"A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries. In this regard, it is expected of managers that each be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2 CSB)
Jesus told a parable about a man who entrusted his estate to three servants, also referred to as managers, stewards, and slaves. He gave one manager five talents of gold, two talents of gold to the second, and one talent of gold to the third. He then went away for awhile. When he returned for an accounting, the first manager reported a 100% gain of five more talents of gold. The second manager gained two more talents of gold, or a 100% gain. The third manager gained nothing. He had buried the gold and done nothing with it, so he just brought it back to the master. The owner commended the first two managers for their faithfulness, but he scolded the third manager and had him thrown out.
Question: Why did the owner take this action against the third manager? He did so for two reasons: 1) the man had an opportunity before him but totally disregarded it and, thus, the owner as well, and 2) the manager demonstrated faithlessness; he was not faithful to the master in the least, which means there was no faith to begin with.
Faithfulness presupposes faith. Faith always results in faithfulness, so when faithfulness is not there, then neither is faith. When we see faithfulness, that points us to faith. The one requirement of a manager or steward is faith that is demonstrated by faithfulness. That is what honors God.
Lord, May our faith be expressed and demonstrated to the world we live in this day, and may that bring glory and honor to You. Amen.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Building with Care
“If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13 CSB)
Believers in the Corinthian church were factious. Some were of the “Paul faction,” some of the “Peter faction,” and some of the “Apollos faction.” Then, there were those of the “Christ faction.” Battle lines were drawn according to faction.
The divisions in the Corinthian church greatly distressed Paul, and it was much the background subject of what he had to say to them. He made the point strongly that there was only one Foundation for the church, and that is Jesus Christ. All that has followed since then has been that which is built on the one Foundation. Every individual builds on it, and every church corporately builds on it.
Paul used a very interesting metaphor to help us think about how we build on the Foundation of Christ. Essentially, he points to two types of building materials: 1) those that can be destroyed by fire, and 2) those that cannot. Wood, hay, and straw, which were common building materials in Paul’s day, cannot withstand fire. Gold, silver, and costly stones can survive fire. Part of his point is that “fire” is going to come, so that each man’s work and each woman’s work as well is going to be tested for its durability.
This text is pointing us toward our stewardship as servants of the Lord. The main point Paul is making is that each of us must take careful thought with regard to how we build and what we build on the Foundation. We need to be sure that we build in ways that will endure, in ways that will provide a lasting testimony to the glory of God. Careful thought which focuses on the eternal leads us toward building that yields that kind of testimony.
Lord, Help us to take the time to give the kind of thought to our service to You that will guide us toward building for the eternal, for that will brings the greater glory to You. Amen.
Believers in the Corinthian church were factious. Some were of the “Paul faction,” some of the “Peter faction,” and some of the “Apollos faction.” Then, there were those of the “Christ faction.” Battle lines were drawn according to faction.
The divisions in the Corinthian church greatly distressed Paul, and it was much the background subject of what he had to say to them. He made the point strongly that there was only one Foundation for the church, and that is Jesus Christ. All that has followed since then has been that which is built on the one Foundation. Every individual builds on it, and every church corporately builds on it.
Paul used a very interesting metaphor to help us think about how we build on the Foundation of Christ. Essentially, he points to two types of building materials: 1) those that can be destroyed by fire, and 2) those that cannot. Wood, hay, and straw, which were common building materials in Paul’s day, cannot withstand fire. Gold, silver, and costly stones can survive fire. Part of his point is that “fire” is going to come, so that each man’s work and each woman’s work as well is going to be tested for its durability.
This text is pointing us toward our stewardship as servants of the Lord. The main point Paul is making is that each of us must take careful thought with regard to how we build and what we build on the Foundation. We need to be sure that we build in ways that will endure, in ways that will provide a lasting testimony to the glory of God. Careful thought which focuses on the eternal leads us toward building that yields that kind of testimony.
Lord, Help us to take the time to give the kind of thought to our service to You that will guide us toward building for the eternal, for that will brings the greater glory to You. Amen.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Real Security
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 CSB)
The day of Moses’ death was rapidly approaching, and he summoned Israel to gather and hear the word of the Lord. Among other admonitions he made was this one above. He knew that Israel was about to have a new leader – Joshua – and that they were about to cross the Jordan where they would face battle and struggle and temptation. He knew the rumors that were abundant among the Israelites about the strength of the foes they would face in Canaan. Therefore, he needed for them to understand the greater spiritual reality that would provide them with a far greater security than their bows, arrows, and swords. He reminded them that the Lord was going there with them, and that the Lord would never leave them or forsake them.
We all face numerous struggles and temptations and “battles” in life, and these can create all sorts of insecurities within. They have the potential for even paralyzing us into inaction. But what we have to remember is that the Lord our God is walking with us, as we walk with Him, and He will never ever leave us or forsake us or abandon us. He is always with us, as He promised He would be. The fact of His indwelling presence in us through the Holy Spirit creates real security in the face of any life situation we may encounter. God is trustworthy and faithful, and He will be with us to guide and strengthen us.
Father, We thank You that You never leave or forsake us, and that You go with us into each day. May we rely on You and Your strength each day. Amen.
The day of Moses’ death was rapidly approaching, and he summoned Israel to gather and hear the word of the Lord. Among other admonitions he made was this one above. He knew that Israel was about to have a new leader – Joshua – and that they were about to cross the Jordan where they would face battle and struggle and temptation. He knew the rumors that were abundant among the Israelites about the strength of the foes they would face in Canaan. Therefore, he needed for them to understand the greater spiritual reality that would provide them with a far greater security than their bows, arrows, and swords. He reminded them that the Lord was going there with them, and that the Lord would never leave them or forsake them.
We all face numerous struggles and temptations and “battles” in life, and these can create all sorts of insecurities within. They have the potential for even paralyzing us into inaction. But what we have to remember is that the Lord our God is walking with us, as we walk with Him, and He will never ever leave us or forsake us or abandon us. He is always with us, as He promised He would be. The fact of His indwelling presence in us through the Holy Spirit creates real security in the face of any life situation we may encounter. God is trustworthy and faithful, and He will be with us to guide and strengthen us.
Father, We thank You that You never leave or forsake us, and that You go with us into each day. May we rely on You and Your strength each day. Amen.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Two Sons
“But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go, work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I don’t want to! Yet later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered. But he didn’t go. Which of the two did his father’s will? ‘The first,’ they said.” (Matthew 21:28-31 CSB)
Jesus told this parable in the temple complex during the days leading up to His crucifixion, and He told it during the challenges that came from the priests, scribes, and Pharisees. He followed the parable with a rather terse statement to these men, to say to them that those who do the will of God are not those who say they will but don’t, but rather are those who may first say they will not but then turn around and actually do carry out the will of God. His point was that those people these men considered “sinners” who repented at the preaching of John the Baptist would enter the kingdom of God, while those who considered themselves righteous before God but who rejected the will of God by not believing John and coming to repentance would not enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus was not saying that it is those who do good works who enter the kingdom; it is those who repent, turn to God in faith, and then carry out the will of God as a result of their faith who enter the kingdom.
Later on, as recorded in John’s gospel, Jesus said to His disciples, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” We do not carry out His commandments in order to get Him to love us, because His love for us is already at the maximum. We carry out His commandments because we love Him. Pure and simple.
Lord, Today, may we remember all that You have commanded us, and may we out of our love for You do what You have commanded. Amen.
Jesus told this parable in the temple complex during the days leading up to His crucifixion, and He told it during the challenges that came from the priests, scribes, and Pharisees. He followed the parable with a rather terse statement to these men, to say to them that those who do the will of God are not those who say they will but don’t, but rather are those who may first say they will not but then turn around and actually do carry out the will of God. His point was that those people these men considered “sinners” who repented at the preaching of John the Baptist would enter the kingdom of God, while those who considered themselves righteous before God but who rejected the will of God by not believing John and coming to repentance would not enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus was not saying that it is those who do good works who enter the kingdom; it is those who repent, turn to God in faith, and then carry out the will of God as a result of their faith who enter the kingdom.
Later on, as recorded in John’s gospel, Jesus said to His disciples, “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” We do not carry out His commandments in order to get Him to love us, because His love for us is already at the maximum. We carry out His commandments because we love Him. Pure and simple.
Lord, Today, may we remember all that You have commanded us, and may we out of our love for You do what You have commanded. Amen.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Servant Leaders
“But Jesus called them over and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life – a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28 CSB)
The world has known many great leaders in human history, people who changed the course of history in some way or had an impact far beyond their immediate life. Names come to mind like Joseph, Hammurabi, Moses, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Constantine, Mohammad, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and on and on. But atop the list of all of them is the name “Jesus.” Jesus was the greatest Leader of all time. And His leadership was unlike anything the world would expect. His leadership was “servant leadership.”
The kind of leadership the world espouses is the kind that uses force in some measure to lead people to conform to the dictates of the leader. Jesus pointed out that fact to the disciples, who were used to and expecting that kind of leadership. At the same time, He pointed out to them that anyone who wants to become great – in that case, this applied to all of the disciples, not just James and John – must become a servant and the slave of all, following His example. The world tends to see this as weakness, but actually, just the opposite is true. A servant leader is one who unlocks the potential of others and empowers them to accomplish their goals. The leader accomplishes his goals at the same time when he or she does this.
If John Maxwell’s definition of leadership is correct (he says that leadership is influence), then servant leadership is the highest expression of that concept, because through influence another person to become the best that he or she can possibly become, the leader’s influence grows continually in the perceptions of those who have been “freed up” to fulfill their potential. And if leadership is influence, every one of us can lead others in at least some measure. If we want to be the best leaders we can be, then servant leadership is the way to do this.
Lord, Help us today to implement Your teachings about leadership, for Your glory. Amen.
The world has known many great leaders in human history, people who changed the course of history in some way or had an impact far beyond their immediate life. Names come to mind like Joseph, Hammurabi, Moses, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Constantine, Mohammad, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and on and on. But atop the list of all of them is the name “Jesus.” Jesus was the greatest Leader of all time. And His leadership was unlike anything the world would expect. His leadership was “servant leadership.”
The kind of leadership the world espouses is the kind that uses force in some measure to lead people to conform to the dictates of the leader. Jesus pointed out that fact to the disciples, who were used to and expecting that kind of leadership. At the same time, He pointed out to them that anyone who wants to become great – in that case, this applied to all of the disciples, not just James and John – must become a servant and the slave of all, following His example. The world tends to see this as weakness, but actually, just the opposite is true. A servant leader is one who unlocks the potential of others and empowers them to accomplish their goals. The leader accomplishes his goals at the same time when he or she does this.
If John Maxwell’s definition of leadership is correct (he says that leadership is influence), then servant leadership is the highest expression of that concept, because through influence another person to become the best that he or she can possibly become, the leader’s influence grows continually in the perceptions of those who have been “freed up” to fulfill their potential. And if leadership is influence, every one of us can lead others in at least some measure. If we want to be the best leaders we can be, then servant leadership is the way to do this.
Lord, Help us today to implement Your teachings about leadership, for Your glory. Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
All Things Are Possible
"But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26 CSB)
The context of the verse above is the story of the “rich young ruler.” Jesus had said to the disciples that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. This disciples’ response was, “Then who can be saved?” Then came the words of Jesus in the verse above.
Jesus was not saying that rich people cannot be saved. He was using something called “hyperbole” (exaggeration) to make the point that those who are rich are often so drawn to their wealth that God and their commitment to Him and to faith are either a much lower priority or irrelevant to them. To make sure the disciples understood His meaning, He then said that with God all things are possible.
That is the background of this verse, but the principle is true in all situations. All things are indeed possible with God.
One reason this is true is that God is the One who decides what will and will not be done. He has the sovereign authority to make any decision He wants to me, and He always makes the right decision.
Another reason all things are possible with God is that God has the power to do anything. There is nothing God cannot accomplish. He not only has all authority, but He has all power.
All of us face situations that may appear to have resolutions that are impossible, sooner or later. We may not be able to see beyond the problem, to begin with, and even if we do, we still may not see any way that WE can bring resolution. But as believers, we know that all things are possible with God, and, therefore, to Him we appeal and present our requests. We then must trust Him to either do what we have asked, or to tell us to wait, or to tell us no. We must trust that God knows what He is doing.
Lord, We recognize that with You all things are possible. In those situations, or events, or circumstances, or problems, help us to bring them to You and trust You to do what is right. Amen.
The context of the verse above is the story of the “rich young ruler.” Jesus had said to the disciples that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. This disciples’ response was, “Then who can be saved?” Then came the words of Jesus in the verse above.
Jesus was not saying that rich people cannot be saved. He was using something called “hyperbole” (exaggeration) to make the point that those who are rich are often so drawn to their wealth that God and their commitment to Him and to faith are either a much lower priority or irrelevant to them. To make sure the disciples understood His meaning, He then said that with God all things are possible.
That is the background of this verse, but the principle is true in all situations. All things are indeed possible with God.
One reason this is true is that God is the One who decides what will and will not be done. He has the sovereign authority to make any decision He wants to me, and He always makes the right decision.
Another reason all things are possible with God is that God has the power to do anything. There is nothing God cannot accomplish. He not only has all authority, but He has all power.
All of us face situations that may appear to have resolutions that are impossible, sooner or later. We may not be able to see beyond the problem, to begin with, and even if we do, we still may not see any way that WE can bring resolution. But as believers, we know that all things are possible with God, and, therefore, to Him we appeal and present our requests. We then must trust Him to either do what we have asked, or to tell us to wait, or to tell us no. We must trust that God knows what He is doing.
Lord, We recognize that with You all things are possible. In those situations, or events, or circumstances, or problems, help us to bring them to You and trust You to do what is right. Amen.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Transfigured
“He was transformed in front of them, and His face show like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2 CSB)
What an awesome experience that must have been! Peter, James, and John were invited up the mountain with Jesus to witness this event. Before their very eyes Jesus was transfigured. The word used for this is the one that gives us our word “metamorphosis,” which is the process we use to describe how a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. The appearance of Jesus’ face and His clothes as well were transfigured and glowed brightly with brilliant light. Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus. Since Peter, James, and John had never met those two, it is likely that they knew this either because Jesus spoke their names or later told them that it was Moses and Elijah. What terrified Peter, James, and John the most, however, was when a bright cloud enveloped them and they heard a voice that said, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!” Jesus then led them down the mountain, with the command that they not tell anyone about the event until after the resurrection. The reason for this was something scholars call “the messianic secret,” which means that Jesus did not want some aspects of His experiences revealed to the public, because He wanted to prevent people from coming to try to make Him an earthly king.
Things are not always the way they appear to be. We live in this physical reality, and to us that is what constitutes reality. We do not know anything else, experientially at least. So, we have a tendency to think that what we see is what we get. But the transfiguration of Jesus teaches us that there is another reality, a higher reality and existence. It teaches us that the reality we know here on this earth pales by comparison to the reality to which we are going as believers, and that that reality will be brilliant with light and glory from the presence of God. In a words, we call this “heaven.” And for us, there will come a “transfiguration” that will usher us into the very presence of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Something to look forward to.
Lord, We thank You for this brief “revelation” of heaven that gives us such assurance and peace. Amen.
What an awesome experience that must have been! Peter, James, and John were invited up the mountain with Jesus to witness this event. Before their very eyes Jesus was transfigured. The word used for this is the one that gives us our word “metamorphosis,” which is the process we use to describe how a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. The appearance of Jesus’ face and His clothes as well were transfigured and glowed brightly with brilliant light. Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus. Since Peter, James, and John had never met those two, it is likely that they knew this either because Jesus spoke their names or later told them that it was Moses and Elijah. What terrified Peter, James, and John the most, however, was when a bright cloud enveloped them and they heard a voice that said, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!” Jesus then led them down the mountain, with the command that they not tell anyone about the event until after the resurrection. The reason for this was something scholars call “the messianic secret,” which means that Jesus did not want some aspects of His experiences revealed to the public, because He wanted to prevent people from coming to try to make Him an earthly king.
Things are not always the way they appear to be. We live in this physical reality, and to us that is what constitutes reality. We do not know anything else, experientially at least. So, we have a tendency to think that what we see is what we get. But the transfiguration of Jesus teaches us that there is another reality, a higher reality and existence. It teaches us that the reality we know here on this earth pales by comparison to the reality to which we are going as believers, and that that reality will be brilliant with light and glory from the presence of God. In a words, we call this “heaven.” And for us, there will come a “transfiguration” that will usher us into the very presence of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Something to look forward to.
Lord, We thank You for this brief “revelation” of heaven that gives us such assurance and peace. Amen.
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