Jeremiah 15:19 how will you use your mouth?

If you will turn back to Me, I will restore you and you will stand before Me. If you will speak worthy words instead of worthless complaints, you will be my spokesperson.

Observation
Most people who complain don't even know they are doing it. I imagine Jeremiah is in this category. In verse 18 Jeremiah asks God if He is going to deceptive and unreliable. That is a pretty bold complaint to make to the God of the universe. This complaint comes from a lack of faith in the midst of extremely trying circumstances. The calling of God has left Jeremiah lonely. Jeremiah is asked to share words from God that are extremely hard to hear and he must continually confront sin...Jeremiah is tired, and because he is tired, begins to complain.
However, God will not use a mouth that complains all the time. God calls this complaining sin and tells Jeremiah to turn back to Him and to trust Him.

Application
I am totally convicted by this scripture. I complain a lot to God about doing His work. My complaints are very similar to Jeremiah's. I get tired of confronting sin; I get tired of being His spokesperson....my flesh cries out "what about me?". In the same respect, I want to be used by God, I want Him to call me one of His disciples. But my lack of faith and complaining stands in the way of God using me.

Prayer
Father, thank You for Your Word and it's power to convict and change me. Thank You for using me. Forgive me for my attitude of entitlement and lack of gratitude.

Jeremiah 13:27 Adultery

As for your faithlessness, your adulteries and your lustful ways, as for the degrading way you prostitute yourself to other gods out in the open, I see it all.

Observation
They very first commandment God gives His people is that they are to serve no other God besides Him, the second is they are not to make an idol (fashion anything out of wood or other materials). God wants to be the center of their lives and their hearts. He doesn't want anything coming before Him. Yet, Judah breaks this command over and over and God calls it adultery.
We too have other gods in our lives. Those gods may be entertainment, our job, another person, or even ourselves. We put various things at the core of who we are and keep God on the fringe. We never stop to consider that we are cheating on God. We think because we haven't performed any sexual act, and we include God in our list of activities, that somehow it is not cheating.
It is better for those who have never made a commitment to God, then for those who have but continue to cheat on Him.

Application
This verse is a double-edge sword. I have cheated on God. I am unfaithful. Because I have confessed my sin and turned, He has forgiven me and cleansed me from this sin. He has made me faithful. But the minute that I allow more of the world and less of Him in me, I know that I can become unfaithful again. This is a warning to watch my heart.

Prayer
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Please continue to keep me close to You. I desire to be faithful to You always.

Jeremiah 12:5-6 if you think this is tough, just wait!

If you are worn out after running with only a few men, how will you one day come against horses? If you stumble on easy terrain, how will you manage on thick brush near the Jordan? Jeremiah, even your brothers and the rest of your family are ready to betray you. Even they cry out for your death; don't trust any of them, no matter how nicely they speak to your face.

Observation
Jeremiah has just been complaining that the wicked prosper while he struggles. He wants to know where God's justice is. God doesn't shrink back from this question, nor does he punish Jeremiah for asking it, but He does give Jeremiah a reality check. If Jeremiah is already weary because he sees the wicked prosper, what is he going to do when everyone turns against him, including his family? God calls Jeremiah to take his eyes off of the rain drops and wind around him, and prepare for the storm of storms that is coming.

Application
How many times have I been focused on the few things not going right in my life, instead of preparing for what is to come. I can just hear God saying to me in these verses "Hope, if you are weary now getting messy with a few of my children, what are you going to do when I bring hundreds more?". I need to submit my heart to God for training and equipping for even greater ministry.

Prayer
Father, I complain about being tired to You all the time. I'm sorry, and I submit myself to You for training and equipping for the greater ministry that You have ahead. Please create in me a steadfast spirit, persevering as i run the race of endurance.

Jeremiah 10:18,21,23-24 Discipline

Now is the time for Me to bring hardship on them, so they may be found....The shepherds of My people have lost their senses; they never thought to ask what the Eternal would have them do.....O Eternal I know our lives are in Your hands. It is not us to direct our own steps-we need You. Discipline me, Eternal One, but do so fairly. Hold back Your wrath or I'll be destroyed completely.

Observation
God allows hardship to bring us back to Him. Even those who gave their hearts passionately to Him once can lose their first love. It breaks God's heart that we would give ourselves to empty and meaningless trappings in this world, when we have known His goodness and experienced intimacy with Him. It is a slow fade, we gradually start taking Him for granted and stop asking Him what He thinks and wants. Can you Imagine a culture where everyone, including Pastors, have stopped asking God what He wants?
Jeremiah knows that he has also struggled with the sin of trying to do life on his own apart from God. He acknowledges his need for God as well as a need for discipline. Jeremiah knows that the discipline of The Lord will keep him from drifting away again. Jeremiah first asks for a fair discipline, then it seems like he rethinks the idea of fair, and asks God to hold back a little of the discipline due him.

Application
These verses are a great reminder of how God uses all things, even the painful stuff, to draw me close to Him. I need discipline from The Lord or I would turn from Him. I praise God for His mindfulness of me.

Prayer
Father, thank You for Your grace. You have forgiven my sin against You and have drawn me with loving kindness. Thank You for Your discipline, like Jeremiah I ask that You continue to discipline, but use mercy, so that I will not be broken. I love You.

Jeremiah 7:10-11 Worship Gone Bad

Do you think all it takes is for you to run back to Me this house, which is called by My name and say "We're safe now?" Does this somehow make it all right to do vile things in front of Me? Do you think this house, which is called by My name, is a den of thieves? I see what you're doing.

Observation
(From the Voice) One of the most important and difficult messages Jeremiah ever delivers is given at the entrance to the temple. In the seventh century, the problem isn't that people are refusing to worship, for the crowds continue to form at the temple in Jerusalem, but they are embracing a superficial form of worship. They are acting as if their motives don't matter; their immoral behavior seems to be little or no concern. As long as they have the temple - with it's rituals and rich history - they believe they are immune to anything. As long as they have the building in their midst, they seem to think they have God - as if He could be contained in this beautiful and storied structure.
Imagine the scene as the bold prophet speaks to the crowds streaming into the temple area. Imagine how startling these words sound to people who think religious activity and merely showing up at the temple will protect them.

Application
I am certainly guilty of being busy with religious activity, yet having a heart far from God. God is so good to make sure I never drift too far. A few years ago I asked him to make sure that I never became a hypocrite, I knew that if left alone to my own devices I would be a judgmental hypocrite in a heartbeat, so I needed God to take over. He is faithful and has delivered me time and time again from impure heart motives that make it all about me instead of Him.
My heart motive is so important as a worship leader. How can I direct others to the heart of God, when my own is far from Him? I have to continually ask God to examine my motives, reveal any hurtful way within me, turn from that way and follow Where He leads.

Prayer
Father, I know in me I am just like those worshipping at Your temple in Jeremiah's day. I am selfish, prideful, rebellious, and judgmental, but You are always good and Your goodness lives in me. Please examine my heart motives before I lead others in worship today, I want to have a heart completely turned to You!

Jeremiah 5:24 Reverence (11.23.12)

It never occurred to them to say, "let us stand in awe of the Eternal our God, for He sends rain, both the autumn and the spring rain and He brings the harvest at just the right time year after year." it is your sin that holds back the rain. It is your rebellion that keeps good things from happening to you.

Observation
Why doesn't it occur to us to stand in awe of God? When we sin it is like putting blinders on or turning off the lights. What is scary is that this can happen to God's people. The people that have seen God can miss Him so greatly.
You can drift away from God, which can make you susceptible to sin. Moreover, if the society that you live in, has leaders (both religious and political) that have selfish agendas and are also in sin, you will become easy prey for sin when you drift away from God.
The sin of rebellion holds back God's blessing.

Application
This morning I'm convicted that I don't show reverence to God like I should. This week being sick has made it very easy to drift from God. I'm sure that was the enemy's plan. I hate that my first reaction in the morning is not to give God praise. This has got to change!

Prayer
Father, I'm so sorry that I have allowed my heart to drift this week. Please forgive me. I need You and ask that you fan Your flame that is in my heart. I don't ever want to lose my first love, which You.

Jeremiah 6:13-14 Greed (11.24.12)

Greed has corrupted this culture, from the least to the greatest: all are tainted with this lust for what they don't deserve. The prophets and priests are no better. Their lives reek with deceit. To heal the brokenness of My people, they offer superficial words. They say "peace, peace," as if all is well. But there is no peace.

Observation
God has created us with a void that only He can fill. Yet the powers of darkness are always making promises of fulfillment and it only leaves us with a greater void in our hearts. It never occurs to us that we don't deserve riches, moreover that those riches may not use good for us.
In the book of Jeremiah, God is talking to HIS people. It is HIS people that are seeking after the trappings of the world instead of God's heart. Moreover, it is HIS prophets that are trying to heal mortal wounds with superficial words. God is calling His people to weep, regret what they have done, and seek once again their First Love.

Application
What do I seek after that I don't deserve? Hmm, every time something doesn't go my way do I throw a fit? I wish I could say never, but the truth is I'm a little spoiled and it concerns me. What if I lost everything? Would I be content or would I complain? I am just as susepctable as anyone else to the instant gratification society that we live in. I have to make sure that I'm holding on to the things of this world loosely and holding on to Christ firmly.
Moreover, as one who teaches and encourages with the Word of God, I need to make sure that I'm seeking God's heart and what He wants to say. It is all too easy to tell people what they want to hear. People don't want accountability for sin and they don't want to hear that God isn't happy, but telling them only words that will tickle their ears will leave them malnourished and unprepared for the coming of Christ.

Prayer
Father, I want for my heart to mirror Yours. Please help me to hold the things of this world loosely. Please open my ears each morning to listen as a disciple; help me to sustain those who are weary with Your word. May Your word guard my heart, so that I never seek the things of this world to fill the needs that only You can fill.

Jeremiah 3:12b-15 The Gift Of Repentance (11.19.12)

Return to Me, faithless Isreal. I will look on you with mercy, not anger.  I will not hold this grudge against you forever.  Just admit what you did -  your sin against Me. How you rebelled against the Eternal your God. How you have yourself away to these foreign gods in the open, under the trees! How you disobeyed My voice.  Come back home, My restless, faithless ones, for I am you master, your husband (not that other god), and I will take you in - one from this city, two from that clan; I will bring you home to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds who trust and know Me, wise teachers who will impart knowledge and understanding to you.

Observation

God calls out the sin of Israel, but in doing so He reminds them of who He is. He is merciful and faithful; He is love and His promises are sure. God is telling Israel and all of us, that He has seen our sin and want's to restore us to Himself. All we need to do is confess our sin and turn from it, and He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

When He gives us this opportunity to confess and turn from sin, it is a gift.  It is not one that everyone receives and accepts, but it is a gift nonetheless.  God also adds an interesting promise for repentance.  He promises us shepherds, wise teachers. He is saying that the road back is one that we will not have to do alone. He will send us others to disciple us along the way.  That is a pretty phenomenal promise!

Application

My mom told me this week that repentance is a gift. I can see that clearly in these scriptures. I have received the gift of repentance several times in the past and God has been faithful to surround me wise counsel to travel with me back to Him. Repentance is a gift that I don't ever want to take for granted.  

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of repentance. Please continue to humble me so that I will be quick to confess and turn from sin.  Father, You are my master and my husband, thank You for always taking me in and welcoming me back to You.  I also praise You for the wise counsel that You have given me to draw me back to You.

Jeremiah 3:4, 10b "I'm Sorry" (11.19.12)

But you still look and act the part of a prostitute - unfazed and unashamed.  But wait, did you just now call out to Me, saying, "My Father, You have been my friend, my confidant since I was young?" You ask "Surely He won't be angry forever, will He?" Surely He won't hold this against us to the end right?" This is how you talk - as if all I want are words; meanwhile you continue your selfish and evil ways...; she never completely returned to Me. She only pretended to be Mine, as if empty words would satisfy Me.

Observation

There are two types of "I'm sorry"; one is a repentant "I'm sorry" and the other is a "I'm sorry I got caught" .  The first is a gift from God and comes with great reward, the latter does not and will never cut the mustard in our relationship with God.  God is telling Israel and us that word mean nothing, their hearts need to turn, they need to humble themselves and walk the repentant walk back to Him.

It's sad that we thing empty words will work with God.  We know that He see's our heart, yet we are so distorted by the lies we have believed that we proclaim them anyway.  God cares about and for our hearts and until He has them our relationship with Him will remain broken.

Application

These verses are a heart check.  Am I really sorry for my sin or am I just sorry I got caught?  Do I want to keep my Christian lifestyle but still hold on tight to the things of this world?  This is a good heart check for any Christian. 

Prayer

Father, You know my hidden faults.  Please show me any hypocrisy in my heart.  Please lead me down the path of repentance.  I do not want to have words that proclaim closeness with You, but a heart that is far from Yours.

Jeremiah 2 God's Heart Break (11.13.12)

(13) My people are guilty of two evils: They have abandoned Me, the spring of living waters; and instead, they have settled for dead and stagnant water from cracked and leaky cisterns of their own making. (19b) At the core of this sad truth is they have forgotten the wonder and terror of who I am. (22) You can scrub yourself with all the soap you want, but you'll never be able to wash away the stain of what you've done before me. (24b) It's not even fair to say you were seduced by these gods. You sought them out! (31b) Why do My own people say to Me, "we would rather wander where we want than come to You"? (36) How do you keep changing directions, making a covenant with Me, then a treaty with them?

Observation

"I want it my way" faith, that is what this is.  This is the way it is right now in many lives, in Christianity.  We want it our way and what are our requirements? 

1. I must be entertained at all times

2. I get to do what I want during the week and then when I go to church on Sunday.

3. I will serve when I want to and where I want to.

4. God is "okay" with my left-overs, If I feel like giving and serving, then I will, if I don't, then I won't.

We have a fallen nature that already desires to do things our way, but add to it a culture that entices that nature, and you are in deep trouble.  This deadly combination is not new.  This was the Israelites downfall and God sent Jeremiah to warn them.  

Application

Dan calls it "one-cheek" faith and I confess this is something that I struggle with.  More so, when I am away from the Word because I will naturally conform to the patterns of this world if I'm not being transformed by the renewing of my mind.  A good friend of mine said that God wants us to put down the Christian task list and just spend time with Him.  That is a good word and it honestly breaks my heart that there are so many who have settled for the dead and stagnant water of their own leaky cisterns.  I believe this heart break comes directly from God and it begs the question,  "What will it take for us to turn back to Him?"

Prayer

Father, before I shine Your word around and check off my Christian "to-do" list, I pray that You would help me first to just sit at Your feet.  What good is it for me to shine Your light around if I am not living it out myself?

James 4:7-11a Laying Yourself Bare Before The Lord (11.15.12)

So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure.  Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close o you.  Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God is on one side and selfish pursuits on the other.

Now is the time to lament, to grieve, and cry. Dissolve your laughter into sobbing and exchange your joy for depression.  Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head so that you can stand tall. My brothers and sisters, do not assault each other with criticism.

Observation

We can suppress our emotions and put off struggles that need to be dealt with today.  Paul is saying "Stop!, Do it NOW!". It is arrogance to think we have tomorrow to confess, to lay ourselves bare before God, when the sickness inside us is growing and festering. The truth is we don't want to lay ourselves bare before God, because we don't want Him to take away the sin just yet, we want to keep it and enjoy it a little longer. Moreover, when we are sick and we are not laying ourselves bare before the Lord, we tend to criticize and stand in judgement of others; this behavior spreads sin.

But if we lay ourselves bare before God, willingly submitting ourselves to heart surgery, God is good to pour out His immeasurable grace upon our lives, and replace what was once lost.

Application

I am dealing with this example in my own life right now.  People I love have hidden sin.  These people are accountable to me.  Because of all the work that needs to be done along with my flesh (anger & hurt), I want to respond to this sin by sinning. My hands are deep into the infection of others and I can easily get sick myself.  So I need to lay myself bare before God, lament and grieve, submitting to Him and drawing deep into His word so that I can resist the devil and his schemes.

Prayer

Lord I need You.  I humble myself before You.  I ask that You cleanse me of this anger and hurt, please forgive me for my desire to be critical of those who have hurt me.  Remind me of the grace you have shown me, so that I can show others.  I ask that You make me a conduit of Your love, mercy, and grace for others.

Romans 14:1, 13, 19,22 Judging another's walk (11.11.12)

It's high time that you welcome all people weak in the faith without debating and disputing their opinions....In light of this, we must resolve never to judge others and never to place an obstacle or impediment in their paths that could cause them to trip and fall....Join us and pursue a life that creates peace and builds up our brothers and sisters....Hold on to what you believe about these issues, but keep them between you and God. 

Observation

I believe Paul is saying two things here.  The first is pick your battles wisely. Fighting over church methods is a waste of time.  In the time that the letter to Rome is written food sacrificed to idols and food that was considered unlawful to eat by the Jews, was in heavy debate.  I imagine for us it would be like worship style (contemporary, rock, conservative) or varying preaching styles or even dress.  Silly things to argue over. 

 ~ Observation from The Voice  "Personal freedom must always give way to corporate responsibility.  To put it another way, the gospel of love demands that we surrender individual liberties for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Christ."

However, I believe Paul is also telling us not to be critical of others who are not as spiritually mature as we are.  He is encouraging us instead to be compassionate and humble, so that we will not be a stumbling block to their faith.  We are not to judge if they are not as far on their spiritual walk as they should be or if and how they should be doing more.

Application

This is a difficult one for me.  Because as a leader I want to encourage spiritual growth.  Yet I find it is hard to not be critical and get frustrated when I don't see spiritual fruit in someone's life.  But I need to remember that I don't see the heart and I don't see all that God is doing. When I judge I end up standing on my own self-righteousness and usually end up fighting the wrong battle.  I need to just be obedient in my own walk always going to God on what I'm to do next and trust God with His sheep.  He knows the status of their heart and growth better than I and in the end we will each be accountable for our own walk (Romans 14:12).

Prayer

Please forgive me Father for my judgmental attitude.  Please grant me Your wisdom to know when I am starting to lean towards judgement instead of mercy and humility.  

Exodus 14:11-14 Perfect Love Casts Out Fear (11.10.12)

(Pharaoh and the Egyptians have chased the Israelites and the Israelite are camping by the sea) "Were there not enough graces in Egypt?  is that why you brought us here to die in the desert?  Why have you done this to us?  Why have you made us leave Egypt?  Didn't we tell you in Egypt to stop pestering us so that we can get on with our lives and serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to live as slaves to the Egyptians than to die out here in the desert."

Moses said, "Don't be afraid! Stand your ground and witness how the Eternal will rescue you today.  Take a good look at the Egyptians, for after today you will never see them again.  The Eternal will fight on your behalf while you watch in silence."

Observation

So many times we want great reward without great risk.  We are wiling to step out of our safety net in the excitement of the moment, but when faced with opposition we falter easily.  This is human nature.  However, the God-nature given us say's to press through.  We need leaders to help us do that. Leaders call out the God-nature in us.  They remind us who God is and His promises for our lives. They encourage us and get us excited about what's next. When all we see is distorted, the leader looks in the God Telescope and tells you what he or she sees.

Application

How would I have responded if I was Moses?  Well, my natural reaction would be to get mad or frustrated.  I mean, here Moses is sacrificing everything and facing extreme obstacles and the Israelites complain, respond in fear, and basically tell him you dragged us out here to die.  The Israelites want to share in the reward but make none of the sacrifice. I see this in ministry quite often.  You tell people that the road of righteousness is not an easy one and you do your best to prepare them for it, but when the enemy approaches they blame you and want to run or tell you to take care of it. I am convicted when I look at how Moses responded to the Israelites in love.  The love that Moses shows casts out the fear that has taken over.  Moses knows who the enemy is and more importantly he knows who his God is, and instead of entertaining fear, he shares what he knows. Instead of getting defensive and he encourages.  I desire to lead like Moses, one who responds and leads in love.

Prayer

Father, open my eyes that I can know Your plans for those you have given for me to lead.  Help me to look through the God-Telescope when fear starts to cripple those around me.  Help me to press past my fleshly frustration and into Your well and draw out the perfect love that casts out fear.

Ephesians 2:10 (voice) Manufactured in Heaven (11.7.12)

For we are the product of His hand, heaven's poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.

Observation

I am His product, the work of His hands.  Nothing can come against me without the foreknowledge of God and His approval of it. I am not to be used for purposes other than what I was created for.  I was created for good works, not for sin.  I was created to love, not hate, to exude peace, not fear, to include not exclude, etc. I am not my own. When I try to do work that I wasn't created for my body starts to shut down, I get tired, headaches and pain.  That is because I am going against the manufacturing instructions. I can't use a hammer to do a screw drivers job. I was manufactured in heaven and my owner is Christ.  He is the only one that knows the proper use for Hope Flask.

Application

Each day I need to ask God what good works He has for me.  This isn't just a morning petition, but one that I make throughout the day, in conversations, in meetings, before I go to bed.  Those good works may include serving others physical needs, praying, or simply resting in Him.  He knows better than I.  He wrote my instruction manual and because of His Spirit within me I can read it! Gradually, day by day, I am learning and understanding more and more of what I was created to do and who I was created for (Christ).   Applying this message for me means going to the Source and doing what I was created to do.

Prayer

Thank You Father for molding me, creating me in Christ.  Thank You for etching Your beauty throughout my being.  I am not my own.  I am Yours.  Do what You will in me and through me.  

Romans 12:9-10,13-14,16,18 (voice) House Rules (11.6.12)

...Love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. Live in true devotion to one another, loving each others as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first....Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. If people mistreat you or malign you, bless them. Always speak blessings, not curses....Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another...If it is within your power, make peace with all people. 

Observation

When we give our lives to Christ we are adopted and become children of God. We receive blessings and an inheritance, but we also receive brothers and sisters....lots of brothers and sisters. These verses in Romans God is giving us the house rules.  We all have them in our own house.  You know "pick up after yourself," "we never say stupid or shut-up," "always pray before meals," etc.  When someone who is not in your family comes over to your house it takes them awhile to become acclimated to the house rules. 

It is the same with God's house.  He is saying, "In My house we live in true devotion to another".  "We don't love or serve based on condition".  "In my house we honor one another and put others first".  "We also forgive others and bless them". "We speak blessings to each other".  " In My house we work towards unity".

Why do we and why does God have house rules?  Because when the house rules are kept everything runs smoothly; there is no chaos or disorder, things get done.  When the house rules are kept there is peace.  When the house rules are kept we are making progress. 

Why do we keep the house rules? We keep the house rules because we know that they are for our good.  We can see the difference when we don't.  When we understand that the rules are for our good and made out of love, then we begin to transform into the image of the Father.

Application

I've let these verses soak the last few days in my heart before doing S.O.A.P. because I know that I am not living up to the house rules like I should.  Especially the house rule that say's I need to open my life and my home to others.  Yet, in my house my kids don't get to pick and choose the house rules they follow, how much more the standard must be maintained in God's house. 

Prayer

Father, I come before You and ask for Your forgiveness for my selfishness and disobedience.  I have not followed Your house rules.  I also ask for help in keeping the rules that You have set.  Please remind me of Your house rules when selfishness is starting to take over.

John 10:14-15 (Voice) Sacrificial Leadership (11.7.12)

I am the good shepherd, I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me. As the Father knows Me, I know the Father; I will give My life for the sheep.

Observation

Jesus exemplifies the way to lead others in John 10.  He speaks to them with soothing, encouraging, and instructional words.  He gives all of Himself to the sheep; willingly dying for the sheep . There are those that will also try to lead the sheep, but they are only hired hands.  When life gets tough and they have to sacrificially give of themselves, they cannot and they run away.  When Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, He is also identifying you and I.  When Christ lives in us we also have the power through His Spirit to become the Good Shepherd.  To lead others the way that Christ lead, you have to be willing to lay your life down for the sheep.

Application

I meet many people that want to be a leader.  I think we associate leader with the highest rung on the ladder of success.  However, when it comes to laying down their life for the sheep, some conveniently become just a hired hand, not willing to go the distance that leadership requires.  I throw lots of grace their way, because I know the sacrifice that you have to make as a leader will take your breath away, crush your heart, and steal time from you that seems never to be redeemed.  Even though on the outside leadership looks like the pinnacle of success, on the inside the leader is taking hits for the team that no one will ever see.  

Sounds like parenting doesn't it?  Your children will never know the nights you've spent crying out to God on their behalf.  They will never comprehend the love you have for them in your heart. You would gladly and willingly lay down your life to save theirs.  You do so, because God has given you an unexplained love and nothing could snatch that love away.  

If you ask God to pour out His love for His people into your heart, He will give you a love for them that cannot be snatched away.  People won't understand how you can put up with so much or invest so much, with seemingly little return.  But because of the love God has poured into your heart, you see the eyes of faith and you know there is eternal fruit growing inside of them.

I am not saying that a leader is a martyr.  I have given of myself so much to ministry that my physical and spiritual health as well as my family have suffered for it.  I can only give of myself if I am receiving from Christ and doing His will each day. 

As a leader I know that I am not alone in this self-sacrifice.  Many others have gone before me and walk with me.  I am so thankful for the leaders that have given up portions of themselves for me. I am thankful for the leaders that have taken battle wounds for and from me. I am grateful for the leaders that have laid down their lives for me. Most of all I'm thankful for You Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for laying Your life down for me. Thank You for pouring Your love into my heart and asking me to love sacrificially.  Please continue to pour Your love and wisdom into my heart so that I will not run away from the sacrificial leadership that You have called me to.

Psalm 37 (voice) Promises for seeking God (11.6.12)

...The Eternal saves His faithful; He lends His strength in hard times; the Eternal frees them from evildoers and saves them for eternity - simply because they seek shelter in Him.

Observation

Psalm 37 is filled with promises of God for those who seek shelter in Him.  They didn't clean up before they came to Him, they haven't done everything right or are doing everything right, they simply decided to seek shelter in Christ and God calls them righteous and bestows His blessings on them.

Here are some promises that God gives in Psalm 37:

If you stay on His path and wait for Him, He will come for you and exalt you; you will inherit the land and you will see the end of the wicked. (34)

If you love peace, you are promised a future (37)

For those living in God, wisdom will fill their mouths, justice and truth will roll from their tongues, God's law will be imprinted on their hearts, and they will not stumble (30-31)

God guards and cares for them and He does not abandon those loyal to Him (28)

Their children will never beg for crumbs because God see's His righteous one's giving and sharing (25-26)

Love this one...If you are right with God, He strengthens you for the journey; the Eternal will be pleased with your life. And even though you trip up, you will not fall on your face because He holds you by the hand.

A beautiful illustration...Commit your path to the Eternal let Him direct you.  Put your confidence in Him, and He will follow through with you.  He will spread out righteousness for you as a sunrise spreads radiance over the land; He will deliver justice for you into the light of the high sun.(5-6)

Application

These beautiful promises need to fill my mind.  Psalm 37 is telling me not to envy those who have worldly success through wickedness, but to instead know, remember, and dwell on the promises of God. Just as there are promises for those who seek His face, there are also promises for those who seek the world and its wickedness.  But all I have to do to escape the trap is simply seek shelter in the Most High! 

Prayer

Oh Father let this word plant itself deep within my soul.  That I would be able to encourage myself and others with Your promises. That I would hold thoughts captive with these promises and flee the temptation of the wicked. Father, Your goodness and mercy towards me is humbling.  Thank You for being my Eternal Shelter.

Colossians 3:23 Re-focus (11.5.12)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Observation

We are not required to measure the effectiveness of someone else's walk with the Lord.  We have to keep our eyes focused on God and the tasks that He has given us.  Moreover, we need to look at the tasks we have each day as from the Lord, seeking His guidance and will. We lose effectiveness and joy when we look at these tasks as from men.  It is from this thought pattern that we start to compare our work with others, which can lead to jealousy and bitterness, two big joy zappers.

Application

I woke up this morning zapped of joy.  E-mails through the weekend and night had taken their tole and I had a bad attitude. This verse reminds me that even though the e-mail was addressed by someone else it actually came from God. Taking these requests back to Him this morning I can ask Him to prioritize and equip me for these tasks.  Then at the end of the day I am not being measure my man or myself, I am measured by Him. 

Prayer

Father, You have set before me this day and all that is in.  Please prioritize and equip me for the tasks that lay ahead.  I can do all things through You, Christ, who strengthens me.

Romans 12:3 (Voice) Entitlement (11.4.12)

Because of the grace allotted to me, I can respectfully tell you not think of yourselves as being more important than you are; devoted your minds to sound judgement since God has assigned each of us a measure of faith.

Observation

Paul is teaching from a life lesson that he has learned himself. If we don't devote our minds to the truth, then we will sub-conciously think we are bringing goodness to God instead of God bringing goodness to us.  And what is that truth?  That we are sinners in need of grace.  Because of the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice we are now adopted in God's family. We are no longer in darkness or bound by sin.  We are forgiven and free. We are to use this GIFT to serve God and others. We are not in charge, we don't deserve grace, faith, or anything that God has done for us.

Application

I live in a culture where I am told I am entitled to feel good, to have what I want, to look the way I want, to make everything all about me. Everyone I love lives in that same culture. There is this tendency to look at others and notice their entitled attitudes and become disgusted and we never see the attitudes in ourselves.  I have an entitlement attitude sometimes and I praise God that He loves me enough to discipline me so that I can walk with Him in humility. Moreover, every time He disciplines and humbles me, He gives me grace for others and more faith in who He is.  This process feeds the humility cycle.  Love it!

Prayer

It is only because of You my King, that I can stand and go forward.  You have given me the greatest treasure when You gave me Yourself.  It is undeserved.  Thank You for disciplining and humbling me so that I can continue to walk closely with You. 

Romans 12:2 (Voice) Conform or Transform (11.3.12)

Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image.  Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind.  As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.

Observation

We are clay and as such are constantly being molded.  Yet we are clay with one additive that does not exist in other forms of clay.  That additive is "free-will". God has given us free-will to choose who we will look like. We can choose the world and in the end we will have the image of bitterness, greed, selfishness, and pride. Or we can choose Christ and we will look like love, gentleness, peace, and humility.

Once the choice is made we apply action to it and the Potter's wheel begins to turn and mold. 

The way the clay is formed also depends on the image being made.  If the clay is formed in the image of God, then the work is done from inside out.  This type of formation makes the image sturdy, this pot has multiple uses and will last a long time.  When the image is set for the world, the work is done from the outside in.  The image looks right on the outside but inside isn't quite right and the pot can never hold water or fulfill other purposes.  

The pot formed in the image of Christ, is used by Christ for whatever God wills.  Each day this pot is being cleaned and starting off in the Potter's had ready for whatever use pleases the Potter. The pot formed in the image of the world is set on a shelf, out of the way, and is no use to anyone.

Application

When I gave my life to Christ, I basically said, "I want to look like You Jesus".  From then on, each day I am to place myself on the Potter's wheel and allow Him to do His work on me, which is from the inside out. Some morning's I come to God and I feel like I have completely undone the work he did the day before.  But He patiently puts me back on the wheel and continues His work.  He uses the crack or stain that I encountered the day before and weave's together something beautiful; so that when looking at me you would never know that it was a crack that I made, it looks all apart of the master plan.  The more I look like Him the more aware I am of the things that please Him, the more I am able to know HIs heart.  I can see joy in affliction, and see past behavior into the heart of the matter, and I see hope in hopeless situations.  I can also discern His wisdom verses my own or even the worlds.  And the more I look like Him the more I want to look like Him. This all happens by each day placing myself on the Potter's wheel and saying, "I want to look like You Jesus!"

Prayer

Lord, I place myself in Your creative and transforming hands and ask that You make me look like Your Son.  So faithful and true, always gentle and patient.  Fill this pot with a greater love for You and Others.  

Ephesians 1:3 (voice) Spiritual Blessings (11.2.12)

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, who grant us every spiritual blessing in these heavenly realms where we live in the Anointed, not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us.

Observation

There are blessings that we receive by abiding in Christ. 

We bear fruit:  When we remain on the Vine we bear Spiritual Fruit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control).  

We are protected:  When we remain in Christ we are shielded by faith, salvation, truth, and peace.  We also can take up the Spirit as our offensive weapon.

We know the heart of God:  When we remain in Christ we see has Christ sees.  Our hearts both break and rejoices with His. 

We receive heavenly wisdom: When we are IN Christ, we receive heavenly wisdom to know the things that are not obvious to others.  We are given direction for each step we take and are enlightened to what is truly going on around us.

These blessings affect our relationships and gradually transform us and the world around us.  This is not because of our own goodness, but because of His.  It is through Christ and Christ alone that these blessings are accessible to us.

Application

Each day I wake up it is like Christmas morning.  Downstairs waiting for me is every Spiritual Blessing that I could ever want.  Yet many mornings I walk by the gifts God has placed for me and never receive or open them. Why?  Because on these mornings, I am not IN Christ I am IN me.  I desire to wake up every day excited to receive the blessings God has waiting for me.  I desire to live a blessed life...who wouldn't? Yet desire is not enough.  The only way for me to live a blessed life is to remain IN Christ!

Prayer

You are the TRUE VINE and I am the branch.  I choose to remain in You today and forevermore. Thank You for the undeserved blessings My King and I ask that Your grace always keep me close to You.  I know that in myself I am weak and wicked, but IN YOU I can do all things.