The Psalmists, worship leaders who had been deported from their homeland and house of worship – the dwelling place of God – found themselves in despair and discouragement. They write two songs about it - Psalm 42 and 43. Ever been there?
In the pain of these songs they describe their feelings: “waves and breakers have swept over me” (Psalm 42:7); "My tears have been my food day and night"(Psalm 42:3); and “My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me” (Psalm 42:10).
However, even in that situation they found HOPE by:
(1) Thirsting after God and seeking intimate fellowship with Him (Psalm 42:1,2).
(2) Journaling how they felt (their journal is the Psalm that we read).
(3) Asking the deep inner questions (“Why are you so downcast?” - Psalm 42:5,11; Psalm 43:5) and waiting on God for the answers.
(4) Finding Hope in God because of His character (He is a Rock - Psalm 42:9; a Stronghold - Psalm 43:2; their Savior - Psalm 42:5; is alive and listens; has a history of integrity - Psalm 42:4; & has the power and the will to bring hope and joy.)
(5) Praying
(6) Focusing on worshiping in the past, in the present, and in the future.
Are you downcast? God is the Author of HOPE. These steps worked for the Psalmists and they work for us today.
Trusting in the God who gives HOPE ~ Bob
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
From Pen to Paper - Obedience
"My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end"- Psalm 119:112.
Obedience to God's laws and guidelines is the heartbeat and centerpiece of this rather long Psalm. Love for His standards is the motivation, not pressure or "shoulds" or obligation. Love for high standards of godliness and integrity is as rare as hen's teeth these days. We might adhere to God's commandments out of obligation, but love?
Love for God's statutes stems from a soul deeply in love with her Creator, Saviour, Lover, Provider. Out of devotion to the Master comes a deep desire to please, to honor, to bring pleasure, knowing that it is out of His passionate love for us that He has set these guidelines in place. He knows who we are, He knows what we need, He knows what is best.
Oh God, may deep adoration be my motivation for striving to live up to the high standards that you have set.
Pressing on toward that goal ~
Linda
Friday, September 19, 2008
Lonely Leaders
Loneliness. Every leader faces it at one time or another. Unpopular decisions that must be made. The intent of your heart being misunderstood. Confidences that must be kept. Disappointments. Speaking truth that is not accepted by those who hear. Gossip and slander that leave you horrified - and then deeply grieved. Long hours that keep you from being with the people that love and energize you. A slow erosion of your soul that makes it harder and harder to maintain healthy boundaries and pursue spiritual disciplines.In his second letter to Timothy, Paul talks about the betrayal and desertion of friends and partners in ministry. He sits in a cold, dank dungeon, chained like a common criminal, awaiting certain execution. He doesn't have his cloak to warm his feeble body. He doesn't have his priceless parchments. He desperately misses his co-worker, Timothy. He is alone. Isolated.
Lonely would probably be an understatement.
Ruth Hailey Barton observes, "Persevering through the loneliest experiences of leadership requires inner stamina that is more than mere stubbornness. It is the ability to stay grounded in God, to stay true to one's path, to continue--even in the face of grave opposition--to move towards the vision that we have been privileged to see. But there is an even deeper kind of loneliness which every leader must grapple with ..." read more
Been there ~
Linda
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
From Pen to Paper - Freedom
"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts ... for I delight in Your commands because I love them" - Psalm 119:45.Freedom. "A wide space unconfined by affliction or oppression."
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" - 2 Corinthians 3:17.
Seeking to understand His precepts, His truth. Living in step with the Spirit, attentive and obedient to His voice, His will, and His direction - this allows the willing believer to be filled to overflowing. And in that loving place of abundance, the fruit buds and flourishes - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-24). More and more it defines who we are.
Thankfully, the budding and flourishing of the fruit leads to a delightful freedom. To be who He has created me to be. To do what He's called me to do. Freedom - that "wide, unconfined space that affliction or oppression can not touch."
Seeking more of His Spirit ~
Linda
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Facet of Love
“Love” (in I Corinthians 13:1-8) is a multi faceted diamond that describes both the character of God and the attributes of those who believe in Jesus. Looking at only one of the points on that diamond – “Love does not envy” –helps us measure the maturity of each one of us and of the Christian community. What does Paul mean by “envy?”
The cognate word for “envy” is used in 1 Corinthians 3:4 to describe “rivalry” or “strife.” That attitude was demonstrated by the Corinthian’s divisions over which teacher (pastor) in their congregation was either deemed the best or was liked the most. The word also refers to those who stood against Paul as his “rivals” for the affection of those who were part of that Christian community, pitting believer against believer.
Paul describes “love” as an attitude that does not allow fellow believers to be in competition either for positions in the church or to gain people’s favor so that they can gain personal adherents to themselves. Love creates unity and encouragement between individuals and churches - not rivalries.
“Love” asks the question, “How can I best serve those for whom Christ died without concern for my own ego, position, or status?” This is certainly part of Jesus’ request for His followers in the High Priestly prayer of John 17 when He prayed that all believers would be “one.” God's requirement is so contrary to the world's attitude of competition and rivalry which elevates ourselves by putting others down!
Two questions:
1) Since not having “envy” is a characteristic of “love,” how are we doing personally and in our churches?
2) As the “world” looks at us and at our churches, can it detect that we are believers by our "love" which is expressed in our lack of “envy”?
Growing with you, Bob
The cognate word for “envy” is used in 1 Corinthians 3:4 to describe “rivalry” or “strife.” That attitude was demonstrated by the Corinthian’s divisions over which teacher (pastor) in their congregation was either deemed the best or was liked the most. The word also refers to those who stood against Paul as his “rivals” for the affection of those who were part of that Christian community, pitting believer against believer.
Paul describes “love” as an attitude that does not allow fellow believers to be in competition either for positions in the church or to gain people’s favor so that they can gain personal adherents to themselves. Love creates unity and encouragement between individuals and churches - not rivalries.
“Love” asks the question, “How can I best serve those for whom Christ died without concern for my own ego, position, or status?” This is certainly part of Jesus’ request for His followers in the High Priestly prayer of John 17 when He prayed that all believers would be “one.” God's requirement is so contrary to the world's attitude of competition and rivalry which elevates ourselves by putting others down!
Two questions:
1) Since not having “envy” is a characteristic of “love,” how are we doing personally and in our churches?
2) As the “world” looks at us and at our churches, can it detect that we are believers by our "love" which is expressed in our lack of “envy”?
Growing with you, Bob
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Five Things to Pray for Others
When praying for others, what should we pray? Paul gives us a model in Philippians 1:9-11, “That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Let’s look at five things he prays for in these verses:
1) Growth in love – vulnerability, openness, forgiveness, authenticity, intimacy made possible through self disclosure and faith because of God’s love – love that does not demand something in return. Love for both God and others.
2) Knowledge – the ability to grasp spiritual truth.
3) Discernment – making godly decisions; knowing what to do as a result of being in an intimate place with God
4) Righteousness/blamelessness – doing right things in the inner character. The word was used by those who bought pottery and held it up to the light to see if there were any cracks in it. Conduct that will not bring any charges from others.
5) Fruitfulness – living for God’s glory so that Christ will be formed in them and they will continue growing to be like Jesus in mannerisms, conversation, actions, and thoughts – Christlikeness.
As God answers your prayers, those for whom you pray will be eternally grateful.
Coveting your prayers, Bob
1) Growth in love – vulnerability, openness, forgiveness, authenticity, intimacy made possible through self disclosure and faith because of God’s love – love that does not demand something in return. Love for both God and others.
2) Knowledge – the ability to grasp spiritual truth.
3) Discernment – making godly decisions; knowing what to do as a result of being in an intimate place with God
4) Righteousness/blamelessness – doing right things in the inner character. The word was used by those who bought pottery and held it up to the light to see if there were any cracks in it. Conduct that will not bring any charges from others.
5) Fruitfulness – living for God’s glory so that Christ will be formed in them and they will continue growing to be like Jesus in mannerisms, conversation, actions, and thoughts – Christlikeness.
As God answers your prayers, those for whom you pray will be eternally grateful.
Coveting your prayers, Bob
Friday, September 5, 2008
Schooldays
Thursday, September 4, 2008
When Leaders Lose Their Souls
"Then Jesus said to the disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow Me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?'"
- Matthew 16:24-26.
Barton writes,
"Jesus indicates that it is possible ... to gain the whole world - including the world of ministry success - and lose your own soul in the midst of it all ... He might also point out that when leaders lose their souls, so do the churches and organizations they lead" ... read more ...
- Matthew 16:24-26.
Barton writes,
"Jesus indicates that it is possible ... to gain the whole world - including the world of ministry success - and lose your own soul in the midst of it all ... He might also point out that when leaders lose their souls, so do the churches and organizations they lead" ... read more ...Contemplating what I've observed & experienced ~
Linda
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