Leader in God's eyes

The qualifications for God-ordained leadership are in Numbers 27:17:

(1) “Who may go out before them.” The Christian life is always ongoing and never stagnant. The path of the righteous is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day (Prov. 4:18). A shepherd must always lead his sheep into new pastures—new experiences, fresh anointing and greater revelations of God’s truth. Sheep cannot feed forever upon old pastures. They will lose the vitality of their faith and passion for the Lord if they live on stale manna.

(2) “Go in before them.” A leader must lead from the front and be a trailblazer for his people. As he does that, he must also carefully inspect that the new pastures are free from “poisonous weeds”—erroneous doctrines that could harm his flock. The important truth here is that, as leaders, we do not lead our people into doctrine that we have not carefully inspected ourselves. A leader must test the fruit first. As a leader, be certain to take counsel with other godly men concerning every new thing that comes along.

(3) “May not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He feeds them with the integrity of his heart and guides them with the skillfulness of his hands (Ps. 78:72). He inspects them. He heals and anoints them with fresh oil from the throne of God. The best model of a great leader is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is the good shepherd of our soul.

Hidden Hurt

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

People who have been abused or have gone through traumatic experiences have sought to survive and cope with life behind a myriad of defense mechanisms. Some have been ritualistically abused to such an extent that they have no conscious memory of their experiences. Others constantly avoid anything that would stimulate those memories. Unable to process those experiences from the past, they live in denial. Others rationalize or try to suppress the pain with food, drugs or sex.

However, this is not God’s solution for their lives. The psalmist prays to God to search his heart and bring everything to light. God does search and test our hearts. “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer. 17:10). Knowing this, you can always count on God to bring your past conflicts, however suppressed, to the surface at the right time so that everything can be brought into the light to be dealt with.

The first step in God’s answer for repressed trauma is shown here in Psalm 139:23-24. God knows about the hidden hurts within you which you may not be able to see. When you ask God to search your heart, He will expose the dark areas of your past and bring them to light. Not only is God the Healer of our hearts, He is also constantly near to those who are brokenhearted; to restore and lead them back to the path of wholeness. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (147:3). “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (34:18).

Jesus is the light of the world, he who follows Him shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12). As you embrace the truth of God’s Word in your heart today, let His light shine deep into the innermost parts of your life. As you meditate upon His love for you, allow the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor, Comforter and Healer. He wants to restore you completely and lead you back onto the path that leads to His eternal and abundant life.

Adapted from:
http://www.konghee.com/www/2009/10/hidden-hurts/

Testing and Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

God may not be early in delivering a promise but neither is He ever late. He is always right on time. From a promise to its possession, there is usually a process of time that must first lapse. As such, faith to inherit the promises of God alone is not enough. We must mix our faith with patience (Heb. 6:11-12).

1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, andglory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” To God, your faith is more precious than gold. And the only way gold is purified is through fire.

Trials and testings mature our faith. Only when your faith is tested will you know just how strong a believer you are. Trials and testings also develop patience. James 1:3 says that “the testing of your faith produces patience.” The word “produce” in Greek implies a workout like that which develops muscles in a human body. Testings and trials are the workouts God allows into our lives to build strong patience “muscles.” Patience can be defined as the ability to stay constant (or the same) at all times. It is the ability to maintain composure, calmness, stability, persistence and courage in the face of trying circumstances. Patience is therefore not something passive. Patience helps you to keep on walking in faith, which is always active.

What is the definition of testings and trials? A test or a trial is anything that applies pressure on the lusts or desires of the fl esh. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (1:14). Any pressure that draws us away from God’s Word is the beginning of a test. If we then act on that pressure, sin is inevitably the result. But with the power of patience, we can stand fast in our spiritual conviction, regardless of circumstances. Hebrews 10:35-36 says, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” The word “confidence” in Greek means the “freedom of speech.” Patience always has to do with timing. So while you are waiting for your promise to come in the midst of testings and trials, keep on praying, confessing, meditating and praising God.
Persistent faith will be rewarded; it cannot fail.

Adapted from http://www.konghee.com/www/2009/08/testing-trials/#more-4754