Prayer invites an anointing that demonstrates to a watching world that Jesus is not dead. Still, the underemphasized miracle in the Book of Acts is the transformation in the lives of the believers and the community that was cradled in love and defined by truth. That community—holy, humble, unified, full of the Spirit—was a miracle. We need a miracle that transforms the character of the contemporary church and makes us Christlike, loads our branches with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Doug Small
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
More Nehemiah Notes (Ch. 8)
Nehemiah knew that more than rebuilding the wall was required. Revival (recommitment to God’s Word and way) was essential to put the people back on track more than restoring civic life.
He knew there would be no true or lasting success if God wasn’t at the center of his life and everyone he led.
The people he led were in need of the Word desperately. For him, to bring the people to a point of hunger and passion for the Word was essential to their well-being. Just rebuilding the walls would have been a failure if the people had been allowed to continue in ignorance and neglect of the way of God. They would have had to rebuild them again eventually.
There is a time to confront institutional sins but then people have to move forward. Nehemiah was wise to arrest the mourning and point the people to a preferred future. This takes effective leadership. We learn from the past and take a path forward to fulfill God’s destiny for us. We should do this joyfully.
By enlisting Ezra to inspire and inform the people, Nehemiah reveals his leadership skills even more. A leader needs other leaders to come alongside. He made use of all the gifted people that God had provided. A visionary is necessary but he or she needs to understand that they are not alone and don’t have all the gifts.
He knew there would be no true or lasting success if God wasn’t at the center of his life and everyone he led.
The people he led were in need of the Word desperately. For him, to bring the people to a point of hunger and passion for the Word was essential to their well-being. Just rebuilding the walls would have been a failure if the people had been allowed to continue in ignorance and neglect of the way of God. They would have had to rebuild them again eventually.
There is a time to confront institutional sins but then people have to move forward. Nehemiah was wise to arrest the mourning and point the people to a preferred future. This takes effective leadership. We learn from the past and take a path forward to fulfill God’s destiny for us. We should do this joyfully.
By enlisting Ezra to inspire and inform the people, Nehemiah reveals his leadership skills even more. A leader needs other leaders to come alongside. He made use of all the gifted people that God had provided. A visionary is necessary but he or she needs to understand that they are not alone and don’t have all the gifts.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Pack Your Bags
Read this: Pack Your Bags
"Over one hundred years ago the Holy Spirit called the IPHC into existence. Our mission is the Great Commission to send and go. Our heart is the Great Commandment to love everyone with the love of Christ. We have a Vision for 2020, and we invite you to be part of it!"
Amen!
"Over one hundred years ago the Holy Spirit called the IPHC into existence. Our mission is the Great Commission to send and go. Our heart is the Great Commandment to love everyone with the love of Christ. We have a Vision for 2020, and we invite you to be part of it!"
Amen!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Nehemiah Notes (Chapter 5)
If there is no opposition, then it is probably not of the Lord.
The devil has no new tricks. He just recycles with amazing success. Humans just keep believing his lies over and again.
Nehemiah was able to get everyone working. Even priests and nobles were working on the wall.
The biggest enemy may not be the one on the outside. It may be the one within.
Nehemiah lived out of Kingdom values as opposed to worldly or cultural values.
He was a servant-leader.
He understood the importance of relationships and resolved problems wisely and without delay.
The devil has no new tricks. He just recycles with amazing success. Humans just keep believing his lies over and again.
Nehemiah was able to get everyone working. Even priests and nobles were working on the wall.
The biggest enemy may not be the one on the outside. It may be the one within.
Nehemiah lived out of Kingdom values as opposed to worldly or cultural values.
He was a servant-leader.
He understood the importance of relationships and resolved problems wisely and without delay.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Nehemiah Notes (Chapters 1 and 2)
We are currently studying Nehemiah on Wed. nights and these are some practical thoughts I am gleaning from it.
Nehemiah was an effective leader. He was able to lead God’s people in what seemed like an insurmountable task.
He was followed because he was:
• Dissatisfied with the status quo and moved them to also desire escaping it.
• Genuinely burdened for the plight of the people.
• Concerned about God’s glory.
• Manifested confidence in God’s power to make it happen through them.
• Presented a plan that provoked confidence in the people.
He was effective because he:
• Fasted and prayed.
• Believed in God’s power not his own.
• Was prayerful and thoughtful.
• Acted so as to meet the need.
• Carefully proceeded.
• Knew that people would respond to a cause.
• Evaluated the situation to be realistic about it.
• Clearly communicated his vision and plan.
• Knew he needed help from others and enlisted them.
• He was a visionary (saw the future from God’s perspective).
Nehemiah was an effective leader. He was able to lead God’s people in what seemed like an insurmountable task.
He was followed because he was:
• Dissatisfied with the status quo and moved them to also desire escaping it.
• Genuinely burdened for the plight of the people.
• Concerned about God’s glory.
• Manifested confidence in God’s power to make it happen through them.
• Presented a plan that provoked confidence in the people.
He was effective because he:
• Fasted and prayed.
• Believed in God’s power not his own.
• Was prayerful and thoughtful.
• Acted so as to meet the need.
• Carefully proceeded.
• Knew that people would respond to a cause.
• Evaluated the situation to be realistic about it.
• Clearly communicated his vision and plan.
• Knew he needed help from others and enlisted them.
• He was a visionary (saw the future from God’s perspective).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)