Wow. I don't even know where to begin. God has just really been hitting me with this over the last week or so as He has been teaching me about leadership. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus promises that the pure in heart will see God. The pure in heart.. what does that mean. We immediately think of clean or undefiled, but it also means an undivided heart. In other words, a heart that has one passion and goal and that will not be taken off course. How can we, as sinful man/woman, have such a heart? Yet throughout scripture, God promises that those with clean hands and a pure heart can ascend the hill of the Lord to see Him (Ps 24). In Genesis 1, God creates us to bear His image - to be righteous and holy - to know and walk with Him. Colossians 1:16 says we were created by Him and for Him. So God created us to know Him and to be like Him in our character - our heart. But I look at my heart.. ouch. In Ezekiel 36, though, God promises that He is going to do something new that will make it possible for us to have a new heart - the heart we were meant to embody. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17 sheds light on this - "In Christ, we are a new creation. The old has passed and behold, all things are made new." In Christ, we are a new creation. We are given a new heart solely by the work of God. In 1 John 3:3 it says, "Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 Peter 1:16 says, "It is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"So, a new heart is the work of God, but when we are given Christ, we are a new creation that is called to know God and to obey Him - to be holy. Is it possible to be 25% holy? 50%? 90%? I don't believe so. Holiness is a state of being, not a partial state. We are either wholly holy, or not at all. Ephesians 4:23-24 calls us to "be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness to the truth." If we are in Christ, we are a new creation in which the image/likeness of God has been created within us (that which we were created to reflect) in righteousness and holiness. This holiness and righteousness is not our own. It is God's. He places His righteousness and holiness on us through His Son. I know I am getting really deep, but this is powerful truth. God does not call us to something that is not possible. He has made a way for us to be wholly holy - to be pure in heart - to live with one passion and purpose. This is what He created us for in the beginning, and what He has restored us to in Christ. Acts 17:26-28 tells us that God created man that we might seek and know Him. This is our purpose and our goal - to seek and know God. He made it possible through Christ, because only in Christ can an unholy being be made wholly holy that he/she can enter into the wholly holy presence of God.
Ok, back to reality. So what does this mean for me? For us? It means, am I willing to ask God to search my whole heart - to shed His light on all that I am - to reveal where my heart is divided? He has that ability. He knows the intentions of the heart, and He alone has the power to create a new heart within me. So, step one.. "God, search my heart. All of it. Bring to light all that which is unpleasing to Your name and Your will in my life. Shed light on my sin and break the chains that so easily bind me. Reveal the areas that are distraction for my heart, that You might be my sole passion and purpose. Let no area of my heart and life go undetected and unchecked. Search it all. You have called me to holiness, and that does not mean partial holiness. You have made me new in Your image that I might fully reflect and embody Your holiness and righteousness. So please, destroy every part of me that refuses that purpose and task. I ask these things that I might truly live the life You created me for - the life that brings You the most glory and honor. Amen."
Now, step two. In 1 Peter 1:22, Peter calls those who have salvation to purify themselves as He is pure. What this means is I have to be willing to let go... to give up the things God brings to light. God will not force me to give up these things. He will bring them to light and give me a new heart, but I have to choose to walk in it. Proverbs 4:23 calls us to watch over our hearts, for they are the well-spring of life. I have to choose to watch over it... Ps 119:9-10 says, "How can a young man keep his ways pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; Do not let me stray from you." This process is one of action and prayer. It is not enough to do the right things.... The Pharisees were really good at that, but Jesus said their hearts were wicked and far from Him. No, it is about the heart. The heart is made pure by knowing and obey His word.. for the purpose of knowing Him. We seek Him with our whole heart. And in this, we rely on Him and not our own strength. The psalmist begs God, "Do not let me stray from You." This is our cry because our goal and motivation is not to be holy, but to know God.
So, am I willing to let Him deal with every part of my heart and life that is not of Him? Are you? We were created by Him and for Him. He is our maker, owner, and redeemer. Why should I fear letting Him have all of me? There is no reason except pride and my flesh. Both of which, when I study their affects on my past and present, bring nothing but pain, loneliness, and death. God spoke and created life from nothing. He is the author and perfecter of life. Why should I not trust Him? There is no reason at all. I invite you to pray and pursue these things with me, and I ask you to pray for me. There is so much in my flesh that refuses to let go, but I know God is greater. He has not created me to walk in lust, fear, and doubt. He has created me to reflect His image - holiness, boldness, and purity of heart. Thank you for laboring and fighting alongside of me!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
The Goal and Trial of Leadership
I feel called this morning to share and be transparent about what God is teaching me. These are the culmination of my notes from my study/prayer time over the past few days. The quotes and passages set up the understanding, application, and prayer. I apologize for its length, but if you stick with it I hope and pray that God uses this to challenge each of you as much as He is challenging me.
2 Chronicles 22:11
Wow. Leadership really does matter... and motive does as well. Jehoiada and his wife saved Joash from being murdered... and then they anoint him as the rightful king and lead him to be a great king for the people.. he restores the temple and destroys idol worship.. until Jehoiada dies. After that, Joash goes crazy and turns the people away from God. Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, comes to rebuke the king and the people, but Joash has him killed. The son of the man who saved his life, he murders. How did such a turn happen? Jehoiada walked in God's will for the purpose of honoring God and obeying Him. Joash followed Jehoiada's leading until his presence was gone. Joash never learned to follow God's will. So, once Jehoiada was gone, Joash rebelled against God's will and murdered the son of the one who had given him such a life. After Zechariah is killed, God brings judgment on Joash and the people. The importance of leadership is really seen in this passage. Godly leadership will save lives and draw nations to God. Ungodly leadership will destroy the lives of the ones who would seek to save their people.. and it ultimately brings destruction on the entire nation.
So, for me today. God is really continuing to teach me about leadership from My Upmost for His Highest and from His word. He knew I would be reading these two things together... this year.. at this time.. and this season in my life. He is giving me application and examples and facing me with a question. Will I become the leader He has called me to be?
"In the natural life our ambitions alter as we develop; in the Christian life the goal is given at the beginning, the beginning and the end are the same, our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and we end with Him - 'until we all attain the stature of the manhood of Christ Jesus,' not to our idea of what the Christian life should be. The aim of the missionary is to do God's will, not to be useful, not to win the heathen; he is useful and he does win the heathen, but that is not his aim. His aim is to do the will of his Lord."
-Oswald Chambers
"The sense of sacrifice appeals readily to a young Christian...The 'go' of preparation is to let the word of God scrutinize. The sense of heroic sacrifice is not good enough. The thing the Holy Spirit is detecting in you is the disposition that will never work in His service."
- Oswald Chambers
"Sanctification is a lifelong process and not an event."
2 Chronicles 22:11
"So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, hid Joash from Athaliah so that she would not put him to death."
2 Chronicles 23 - Jehoiada makes Joash king and makes a covenant with the people and the king that they would be God's people
2 Chronicles 24:2
"Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest."
2 Chronicles 24:17-18a, 22
"But after the death of Johoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord...Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Johoiada had shown him, but her murdered his son."
Wow. Leadership really does matter... and motive does as well. Jehoiada and his wife saved Joash from being murdered... and then they anoint him as the rightful king and lead him to be a great king for the people.. he restores the temple and destroys idol worship.. until Jehoiada dies. After that, Joash goes crazy and turns the people away from God. Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, comes to rebuke the king and the people, but Joash has him killed. The son of the man who saved his life, he murders. How did such a turn happen? Jehoiada walked in God's will for the purpose of honoring God and obeying Him. Joash followed Jehoiada's leading until his presence was gone. Joash never learned to follow God's will. So, once Jehoiada was gone, Joash rebelled against God's will and murdered the son of the one who had given him such a life. After Zechariah is killed, God brings judgment on Joash and the people. The importance of leadership is really seen in this passage. Godly leadership will save lives and draw nations to God. Ungodly leadership will destroy the lives of the ones who would seek to save their people.. and it ultimately brings destruction on the entire nation.
So, for me today. God is really continuing to teach me about leadership from My Upmost for His Highest and from His word. He knew I would be reading these two things together... this year.. at this time.. and this season in my life. He is giving me application and examples and facing me with a question. Will I become the leader He has called me to be?
Leadership is a gift form God, and it only fails if we walk outside of His will. If one will walk in His will, however, it will save lives and lead peoples to Him. To be that kind of man, though, requires the scrutiny of God's word. The Holy Spirit must bring to light all that which is in me that would hinder me from walking in that way, and as He does this work, He will teach me to know the will of God. A truly godly leader has had his character and metal tested and knows the will of God. In all things, he desires to walk out that will. This gives one the power to stand on His word and not be tossed around by the approval of man. Why? If our aim is God Himself - knowing Him and walking in His will - the approval of man does not matter because the approval of God is all we seek! This is freedom. In this type of life there is complete freedom to be you without fear because you know that all you are is God's. This is the life and leadership I desire. But I also see from this passage in 2 Chronicles 24 the importance of reproducing leadership. Jehoiada taught Joash to do a lot of good, but he must not have dealt with Joash's heart and character. Why do I say that? The moment Jehoiada is gone, Joash turns form God and even murders Jehoiada's son. So if leadership ends with me, it will fail. If leadership ends with God, it will never fail. The point of leadership is not me or anyone else but God, and when we lead people to God and the scrutiny of His word, He will transform their heart and character and pass on truly godly leadership from generation to generation... when this type of leadership/discipleship happens, all the ends of the earth will be reached and Christ will return. Then why are we not motivated to do it? Why do I so often fail to pursue this? The wickedness of my heart. It desires the approval of man and the satisfaction of the flesh, but may Christ crucify it! That is not the purpose for which I was created, nor anyone for that matter. We were created by Him and for Him - to know Him and be satisfied in Him alone. If this is our upmost goal, which is the true Christian life goal, then we will find Him. We will know His will and walk in it, and this generation and those to come will be changed forever. It is time to stop playing around. It begins though, with truly allowing God to scrutinize all that I am. It was easy when He called me to salvation to admit my need and hand things over, but it is harder now. Sanctification, though, is not an event or moment, but a lifestyle. I have to allow and desire for Him to bring all that I am - everything - under His rule and will. For this to happen, He must be the goal and the motivation. Nothing else will satisfy or last. It is so easy to get excited at the chance to reach the nations.. but reaching the nations is not the goal. Don't hear me wrong when I say that. The goal is not the nations. The goal is God. The reason we lay our lives down for the nations is to obey God. The reason anyone would respond to the gospel is God. It is not about me or us in any way. It is about Him. So if my goal is the nations and not knowing and savoring Christ, then I will fail. If my goal is knowing and savoring Christ, then the nations will be reached. When I can get my head around that truth, it will motivate me to allow Him to bring every sin, even the tinniest, under the scrutiny of His eye and hand it over to Him.
"Father, I beg you to shine your light into my heart - to reveal all that I am. Use Your Word and Your Holy Spirit to convict and transform my heart in all things. Bring all that I am under Your will, no matter how hard it is and how much it hurts, for this is the reason I was made - to know You and obey You. May Your passion become my passion. May Your will be my will. Destroy my pride and selfishness and replace them with true humility and sacrificial love. I ask these things that I might live a life worthy of Your name, that I might please You in every good thing, that I might bear fruit for Your kingdom, and most of all, that I might walk in Your will. May my motivation and goal be You and You alone. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Leadership
Today, I would like to share just what God is placing on my heart and challenging me on and ask that you would pray along with me and for me. My reading this morning was in 2 Chronicles 21 - looking at the life and reign of Jehoram. There are examples in God's word that you want to follow.. and ones you do not. Jehoram is one you do not want to follow. God placed Him as king over His people, but Jehoram turned from God and sought foreign God's. On top of that, Jehoram taught the people to do so as well. Vs 11 says he taught them to play the harlot and led them astray. God then sends word through the prophet Elijah that Jehoram's family will pay for his sin, that all will be taken from him, and that he will suffer from a terrible bowel disease that will eventually see his bowels come out. That is a grotesque and hard to swallow punishment. God sends armies to capture cities, take away Jehoram's wealth, power, and family. On top of that, the bowel disease takes 2 painful years to finally kill him. I know God is not a harsh God and quick to anger, but there is something in this story He is really challenging me with today. Everything is about His glory and honor. When He grants leadership to someone, it is to lead His people into a deeper and more glorifying relationship with Him that calls all peoples to praise Him. So, to whom much is given, much is expected. To rebel against God's purpose in granting one leadership, will lead to serious consequences. Why? Because God is passionate about the honor and glory of His name. He will not allow it to be debased. This lead me to ask myself 2 questions. 1) Will I be faithful in obedience with the leadership He has given me to lead people closer to Him? 2) Will I make it about me like Jehoram and or lazy like the man who was given one talent who hid it for fear of the master?
I want desperately to live out that first one. But I know my heart. My heart is fearful - afraid to fail. My heart is lazy and selfish. Yet, for some reason God has given me wisdom and understanding beyond me. He has placed me in leadership over and over again, and again and again I ask why? I don't deserve it. More often than not, I don't want it. I don't want it because if He grants it, then I am afraid I will fail Him. Today, I am reminded that failing Him is rejecting His plan and His way. The only way I can fail is to reject the path He has for me. He has given me leadership and understanding for His glory. If I reject that path, He will be swift to discipline me before I defame His name. If I walk in His will and seek His glory, He will not let me fail... for the exact same reason - FOR HIS GLORY! I have always looked at my fear and insecurities and counted them as a weakness that would keep me from living out His full purpose in me. Now, I am seeing that those weaknesses will be the one thing that will keep me in His will. If I felt I could do His will on my own, then I would trust myself and my abilities. I know my heart and flesh and see the abilities, opportunities, and gifts He has given me, and my heart cries out I don't deserve them. He strength will be seen in my weakness. He has given me much, because I know I cannot handle much. Only He can. All He requires of my is radical and undivided obedience. I wanted to share this with you all because I think this is something we all struggle with in one way or another. The fear of failure cripples us and leads us to settle for less, but God has not called us to live ordinary, unfruitful lives. He has called us to Him. And if He calls us to step out for Him, He will be faithful to see it through for the glory and honor of His name. It is not about us. It has never been about us. Peter sank when walking on water when he took his eyes off of Christ. When our eyes are on Him and we are obedient to His will, all things are possible. So that longing and passion that God has built into each one of us for His glory is possible. The only question is - Will we be willing to fan into flame the gift He has given us and walk in courageous obedience to His will? There is no higher calling. There is no other purpose for which we were created. God desires that every part of our life be about His glory, and He has the power and wisdom to see it truly come to fruition in our lives. Will we be obedient to ask for it and seek Him? There is no time for laziness. The battle is heavy and souls are at stake. John Piper says, "There are 3 types of Christians. Zealous goers, Zealous Senders, and disobedient." There is no other option. Our lives are to be invested in the advancement of His kingdom.
I hope this has made sense. When God opens your eyes to something, it is more often like a floodgate than a hose. It is hard to put into words, but it is so clear, freeing, and refreshing in my heart. I am sick of coasting by, knowing that given half an effort will put me just above average. I don't want to settle for just above average. I want to be all that I can for His glory. I want to be excellent. I want to be holy. And that is what He calls us to. He has given me much, that I might be poured out much. So I invite you to pray with me and for me. Pray that God gives me a courageous heart to follow Him no matter what. Pray that I would trust Him and keep my eyes on Him. Pray that God gives me spirit that is sick at the idea of being lazy and mediocre and yearns for divine obedience and discipline in my life. Pray that I would be found faithful with what has been entrusted to me - the gospel of the glory of the kingdom of God - and that I would proclaim it and give all that I am to see mature disciples raised up for His glory. Pray that God would strip away all of my flesh - selfishness, pride, and envy, and renew within me His image - holiness, selflessness, self-control, love, grace, and peace - for His glory.
I want desperately to live out that first one. But I know my heart. My heart is fearful - afraid to fail. My heart is lazy and selfish. Yet, for some reason God has given me wisdom and understanding beyond me. He has placed me in leadership over and over again, and again and again I ask why? I don't deserve it. More often than not, I don't want it. I don't want it because if He grants it, then I am afraid I will fail Him. Today, I am reminded that failing Him is rejecting His plan and His way. The only way I can fail is to reject the path He has for me. He has given me leadership and understanding for His glory. If I reject that path, He will be swift to discipline me before I defame His name. If I walk in His will and seek His glory, He will not let me fail... for the exact same reason - FOR HIS GLORY! I have always looked at my fear and insecurities and counted them as a weakness that would keep me from living out His full purpose in me. Now, I am seeing that those weaknesses will be the one thing that will keep me in His will. If I felt I could do His will on my own, then I would trust myself and my abilities. I know my heart and flesh and see the abilities, opportunities, and gifts He has given me, and my heart cries out I don't deserve them. He strength will be seen in my weakness. He has given me much, because I know I cannot handle much. Only He can. All He requires of my is radical and undivided obedience. I wanted to share this with you all because I think this is something we all struggle with in one way or another. The fear of failure cripples us and leads us to settle for less, but God has not called us to live ordinary, unfruitful lives. He has called us to Him. And if He calls us to step out for Him, He will be faithful to see it through for the glory and honor of His name. It is not about us. It has never been about us. Peter sank when walking on water when he took his eyes off of Christ. When our eyes are on Him and we are obedient to His will, all things are possible. So that longing and passion that God has built into each one of us for His glory is possible. The only question is - Will we be willing to fan into flame the gift He has given us and walk in courageous obedience to His will? There is no higher calling. There is no other purpose for which we were created. God desires that every part of our life be about His glory, and He has the power and wisdom to see it truly come to fruition in our lives. Will we be obedient to ask for it and seek Him? There is no time for laziness. The battle is heavy and souls are at stake. John Piper says, "There are 3 types of Christians. Zealous goers, Zealous Senders, and disobedient." There is no other option. Our lives are to be invested in the advancement of His kingdom.
I hope this has made sense. When God opens your eyes to something, it is more often like a floodgate than a hose. It is hard to put into words, but it is so clear, freeing, and refreshing in my heart. I am sick of coasting by, knowing that given half an effort will put me just above average. I don't want to settle for just above average. I want to be all that I can for His glory. I want to be excellent. I want to be holy. And that is what He calls us to. He has given me much, that I might be poured out much. So I invite you to pray with me and for me. Pray that God gives me a courageous heart to follow Him no matter what. Pray that I would trust Him and keep my eyes on Him. Pray that God gives me spirit that is sick at the idea of being lazy and mediocre and yearns for divine obedience and discipline in my life. Pray that I would be found faithful with what has been entrusted to me - the gospel of the glory of the kingdom of God - and that I would proclaim it and give all that I am to see mature disciples raised up for His glory. Pray that God would strip away all of my flesh - selfishness, pride, and envy, and renew within me His image - holiness, selflessness, self-control, love, grace, and peace - for His glory.
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