That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

The literal translation of this verse adds a startling emphasis to it, allowing it to speak for itself with power we have probably never realized.  It is as follows: “Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, being insulted, experiencing emergencies, and being chased and forced into a corner for Christ’s sake; for when I am without strength, I am dynamite.”

After we read it in this light does anyone want to say, “WOW this is my favorite scripture of all time.  I just want to memorize it so I can say it over and over.”  I doubt very seriously anyone would want to make this “their verse” so to speak.  Actually this verse could not be more opposite than our true feelings.  Just think about it for a moment, who wants to be considered weak, insulted, have emergencies, and be forced into a corner, nobody!  So what does it all mean?

A.B. Simpson had this to say about the verse.  The secret of knowing God’s complete sufficiency is in coming to the end of everything in ourselves, and our circumstances.  Once we reach this point, we stop seeking sympathy for our difficult situation or ill treatment, because we will recognize these things as the necessary conditions for blessings.  We will then turn from our circumstances to God, realizing they are the evidence of Him working in our lives.

George Matheson, the well-known blind preacher once said, “My dear God, I have never thank You for my thorns.  I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorns.  I have always looked forward to the place where I will be rewarded for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as a present glory itself.  Teach me O Lord, to glory in my cross, Teach me the value of my thorns.  Show me how I have climbed to You through the path of pain.  Show me its is through my tears I have seen my rainbows.”

As I have been taking stock in my own life recently, I have been faced with some tough questions?  One question for me has been is my job more important than my family?  I have always been a constant for my children and Chad, but am I doing a good job now?  As a woman I feel the guilt of leaving my two-year-old everyday knowing all the things I will miss in that one day.  Sometimes I just cry out and say, “God is it worth it trying to balance all these things!”  You know that is one of the things I love about God.  He doesn’t mind you asking Him questions, as long as you are ready to listen.  He knows the sincerity of your heart, so he never judges.  You can be completely honest with him about every emotion and every thought, and he still will love you.  He so faithfully answered me. Every thorn in life has a cost, but that is what makes them so special, that is what I want you to give thanks for.  If it were not for the thorns, the difficult times, you would continue to stay the way you are.  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Without the thorns there would be no future.

Lord you are so good and so faithful.  You are so forgiving, and willing to listen to anything and everything on my mind.  Today I thank you for the opportunity to serve both my church and my family.  I pray that you would always remind me that it is only when I come to the end of myself, that you can take control of my life. Amen

As I was teaching last night at a VBS association meeting, I taught a class on going deeper.  When you here VBS you think snack, music, games, bible story, etc.  This year we are trying to encourage people to go deeper into VBS by forming relationships with kids, knowing and learning how to share the gospel on their level, and preparing spiritually our self for the task.  I had a lady tell me last night that she loved VBS but felt so inadequate, unworthy, and overall incapable of leading children.  I thought about that for a long time.  When you are in the ministry you hear those reasons a lot for whatever position you are trying to fill.  Sometimes they are just outright excuses because people don’t want to serve, but every once in a while a person will truly want to serve, but fears the role. 

If you are a person who is a not a genius, have no spectacular gifts, and really no overall special abilities.  If mediocrity seems to be where you hang out most of the time, and your day’s do not seem to be especially noteworthy.  I have news for you; in spite of this you have the ability to live a great life.  There was a man in the Bible named John the Baptist.  The Bible’s description of John is stark and brief.  He was arrayed in camel’s hair garments, secured by a leather belt, and his meals were of locust and wild honey.  Through God's direction, John the Baptist challenged the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by turning away from sin, as a symbol of repentance.  Although he held no power or influence in the Jewish political system, he delivered his message with the force of authority. People could not resist the overpowering truth of his words. And even as he attracted the attention of the crowds, he never lost sight of his mission—to point people to Christ.

The Bible never mentions that John the Baptist performed any type of miracles, or gave any signs from God.  He was not flashy, he held no political status, he lived in the wilderness, but yet these are the words Jesus spoke about him. “24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.  28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke)

John the Baptist is a great example for us.  He was a simple man, who had a passion for the Good News.  I am convinced it will be those simple people who took the gospel to third world countries, those in a grueling job who shared the gospel everyday, those who made horrible mistakes but teach the Word in prison, those who never compromised on moral standings against pressure, and those who supported and loved the homeless, who will indeed be the first in the Kingdom of God.  They will have been average people who carried out the Great Commission everyday of their life, which means they have fulfilled God’s plan for their life.  If you feel average today, allow me to share how much God loves you.  He has planted you in the very field he wants you to either sow, or reap. Be willing to be the voice that is heard and not seen, knowing it is those everyday, insignificant tasks we think are mundane, that can bring Glory to God.  So many times we do not see the potential that God sees.  I ask you today to not see life in its mediocrity, but see it as a chance to shine in the place God has placed you.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mathew 28:18-20

Dew is a source of freshness, and nature's provision for renewing the earth.  It falls at night, and without it vegetation would die.  The most interesting thing about dew is that it will never appear while there is either heat or wind.  The plants, the grass, the flowers must come to an absolute stillness before the invisible particles of moisture will rest on their surface.  It is safe for the plants in the stillness of the night to open their pores and receive the dew.

Just as dew falls to restore and refresh nature, as Christians we have to be renewed by Christ , our spiritual dew.  It was once said, "Many Christian workers do not recognize the importance of the heavenly due in their lives, and as a result lack freshness.  Their lives appear brittle and droop due to a lack of spiritual zest.  Many recognize the folly a a man trying to work all day without eating, but do you recognize the folly of a servant of God attempting to minister without eating of heavenly manna?" --Dr Pardington  

We as Christians must be willing to be still before the Lord, and open our hearts to receive the word.  Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"  Then in Titus 3:5 the Bible states, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit"  The renewal of the Holy Spirit only comes when we are willing to allow the Spirit to take control of our life.  Just as dew cannot be present during heat or wind, God cannot refresh us with sin in our life.  It is in the stillness when we bend before the Lord, with humility and repentance, that He is able to renew our body and mind.  Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


Allow God to fall on you today to renew your passions, your faith, and  your direction in Him.  


God's Stillness

Oh God, I need a stillness,
Deep within my soul,
That I may feel You ever near,
Though troubled waters roll.

Oh God, I need a stillness
To wait more patiently.
I know You hear my longing cry.
I know You'll answer me.
 
Oh God, I need a stillness
To meditate and pray,
A time to get to know You, Lord.
Much better every day. 

Oh God, I need a stillness,
My dry soul to renew.
I need Thy Holy Spirit's power
To fill me through and through.

Oh God, I need a stillness
To know Your perfect will,
To walk the path You'd have me walk.
To hear, "My child, be still."
~ Helen Dowd ~

What is a leader?  This is a broad question, and I am sure I would get a variety of answers.  I have been very fortunate in my life to have example of good leaders.  My family has always helped me do what is right.  Bro Wally has been a wonderful spiritual mentor for me for many years, and continues to be.  My sister-in-law has the ability to give advice from a godly standpoint, and not an emotional one. These are just a few examples of people who have leadership roles in different areas, but I don’t trust them because of their titles, family, pastor, professor, but because of their actions.  Webster’s dictionary defines leaders as “The quality of character and personality giving a person the ability to gain the confidence of and lead others.”  I find it very interesting to look at this subject because leaders are needed in every aspect of life.  Chick-fil-a is getting ready to host a leadership conference on May 10th.  On the promotional John Maxwell says this, “having people follow you because they have to is a starting point; you should never stay there, people should follow you because there is something worth following.”  That statement has made me think a lot about leadership, and the responsibility attached to it.

What does God say about leadership, and how does it look.  In Deuteronomy we find our first passage 1:13,  “Choose wise, understanding, knowledgeable men from your tribes, and I’ll put them in authority over you.”  Let's camp out here for a minute on the word wise.  Wisdom is not just about brains, and book knowledge.  Wisdom is about knowing what to do, having the right timing, and knowledge of the best way to accomplish the task.   There is another example  in James 3:3. “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Then it answers that question: “Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Who is wise among you? Not the person who knows the most, but James says, “is the person's whose works are done in wisdom.” In other words, he is the person who knows something about the principles of God's Word, but more importantly he applies that knowledge to the way he lives. That is what a wise man is. It is very important that we understand that wisdom consists of knowledge used appropriately.

Let’s look at our second verse James 3:17 it tells us, “17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” The Greek word rendered “gentle” in this verse is referring to “the quality not being overly impressed with a since of one’s self-importance.” When we are placed in authority we should never abuse that power.  True wisdom has a gentleness about it.  James says it is “peaceable”.  Harsh people are never considered wise. They are always ready to give their opinion at a moments notice, but rarely think it through for longer than a minute.  

The scariest leaders are those who bask in their power over others.  They use their power to say whatever they feel like, to whomever they want, and usually leave a path of destruction a mile wide.  General statements usually follow these people such as you know how they are, or just try to ignore them; my favorite let it go in one ear and out the other.  The truth is there is no excuse for anyone to act this way.  If you have ever worked in the medical field you are probably very familiar with these statements.  In the OR orthopedic surgeons can be a little over bearing to say the least.  However, there was one who was very mild manner, and was always willing to help however needed.  Although we would try to be prepared for everyone, we always tried to go over the top for this particular surgeon because everyone appreciated his willingness to work, just like we did. 

The point is you cannot will authority over anyone.  They may have to do what you say, but respect will never be earned. Jesus did not force His power but continually modeled an effective leader.  Mathew 20 … whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

One of the important things James points out as well is sincerity.  Being a leader is called being in the people business.  For example, I never want anyone who serves in my children’s ministry to feel like they are just a warm body to me.  First of all do you know how hard it is to find workers, then you know I definitely want to keep all I have, but honestly I have no ministry without them.  They truly are the hands and feet of the ministry.  So I want them to know I genuinely concerned about them, their family, and their class.

The last point is being a peacemaker.  Do we promote peace and try to bring oneness to those around us, or do we continually stir the pot?  Please do not mistake peacemaking for weakness.  There will always be times to take a bold stand, but there will be many times that a soft word will detour an emotional hurricane.

I ask you today are your leadership skills; whether it is in your family, your job, your church, your social group, etc., matching up with God’s credentials?  For ten years God and I have been hammering this out in my life.  I am definitely not perfect, but amazed that He has brought me this far.  I am constantly asking Him to improve me; and He constantly agrees if I am willing to be molded in the potter’s hand. 

Here are a few inspiring quotes about leadership:

He who has never learned to obey 
cannot be a good commander.
Aristotle

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jr

“Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They think, 'I'll get a bigger job, then I'll learn how to be a leader.' But showing leadership skill is how you get the bigger job in the first place. Leadership isn't a position, it's a process.” John Maxwell

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.” John Maxwell

“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves” Unknown

“A leader is not an administrator who loves to run others, but someone who carries water for his people so that they can get on with their jobs” Robert Townsend