Just a thought on Leadership

So many times I have heard people say that they wished they knew the scriptures to speak into lives of friends and loved ones. Maybe their loved one was going through a tough time and needed some encouragement. There is one problem here though... You can't lead someone without first going in front of them. Meaning you can't take them where you haven't been. This being said, you can't take someone through the council of the Word of God if you first don't spend time in it and know it! I am part of a generation that wants to have all the answers, but hasn't spent the time investing in the word! It all comes from the "Law of the Harvest". You must sow if you want to reap! There is no Walmart for scripture answers! You must go into the presence of God Almighty yourself, to be able to lead someone else there! The more time we spend at the foot of the cross, and in the Word and in Prayer, the more we know how to lead others during those tough times. This will also keep us from falling to sin in our own lives. Whether you know it or not, we are all leading someone! So just how and where are you leading them? Just a thought!

Psalm 119:11 (New International Version)

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.


Blessings,

Phillip

What Next?

What next?

This week, I was watching the older movie "The Ten Commandments" with my family. A part really stood out to me and I think that even though it came from a Hollywood depiction, that it rings true in our own lives and Christian walk. The part in which I speak, Moses has already went before Pharoh repeatedly. Now the nation of Israel are on the beginning of a great exodus when they arrive at the red sea. The very first thing the people throughout the nation begin whinning. Their leader, Moses I am sure was confused, but knew that God had it all under control. All of a sudden here comes Pharoh and his army to destroy Israel. Now the nation is under extreme fear and Joshua turns to Moses and asks what they are to do now. Moses tells Joshua to tell all the men to move back from trying to block Pharoh. Joshua asks "Move back where, to the sea" and Moses responds "Into the hand of God". The people now driven only by fear, forget about all that God has done to bring them this far and are ready to turn on Moses. Moses, instead of being scared of them (or his circumstances), chastises them for their lack of faith. Then tells them to fear not and be still and see the salvation of the Lord. Then Dathan (the troublemaker) again stirs up some stuff and says well, where are we to go now, into the see? Moses in total confidence in God says... "God will do battle for us, behold His mighty hand"! And of course at this point the red sea opens and the nation of Israel go across on dry land. O.k. I know that was a lot of back drop for a simple truth, but here it goes. Moses was in a position of leadership. Whether you know it or not, we are all leading someone. Whether it be our families, friends, ministries, coworkers, or just leading by the influence of our lives. There will always be moments of uncertainty, there will always be times where it seems like everyone around you turns on you. There may be times where you feel all alone, but you aren't. The God of the universe is right there with you. He will never leave or forsake you is what His word tells us. Even in the midst of what may seem like a personal disaster, the challenge I see in this is to "Fear Not, be still, and see the salvation of the Lord". The Lord will do battle for us! We are to just be faithful and put our trust in Him and watch Him work. You know, I have heard it said that when you have done all you can do, do the next thing. I never really cared for that, because it seems like empty advice. When you are at the end of your rope, then you don't want to hear that kind of advice. But when you put it into this kind of context with the situation in the movie, it changes everything. It becomes when you've done all you can, fear not, be still and see the salvation of the Lord. My encouragement in this is to know that no matter what the situation around you, that the almighty God of all creation is right there with you. The next move is to move into the hand of God. In all confidence, know that He is God our refuge, our salvation, our deliverer! Let Him battle for us. Allow this to be a faith builder and an addition to the testimony of your life! May God richly bless all of your lives!

For the Glory of God alone,

Follow the leader...

It is amazing to me how God has used so many simple little things in my life to help me grasp greater concepts. We have just had a nice snowfall here where I am living, and my wife and I had taken our two girls out to play in the snow. Well the snow was really deep to my girls, so I made the offer... "I'll lead the way and you can follow in my footprints". At first, that just seemed like the nice fatherlike thing to do. But something that I thought was so simple, God used to remind me of my roll as a father. I am to lead my family! To lead them to safety, to lead them to happiness, to lead them towards a healthy lifestyle, to lead them to morals, to lead them in integrity, but most importantly to lead them into a place where they can experience a true and thriving relationship with Jesus Christ! I have been a Youth Pastor and working with you for approximately 8 years, and I have seen a strong decline in the amount of men that live up to their God given responsibilities to their families! Some men, take too large of a stride with their steps, and their families cannot keep up. Some walk to close to the edge of a drop off, and it would be hazardous for the kids to follow. Some just walk through every thing, mud, thorns, thickets, and all without a thought of those following them, they are just concerned with themselves. As fathers, we have all assumed the God given rolls as leaders of our homes. My question is when was the last time that you stopped and looked behind you to see if you could be followed? If your children were to follow directly in your footsteps, would they be lead in integrity or would they be headed for a drop off? As leaders, when we walk, we must take steps in a way that they can be followed. We must not make them so big that they are unreachable by little legs. We must lead them into a real and alive relationship with Jesus! So, when was the last time that your children saw you flip off the tv and read the Bible? When was the last time that they saw you on your knees praying? (bedtimes and meal times are important, but they need to see more!) How are they going to learn how to reach into the thrown room of heaven, if you don't lead the way? Just something to thing about as you take steps through your day.

Proverbs 10:9 (New International Version)

9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.



In His Service,
Pastor Phillip B.

Lost???

Have you ever been lost and trying to find your way? I think at some time in our lives, we can all admit to that. I am sitting here downloading updates on my GPS system for my truck and I began to think just how nice it makes finding your way around. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a "Spiritual Positioning System" (SPS)? But then I thought about it a little bit more, and we really do have this! We actually have a map/guide book and a realtime life guide all at the same time! We have the Bible as our map to direct us through life, and we have the voice of the Holy Spirit directing us on a turn by turn basis, just like a GPS would. So many times we don't take advantage of these free gifts from God, and we try to navigate this life on our own power...(which we always find out is a big mistake when we make a mess of it!) I would like to encourage you all this morning by saying... If you have been trying to navigate this life alone, then you might want to consult the map book (Bible). There is always a set of directions to take you from where you are to where you are supposed to be! Also, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit trying to guide you! We have a loving God and Savior through Jesus Christ, and He desires a true relationship with you! He wants to talk to you and you to Him! He doesn't just want to be a fire insurance policy for you!!!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight

May God richly bless you as you turn to Him for direction!