him that smites us. 4. The release of Moses thereupon: So he let him go; the distemper went off, the destroying angel withdrew, and all was well: only Zipporah cannot forget the fright she was in, but will unreasonably call Moses a bloody husband, because he obliged her to circumcise the child; and, upon this occasion (it is probable), he sent them back to his father-in-law, that they might not create him any further uneasiness. Note, (1.) When we return to God in a way of duty he will return to us in a way of mercy; take away the cause, and the effect will cease. (2.) We must resolve to bear it patiently, if our zeal for God and his institutions be misinterpreted and discouraged by some that should understand themselves, and us, and their duty, better, as David's zeal was misinterpreted by Michal; but if this be to be vile, if this be to be bloody, we must be yet more so. (3.) When we have any special service to do for God we should remove as far from us as we can that which is likely to be our hindrance. Let the dead bury their dead, but follow thou me.


A- The application for me is deep and cutting. At times as a leader I have empathized with Moses for the leadership burden he bore. Now I am convicted by his own disobedience and weakness. I must address what this means to me as a leader or I will find myself in a similar position of Moses, facing an Angel of God's sword or the disfavor of the One who I have committed my life to serving. God's grace is sufficient to forgive me the area's of my disobedience that I am willing to confess and repent for. For me I confess today the following and sincerely pray that God will forgive, heal and restore me in these areas:


1.  Husband:  I confess I have not loved my wife like Christ loves the Church.   I know He has shown me this truth and called me to love my wife as well as Jesus does.   I may know the why's behind where I get my attitude problems when speaking with my wife, whether it be anger or biting sarcasm,  I must begin seeing her how God does, and speaking words (including body language) that makes here feel safe and loved, unconditionally.  She truly is God's gift to me long before I even had a relationship with Him.

2.  Leader:  I confess I am not ready to lead God's people anywhere, because I have not stewarded what little he has given me well.   Like with Abby, my biting sarcasm, or direct harsh words have sent a signal to those I lead that I care more about what they can produce, than I care about them.  I must stop using the excuse that my heart is good, when my words and attitude don't match my heart, that it is simply a skill thing that I need to work on.  There are things in my life that have led me to be the way I am, and many of them are not of God.  I need to literally die to these old self reasons that I allow myself to excuse my bad behavior.  Through repentance and healing, I hope one day to be worthy of leading God's people in ernest.

P -  Lord I come desperately seeking your forgiveness for my sin of pride that has allowed me to excuse my bad behavior, and ask that you once and for all,  heal me of the past hurts I continue to carry with me.  I pray Lord that you help the old me disappear, and the new creation to be fully revealed to my wife and those you have placed in my life to lead and love.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Giving God the glory in my leadership opportunities

Giving God the glory in your leadership opportunities

S-Genesis 41 NASB

15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile; 18and behold, seven cows, fat and sleek came up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the marsh grass...

O -  Obviously Joseph was one of the great Old Testament leaders, and here we see him at the moment his great quality and character becomes recognized by the Pharaoh.   As Joseph is called in to interpret a dream for the Pharaoh, it is not necessarily a friendly environment, the Pharoah is upset that none of his people can interpret it.  Joseph is brought in because the cupbearer that he interpreted a dream for while in prison, remembered him and therefore he was recommended to the Pharaoh.  Joseph’s quality and character are revealed in his leading statement “It is not me; God will give the Pharaoh and favorable answer”.    Wow,  Joseph knows exactly who the source of his talent comes from and takes no opportunity to take credit, but rather gives glory to God.

A - The application is for me to apply Joseph’s attitude and character to my own leadership at work and at home.   At work I am to recognize where my source of good ideas and talent come from.  It is years of experience and the DNA I was born with but all these come from God.    I am to recognize God has me right where He wants me, and when the time comes to speak up in front of the “King”. I must be ready to give God the glory,  humbly present what God is revealing to me, giving it to the King to act on.   I must guard against arrogance and Ego when things are going well in my favor, and against dispare and depression when times are not going well,  because in both cases God is on the throne and guiding my every step.

P - Dear Heavenly Father thank you for today’s revelation may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would continue to speak loudly into my life.  Lord I repent for the times my own pride has gotten in the way of me giving you all the glory, and where my depression has gotten in the way of me hearing your voice, and I allowed my attitude to reflect a genuine lack of faith in who you are.  I pray Lord that you would help me in the current situation of the trip to Japan and the NS08 visit, that you might give me the words to speak to the SYCDR about the why’s for me to go to Japan.  Lord I also pray that if it is not your will that I go, that you gently correct me and prevent me from focusing on the wrong thing.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Character criteria for being a leader

Character criteria to be a leader

S- 1 Timothy 3

Overseers and Deacons

1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

O - Paul  here is speaking to Timothy about the leaders of the church. This is the criteria for overseers and deacons in the church. He likely felt it necessary to speak on this topic because like in all things in this world people fall short.  Likely in this case some of the leaders in the church of Ephesus May have been inappropriately leading the congregation, and in Paul’s assessment it was due to them lacking one of the character traits for being overseer.   The list of course is comprehensive and sufficient to catch the character of the type of person who is called and should be challenged to be an overseer.

A-The application for me is simply to look in the mirror. While the topic is about being an overseer in the church, I recognize God has giving me the position of overseer at home and in the workplace as well. Therefore the criteria applies to me as well though I do not hold a position of overseer in the church, I play a role in leading gods people starting with my family and those in the workplace he is called me to lead. As God shines a light on these criteria and I look in the mirror at myself I see myself falling short in in in a few areas which through God’s grace is becoming my heart felt passion to be better today than I was yesterday, I need to work on the following:

1. Being temperate
2. Being gentle
3. Being peaceable

P -dear heavenly father thank you Lord for today’s devotion made be sealed to my heart. I pray that your Holy Spirit your word to those around me lord you would help me to shake my heart mind and soul to be more temperate gentle and peaceable with those that are in my life. Lord I confess I do not know how to do it by myself I can only do it with you. I pray all this in Jesus Christ name amen.

Show grace to your circle of authority

S - Colossians 4

1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

O - another amazing revelation from Paul regarding how we are to lead lead lead and how we are to spread the good news. I think Paul has met through these words broke in my own mental model of him. I am off and rejoiced of his passion and vigor and willing to be direct with people. Yet the underlying principles he shares here challenge my own. That we are to grant justice and fairness to those who work for us, and we can do this through prayer and being open To what God is telling you either through his word or through his Spirit. Paul exhorts us also to conduct ourselves with the wisdom towards those outside of our circle of influence and how we do that is to guard our speech to ensure it is always full of Grace seasoned with love and truth.

A-The application for me today it is well specific and general. Specific in the perspective that I am working with one of the leaders who works in my department on building trust. If I was to be honest I feel like he is outside my circle of influence, though it was in my circle of authority and this has caused great tension in our office. Normally as well as in this case when I find somebody out of my sight my circle of influence pricing out against my circle of authority I use my favorite tool the bulldozer to fix things. Today the Lord is showing me through people he has placed in my life, as well as his word family apostle Paul do you show me that I need to treat all of those within why authority with  Fairness.   I have to always show grace in all that I say to both direct reports and those around me, for this is what God has done for me, and without it the open doors.

P - Dear Heavenly Father , thank you for today’s lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me overcome my overwhelming feelings and put on my full armor so that I may show grace and love and represent you well.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name,  Amen.

speaking humbly, writing boldly

Writing boldly, speaking softly

S-2Cor10

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9 for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.

12 For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that {is,} in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, 16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. 17 But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

O-I almost got lost in Paul‘s dissertation here, not because it was it clear, but because I feel it mimics my own reality. What Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth is about who he is. Since Paul has established the church in Corinth, left, and sent letters back giving guidance I.e. 1 Corinthian’s.Here in second Corinthians we see Paul needing to explain to the people of Corinth that while he is with them he may appear humble and meek, yet in letters bold and pressing. His truth is that he is both , both kind and compassionate, and at bold in demanding. Paul goes on to explain this boldness doesn’t come from himself, therefore is not arrogance, but his strength comes from the Lord and therefore is righteous.

A-The application for me is to live a life like Paul, to be a leader like Paul, and to be a servant of Christ like Paul. I see Paul’s boldness in myself, not yet perfected, yet building into a Christ center leader who boldly can speak the truth, in love. The mistakes I’ve made in the past have been to expect people to recognize who I am and who I represent. When disrespected, or minimized I respond and elevate from my place of boldness to a place of anger in retaliation. It is this behavior I must stop, and follow Paul‘s example. Paul does two things in hears about things that upset him, he writes a letter in boldness impresses in direct me harshly at times but is able to prelude and post script it in a way that the corrected receive the correction in love. For me I must continue to practice my skills of articulating my thoughts in writing, more than reacting with my words in speech.I myself so follow Paul’s example and when in person, with kindness and love.

P-Dear heavenly father, thank you for today’s lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would continue to help transform my heart and mind in to Jesus’ image, and particularly help me to pause when confronted with things that upset me help me to respond meekly and with love. But I also ask that you would continue to develop my writing skills so that I may communicate with boldness And righteousness.

Facing my giants

Facing my giants

S-Job 32

Elihu in Anger Rebukes Job

1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, “I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

7 “I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom.

8 “But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9 “The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.

10 “So I say, ‘Listen to me, I too will tell what I think.’

11 “Behold, I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, While you pondered what to say.

12 “I even paid close attention to you; Indeed, there was no one who refuted Job, Not one of you who answered his words.

13 “Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will rout him, not man.’

14 “For he has not arranged his words against me, Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed, they no longer answer; Words have failed them.

16 “Shall I wait, because they do not speak, Because they stop and no longer answer?

17 “I too will answer my share, I also will tell my opinion.

18 “For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me.

19 “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine, Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

20 “Let me speak that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer.

21 “Let me now be partial to no one, Nor flatter any man.

22 “For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.

Galatians 5

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

O-The Lord has shown me through these two different yet connected passages in scripture how I am to process and handle circumstances I find myself in. Like Job I am in the midst of a great trial of circumstances in which those around me would advise me different than the Spirit of God that is within me.  And like the Galatians  I am to take Paul’s advice to walk by the Spirit and not by the desires of my flesh.  Circumstances have me leading in an organization in which dysfunction reigns and the politics run deep and dark. God I believe is calling me to be the light in the circumstance. And much like Job, I understand that externally, the situation may seem simple and easy.  The decision to choose to follow the three (Sliger, Otis, Gibson) satisfies the flesh but it’s not Gods way. it’s a great battle at a whole other level in which God‘s victory is available, if not inevitable.  There is even an Elihu (Gianokokos) who wants to rebuke the three and support me in Gods plan here at Puget.

A-so what is the application then that I am to take away from this scripture.?! Well the process of devotion is not where I come up with a plan but where the Lord helps me understand his application. What His spirit in me is telling me is to continue to proceed down with Job and path with the Paul passion and boldness.  Enough said.

P-dear heavenly father thank you for your Holy Spirit guiding me and leading me. I thank you for your power which is perfected through Christ in me. I pray Lord that you would help me guard against my fleshes reaction and response to the circumstances I am in, and that you would help me stay tuned to your Holy Spirit as both my comforter, peace giver, and direction finder.  I pray all of that in Jesus Christ name, amen.